The New York herald., 1863-02-20
HOOKER,s Army.
Strike OF the Newspaper ven
HkADouARrsxs. Array oS TIE Pom

oro., tle number VI newsboys to for each
div,s,oa y Tescindsd.
Inc stitement OF a New York Journal or Wednesday
at the Provost Marshal General had prohibited the sale
Of newspapers, and ordered the agent back to Aqua
CREEKS without foundation in truth. No prohibtivs
orders r>ative 10 the sale OF newspapers have been
sued from the headquarters OF the Army Of the Potomac
Our white Oak Church Correspond encs.
NEAaVVHHE OAK CHURCH, Va, Feb. 10, 1868.
Ns,c Po~tosn Bca,.Ensati'foctory BaooninS- -Eed,n
Weaknes, Of tie kaeA p-Daiiy Air,rols Of Lads in the
Army--Prospea Of Anoster Sncce1fn Rebel Raid-How
Ae Rebels Get Taer Naes>- Tsr Conple Knootesse Of
Al Our Mocemrns- -6eneyafRoSsr on The Right 7ract-
Our Pickefs Giring Inflammation % the Enemy, dc.
Great excitement created hare during the last day
two owing to rumored movement in advance Of our
pontoon trains. On inquiry learn thai the movement
nothing more than the retarningof condemned pom
Belle Plain and the arrival Of the ones
which are their substitutes
The enemy in front Of have t~en ssecrtainef to be
very weak in numbers. The balloon makes It's usual
carly morning ascensoos II the aeronaut any
thing Of interest he has very profound way OF keeping
Il TO himself
II this army could only be shut OF from eon,munl
with Washington for ono month am could wipe
the remnants OF the rebel force those fatal heights
with little effort but nothing eau be done with the
army while we are SO pear the capisaI by rail
and steamer Our generals arc unfortunate ia
being enough to the Secretary oil War have all
their orders and their plans thwartsd
not To mention the resde plans Of campaign which the
telegraph constantly pours into their
Yesterday raned hard and the roads were soon cut
up but 10 day have 1t clear and cold and ranspota
tion has become comparatively easy
the train which arrived ut Falmouth last evening
from Aqna cresk there twenty three ladies' mostly
the wives OF coionels who were bent on max ne their
husbands visit They not TO bc envicd, however;
for owing 10 the want Of proper conveyance they were
Obliged 10 tramp through the mud In all their nnery aud
In the midst of chilling drizzle o ram.
A paroled rebel surgeon, who captured by our
forces during one of STARTS recent raids on the
train. =, rots TO tho rebel aide Of the river am tcd
that this officer who Of great intelligence aud
deep observation, was under no restraint whatever and
during the whole trip 10 Falmouth stood at the door Of
the freight IN which he placed and observed the
disposition troops along the railroad with cha
racter OF the deenccs doubtless made this
pretty accurate estimate OF our forces in that direction
All the important facts thus gained will be doubtless given
70 General Lee. There will be another cavalry raid. some
body VIII be scared, some one hurt; poiticinns VIII
wrangic generals recrminate, aud then, when every
body IL Of breath and nobody Is proven 10 blame
there will be subsding of tho wordy storm. and Rip
Van Wrinkle like the army will draw its nightcap over IT.
eyes and turn for another nap.
Really II Is criminal after what experience our officers
have had to their cost that passage o our lines should
be allowed an open enemy with such chances oil observa
ton have not the slightest doubt but that one man
has gained by his careless observation mere perfect
knowledge OF forces their strength and weakness
than has been communicated TO the rebels by all their
numerous spss for month past.
II must be granted that the enemy have greatly the
advantage of US In the desideratum of veiabe SPIES
THIS proceeds from necessity for we are In campaign
where the very earth we tread Is our enemy and would
betrav us.
may say with truth that not tho slightest movement
Of troops has occurred here during the past month
but that tho enemy has had the news before Il reached
the Northern papers.
AS evidence this the next day after the departure
OF the Ninth corps for Fortress Monroe tho following con
versaton passed between the pickets the KaPIa
hammock Two three unarmed rebels came down TO
the waters edge and hailed our men, who were making
themselves comfortable about their nre;-
kEHEI>-Sayl HclO' where's them other fellows Who
were here last week.
UsIoS-l don't know.
RkHN~-We want TO give them some tobacco.
USoS-whai did they belong TO-
RKsu,--Don't know. We want to pay them FOR
K Ukps-oh they belong to the Ninth corps, theyn he
out again to morrow. -
know that.
Now, whether the enemy gained this knowlcdgc from
men who had boon In the habit of visiting and
receiving visits from the rebels picket duty Is
ter q doubt This fact coming TO General Hooker ears
however, apparently impressed him with the idea that
something OF this kind might be going Hence his late
orders forbddipg all communication with the piokes q
the enemy.
WHITE OAK CHURcH, Va, Feb, l.. 1913
Sno.o Storm Ragag-7he Nm Copfoda1ic--Cap,rs of
Deserteys-- What WM BE- Dons with MeDs--Cmdproyag
A0a'n--7ae Enemy Qssid. &C.
To-day another storm, though in variation IL
one OF snow instead of rnin.
All hopes Of the roads attaining good degree OF soldy
buried tor month more at least.
when noticed the effect OF the last three days
Of fine weather the travelling, sangune enough
oforesee "auspcious moment at least within week
but the white mantle which today shrouds hill and val
ley Is sufficient contradiction OF my extravagint pro
phcsy.
Being well prepared for 1t. however. tho manifest
uneasiness In regard to the storm or s probable
efocts the future of the army Tie weather
brings them respite from their usual dris such of
thoIn unfortunate enough 10 be guard duty
the time pleasantly In their comfortable huts
either singing, taking or playing cards.
Yesterday passed the road to Famouth party of
hfty deserters, representing an almost equal
Der of regiments ia the army. They we're guarded by
sarai Of mounted men, from one Of whom learned that
-four days, attempting to cross the Potomac their
why North.
Many OF these men had been supplied with suits OF Cit
zens clothing of the peculiar fashon and color generally
By the enlightened Inhabitants OF virginia while
others had boldly rked the penalty of dcsertion IN the
bright uniform OF the Iousves the unrntakable blue
Of Uncle Sans peculiar livery.
The appearance u the party for these reasons the
opposite of brilliant III fact my first impression
that people had made fresh capture of chlyalry
Ibis corps IL now the only one within sight Of the
enemy all the rest d the army having been moyed back
a mie moro from the river.
The rebels keep their forces well concealed bu,
ourselves Rightly by observing the glare Of their
camp Dres which iumine the sky beyond the heights
noting he spots where the ncrcer go. 5erays the
posting of tho greater forces.
All sounds and signs of jnbntlon on the part q the
enemy hav. ceased There Is more of the cheering
and band play ing which formerly betokenei the presence
front of armed traitors. They doubtless
lightning cloud and breAihiess await IL burst