The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-01-31

FREDEMcxsBuRG AND BLAcxwArER DBasTrE
AND PoSrooss.---It Is q we'll known fact that the
terrible disasters at these and othec places.
which resulted in such slaughter and Disgrace
to the Union, were caused solely by the nbomi-
nable aboftions called pontoons. We boast Of
our mechanical ingenuity, while, in this par
tieular, all the world is ahead Of IN. Greas
Britain, regardless Of expense, has spent MANY
years in pertecting this important. branch Of
service, and has now decided on her present
admirable system. She has light, corrugated
iron wagon BODY, weighing only three hundred
and fifty pounds. which is indestyuetible Il b
of such dimensions and form as TO serve a
wagon for the transport of the subsistence and
ammunition of the army; as boat, which, In
case of defeat or emergency, can boat the
troops across the river; as a raft TO carry heavy
ordnance; but, most Important Of sil, % .
bridge. They are fseproof and wosmpro0f,
and cannot rot, be destroyed BY heat, or b.
come leaky and heavy by abssEliag wales.
They are as much stronger than wooden body
as iron is stronger than wood. Their conbineA
advantages are concentrated in enc STRUCTURE
which must be always present with the moving
army, as IL carries the food for the tsosps
These wagons are now being sent in large
numbers to our very doors, from the WoeSwioA
Arsenal (Loadon) to Halifax, 10 Quebec and
Montreal, and may, il the administration =
allowed to continue IN It's suicidal course seen
be used against US.
Now where did eur friend John Bull pick -
this system! Did he form "boards Of examine
tion," who waste months and years In useless
bubbles while the armies are being decf-
mated, the pockets of contractors filed, and
fat salaries of inefficient men continued, whes
their time ia spent in political intrigussi
No. John Bull did not originate this system.
1t came from an American, and was perfected
and carried out by an American, and will serve
the English government as effectively a. the
bread we send them will their'poor The came
system is also adopted in Germany and Russia
Now why is it that this, or, if possible, some
better system, was not, immediately after The
wooden scows called pontoons, projected BY
imbeciles under the Secretary Of War, and.
which have carried such desolation 70 every
family?
These delectable scows are thirty-ens and .,
half feet long, planked with seven-eighths CON-
mon pine boards, and loaded with heavy tinbem
and braces The scow or pontoon itself weighs.
one ton, and is constantly Increasing in weight,
by absorbing water. Worms soon destroy
them, as was the ease last October with forty Of
them lying at Hampton Roads one month; and
hundreds Of these worthless wrecks line the
banks of the Potomac and Rappahannock, not
worth picking up by JEFF. Davis. But the worst
Of all is the difficulty, and often tho impossi
biliry, of rapid transportation, SO, great In
move one Of them. We must not lay all the 4
blame on the Secretary Of War. He cannot Sea-
to details in all things. Still he is Responsible
and censurable.for continuing in Office! mea Of Z
the old fogy school, who exhibit such waat o.
common sense in face Of such means for remedy; 4
but we suppose this peculiar institution an
wicked abortion must continue 70 be made 70 4
serve private interests, regardless Of conse
quences, as time is short. According 10 Gree
ley's dostrine, 1.-THE war must endiin May"
Give the army a'fyng poutoon train, which
will follow closely, and, when needed to, cd
vance rapidly to the front and provide means
for crossing before the main body arrives, and
we shall hear no mose Of such defeats, waste
Of treasure and useless slaughter Of our people
The NraGER IN THE MEDIATION SCHnK-
The foot Of the inevitable negro sticks out o.
Greeley's mediation scheme. Greeley wants
the war to so on until May. and then, IL we are
not successful, he insists that we must accept.
1.-THE best attainable peace" Now, that peace