New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-02
The works on the peninsula as the Rebels VIII discover

the works on the peninsula a. the Rebels VII discover
should they venture to attack.
The record Of the movement is but brief one. Fall
ing into line about Saturday afternoon, the troops
marched to Bermuda Hundred bivouacked few hours
commenced embarking transports about o'clock in
the morning and Sunday found the feet quietly steam
ing down the river having started at g. still lonely
day followed and the journey was wholly devoid OF IN
eident the evening finding again at Fortress Mon
roe headed for Yorktown.
All on board settled themselves for a quiet nights
rest; and when morning came. Yorktown and West
Point had been passed. and the next plausible destna
ton was White House.
All that was in sight or the trip the turbid Pa-
munkey hardly measuring more than 200 yards between
its low banks which sometimes edged with woods
and sometimes walled with sand bluffs the bed OF the
railroad ON the right bank, but now cavcd In ana OUT
of use its rails probably having long ago gone 10 repair
the other more important roads, but the naked leie
graph poles remaining patriarchal family o u"rAoS
bowling and swinging their hats-apologies IN theln'
seves-from hut; bends which would not disgrace the
Mississippi in which the vessels behind us were az s
goingn an opposite direction from our own ana some
times forming Glmost complete circle; and occasionally
ruined house. but as on the James when the expedi
ton first went up no Rebels in sight, and hardly Nv
ing thing Nearly everything passed the boat on which
was the Suwanee dirty black hulk. which formerly
pay:gated the Gulf Of Mexcoi but there was comfort IN
the breeze which swept her deck sat on the wheel
house and in the leisure given for observation And
after all there hurry. These trips are ENJOY apie
better than camp life with cooked meals and white
plates and actually beds, into which one crecps won
deringly, having taken off his boots
Nine o'clock came, and singulary enough the river
became straighter and the banks were now lined with
gum or cypress trees. the country beng evidently
swampy. The boats slackencd speed and several
halted lust below point which was just ahead White
House being apparently not far distant Suddenly the
Suvanee was discovered TO be aground though having
struck SO gently that one had felt any shock Then
came the usual hustle and confusion. Men were or
dcred aft; 10 the starboard side; TO the port side
de-whee tug came up and pulled at US; propeller
came up and did likewise with no effect except to
swing the bow around about eight feet and finally both
went on and left US with only the transport Webster In
sight. which was also afound fifty feet behind u.s. We
had run on spit which makes ont from small Island
ust astern, in new channel and, although there was
depth enough on either side with no prospect OF get
ting of till unloaded.
Two hours passed In vain pulling. Meanwhile the
Webster which only touched lightly had released her
self and the transferred to her deck and the
two tugs again pulled without avail; it was ebb tide
and the vessel settling deeper The remainder OF
the men were taken on board the Webster and the
horses on ferryboat and Y. the unlncky Suwanee
was left to be 1oated off the next tide.
Rounding the next point further up the Webster
came 10 stop not aground again, but in doubt as to
the channel and repeatedly dropping the lead. tug
passed down. directing to push on with all speed
the ferry boat now coming on with the horses was
ordered TO take the lead. and the boat followed.
Shortly we passed the propeller General Lyon aground
Yesterday in the James, now again fast She called 70
the tug which was following but for reason the
boat went by without going to her assistance.
The width of the river changed proceeded first
narrow then wide again. Presently We passed ferry
boat which had grounded in trying TO cut across q
corner the same propcers which pulled at the Su'
little time before was tugging at her. ground
ing several times herself and passed by tie pro
peer gave up the trial. and the ferry boat was aban
doned to the fate Of the Suwanee. Had there been
single gun the point where the latter met her mshap
she might have been ridded; had the guerras been
aware that the feet coming. they might have done
great mischief from the wooded banks but nobody fired
q shot and nothing worse than curious eyes were lev
eled at the boats.
But the voyage TO DO chapter Of accidents after
oil At O'Clock the Webster suddenly stopped with
JOLT barge which che towing alongside broke its
ashings end dashed ahead few feet the wheels throw
up mud which was seen even in yellow water The tug
behind MS came up with Gen. Ames and staff on board
took tie barge and left U.S. But five minutes work with
the wheels unexpectedly released and started on
passing propeller fast aground Headed with troops
some of whom sporting in the river. We moved
very slowly for hafa mile and then in bend which the
river makes TO the right the railroad crossing
it and barring further navigation on the opposite
south bank were the ruins Of the White House,
and at O'Clock the transfer by water was ended.
wv