Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-24

The Camps lejore Petersb"rg-4hs 1cp0-
qrapky Of the Regioa-En;ent and Nature %
the Northumberland Of The Army, DC.
An army correspondent of the New York Com
mercial Advertiser, who, with number Oh oncels
and soldiers returning to the 'front.' departed ron
this city in Government transport steamer Oh tne
18th instant, gives, in series OF several letters
dated respectively on the 10th, 18th, 18TH, ana
10th instant, very interesting account OF ms 'fp
up the Jamas River, including Description u
City Point and its surroundings, and OF tue wpo.
grsphy of the country and the nature ana e1'en'
of the Notifications of army in front OF
burg. We copy the following:
THE TRIP DOWN THE POTOMAC
Alter pleasant sail down the Potomac and Chesapeake
il the Government steamer Dictator ma myself o. In
point restng an hour while the boat gen READY 10
the James The scenery Of the Potomac ailer Pa'Ds
Fort Washington and Mount Vernon monotonous Auu
lame to degree not only wearisome but posil'ey
full Excepting the few light ships and other vessels
anchored in ths rysr there was scarcely single nuca
ton OF life or civilization on either shore more 'n'
The frat white man passed up the Potomac mo sun WON
down about two hours after leaving Washington anu oi
four long weary hours did strain my eyes hof.n"
southwark to catch, If possible, the GUNNER % '"p
shore but in only two cases could succeou'
creek was searched to purpose Matthias ronl ooAe
bare and barren Port Tobacco lay too Tar up 10 DC d
eerned from the deck Of steamboat SO we passed on
ward for over siIty miles.
Our boat is laden with troops returning 10 Inc oh''
after having enjoyed their urough and saved their country
At the polls The priyAtes have the lower deck 10 the
.slyss or rather what not proroceupsd by boxes OF
barrels On the upper deck ia whole battalion OIL ON
GERS from second lieutenant up TO major general Among
thsss il Major Gen Burnside route to The 'front.' ~ u
SID to resume command Of hs old corps, shd piopaD
for prominent part In the great movement WHICH
s1pscted before long notice, also, Brig Cen smith, OF
Ohio who il young enough aud good looking enough W
add many stars 10 the one which ornaments
sach shoulder As to the cooneis majors captains ana
the smaller fry Of sutsnants not their names reeoaeo
10 the War Department ct Washington Then We nave
civilians two three ubiquitous correspondent sules
old men, gray to visit their sck soma or to bring nome
their remains. Altogether the company is varied and sui
neientIy pleasant to make the time pass agreesbiy
SCENE. ON JAMES RIVER
Entering Hampton Roads at sunrise this morning, QGth
tie scene enchanting the frat of Old Sol shone
upon the water the ships and steamers lying at anchor
with the venerable fortress on right Several guaboati
were lying there apparently ready to turn their proWs To-
ward Richmond when the word of command should &c
forth. .......
We passed up stream during the forenoon Above New
port News we have repetition OF the same monotony
which characterized the banks of The Potomac The chan
mel Is exceedingly oruous even IN the lower part OF Tue
James, and az we are brought close TO this shore or hst
we observe the Of dresrness Chimney stacks
are left standing alone which stood neat door 10
comfortable habtaons Back from the riger occasionally
be planters residence bat no smoke arises OF
sny other symptom Of human life and activity On James
leland near The old church ruins sone do observe hu
hstn and
cur frieuds stationed there to give friendly warning
suerrss to keep of From the low and bare surface
Hog Island arise hs dozen roofs but whether those
the hoepens or the negro quarters deponent saa NOT
The woods are nearly as green now a. they were II
July and form pleasing contrast with the sonpre up
pssrance OF the Northern forests which have lett behind
The day il lovely the shining in coudlen sky ana
slight breeze blowing from the northwest. boats az
psss,DQ up stream in considerable MISUNDERSTANDING
laden heavily with soldiers tugs pulling up their hall
DOZEN Of bsrges and schooDe all full of the various kind
freight needed BY such army "a is eacamped beior
Richmond. A general impression seems to prevail tia
we are on the eve Of highly important events The Rich
pond papers are becoming alarmed about Sherman comm
that wsy from Atlanta and shoud not wonder II the
hsd good reason for their fears.
Halfway up the James the green pine woods give plsc
partly to the white oaks and other varieties oil hard wood
which have doHed their dresses About ten mile
teow City Point we came under the guns OF Fort Pow
hstsp built on the southern side Of the ryer at pon
vhere the James makes sharp bend and narrows to
quarter Of mile or The fort 10 sufficiently iormdabl
TO keep The rebel, al respectful distance and protec
yss,ss Gu tie river II at this point that the grea
kody Of Grants army crossed last summer Two monitor
and some sunboats lay close and from this bend upws
the signs Of warrke preparations become more nunerou
and distinct than Lsiore On the fort 10 signal station
ffty feet high on which light is kept burning during tn
night
At Harri,on's Landing, few nles higher up we ioun'
AZ eucaupment Of Union troops The old plantation aD'
tie adjoining premises chow marks of being sufficient,
well cut up and usual the trees are disappearing will
tina fences sll around the camp
CITY PoIsT AS n NOW Is.
City Point bs. also undergone it, changes during ht
last sI months A port Of Petersburg and Richmond
always accessible TO 6t casa yesses the place had one
large and rather belonging to rebel D.
who decamped about the time Gen Butler made his
rsnopious visit up the river. Other houses weretwo
three Of shabby sentee appearance, about dozen poor
cottage, for white people, and many hut. for the bipe
dsl property The "bg house beautifully embower
ed amopg fruit and shade trees Of which the greater part
have long since disappeared large hotel hospital build
inss stores shops aud Offices Of various kinds rising
all along the plateau beside hundreds Of soldiers tents
hu' oil logs and board At the base of the bluff the Gov
eminent has erected several large buildings which line the
wharf socsed) and adoin the railroad now open to the
D..n