Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-14

Corrsspondsnes Of the NsU York Tribune.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC

Corrssp0ndsncs Of the NsN York Tribune
HEADQUARTERS ARMY THE Potomac
Before Petersburg, july 8, 1864
Still rain Every afternoon, the clouds gathering IN
dark masses in the West encourage delusve hopes of
copous supply of the aqueous fluid but night and
wanes without bringing the ongedor condescension. The
sum- bleared and dimmed by thick suocatng clouds of
dust looks down upon vegetation parched withered and
dropping in the heated atmosphereupon every thing ami
mate or inanmate but all enveloped in ubiquitous dust
The men lying the trenches opposite the city although
sharing the deadly peril Of shot and she'll probably suffer
less from the dust and heat than those whose duties call
them toward the Excavations in the sides OF earth
works. and shelters formed BY pieces of canvass or pine
bouRhs to protect the men from the scorchng rays
of the SUM- and although within unpleasantly close
proximity rebel sharpshooters they to pass time
by indulgng In social games with their comrades or by
DOING away in their coverts many weary hour. But
the intelligence Of suspicious movements the part Of the
enemy Ia always to find them prepared for attack or
defence The keen consciousness of their perous position
renders them wary and vgan and at the first alarm no
matter at what hour the tweDyour it may occur every
man is found in his place.
The eighty eighth anniversary OF our national indepen
dence passed off quietly and with no opposing demonsra-
tions national salute fired during the day along
Buffers line which met with response from the enemy
battery Of Parrot guns stationed, near Gen. Smiths
headquarters, at noon opened the salute dropping at in
every State had been represented The only visible result
of the salute the raising of vast cloud of smoke and
dust the streets of the town.
The various hospitals received extra attention from the
Commissions Oh the Fourth, who distributed bountiuy
canned fowls and lemonade among the sick and wounded
addition to their usual issues Of pickles, onions ees
cake, wines, &C. Never until have soldiers
fully appreciated the benefacons of these noble societies
and the fact that considerable amount of sanitary stores
found their way the the trenches should de-
tract from their merits when it is known that every thing
within the scope of their ability done.
The report that communication is completely sspered be-
t,oeen Petersburg and Richmond incorrect although it is
doubtless somewhat interrupted Several batteries
mand the road at certain points but trains still rregu
ar the long range rendering the running Of the blockade
comparatively safe Most of the trains, however pass
through during the night On the afternoon Of the 4th
instant rebel train, consisting of fourteen cars loaded
with troops and having battery board moved from
Petersburg toward Richmond, successfully running the
gauntlet of mortar battery Smiths line Understand
ing the Importance of retaining possession of this railroad
the enemy have probably taken every to guard
against an attack on part.
But little artillery firing has occurred for three days past
although moderate picket firing is still kept the right
Our batteries generally occupy commanding positions and
usually succeed in sencng the guns Of the enemy and
around Port Clifton which is being strengthened nightly