Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-24

brief description Of some Of the local
tiles which are just now mentioned in
every dispatch from the Virginia battle
field may help your readers to more per-
feet understanding, in the future, OF events
in that quarter. First then, as to
BELLE PLAIN.
Belle Plsin is simply landing ear the
mouth Of Potomac Creek, within sight of
the Potomac River, improVised by the
government for army emergencies. There
is not single house within mile Of the
landing, and the wharf is a rude, rough
affair, sffording only the poorest facilities
for landing troops or supplies. At this
point all General Grants supplies are re-
oeived by transports from Washington,
and are sent hence in wagons to the front
over twenty miles away. immediately
back Of the landing 8 range Of hills
stretches away to the east in abrupt pre-
cipitous angles, with deep rsvines ribbing
their sides, through which roads have been
constructed, along which the immense
trains climb with difficult ascent, often
oVerturning, sometimes breaking down
utterly.
The scene in the ofing from Belle Plain
is full Of life and animation; wheeling,
putting tugs founder about the landing;
steamers and gunbosts lie at anchor half
mile away, in the Potomac, receiving
loads Of wounded or unloading supplies
sr d hospital stores; now and then trans
port, crowded to the waters edge with
fresh troops, all cheering and singing
battle songs, or heavily laden with horses
and artillery, stesms through the feet and
glides to the lsudinE, while occasionally
an iron.clsd thrusts its oRniVerous, tur-
tie shaped presence into the hsrbor, look
ing for torpedoes, and keeping g fstherly
watch over the brood Of wooden craft.
Added to sll this, you see fst-bosts and
dug-outs dsrtiog here and there, mostly
propelled by the strong arm II muscular
negroes, the boats carrying ficers to and
fro or hurryinE with dispatches to the lit
tie vessels employed by the government
to carry Intelligence. This is what you
see at Belle Plain-ss busy, bustling, pop
ulous place, consi ering 1t has neither
houses, streets nor citizens, as any you
viii find out Of Virginia.
FREDERICKSBURG.
Fredericksburg lies on the Rsppshsn-
mock river, nine miles from Belle Plain,
with which it is connected by two main
roads, and just now by score or so of sV
snues constructed for the existing emer-
gencies The country sll the way between
these points is stripped entirely bare OF
fences, stock and products Of whatever de-
soription and in the entire distance do
not remember to have seen more than six
houses. The oovntry ia rolling and un-
al
heights there is not anywhere in all that
region 8 space Of half mile Of level land.
Between the Plain and Fredericksburgh,
breadth Of half mile or SO has been
swept entirely clear Of trees, and is now
pierced by rosds--rosds running in all
manner Of tortuous, winding angles, look
ing at distance like SO many great white
serpents winding in g reckless lsngle over
the bold hills-rosds with three or four
tracks running abreast and roads so mar
row, steep, and one sided as to almost i'm.
psssable for q single team. II is over these
roads our immense trains make their way,
and thousands Of wounded also, at risk Of
life and limb and have been principally
transported to Belle Plain. The main
road is strongly guarded with strong pick
cts at every imT ortsnt point, but small
gangs Of guerrillss have, nevertheless,
managed to make one or two successful
dashes, Capturing q few mules and fright
ening some timid pedestrians.
The population Of Fredericksburg was
formerly about six thousand at this time
there are only two or three fsmilies re-
naming in the place. Immediately back
Of the town are the celebrated Heights
ich Burnside so gallsntly attacked over
q year ago, and along which the fortigcs.
tions created By the rebels still extend.
The railroad bridge over the Rsppshan-
mock is still broken down, and passage is
effected on pontoon bridge ct the lower
end Of the town. Last Sunday several sd-
ditional pontoons passed through here I;
does that mean that there are streams be-
yond our present position that Grant
means to CROSS