, 1864-07-14
From our Special Correspondent
In FRONT OF PETERSBURG, Virginia,

kET0W our optCidl AOfgESpOuQent.}
July Vtb, 4G64.
THE REBEL DIVERSION FOR THE RELIEF OF
RICHMOND.
The news of the appearance Of consider
able force Of the enemy on the Upper Poto-
mac for the apparent purpose Of an invasive
movement into Maryland, did not reach this
army until night before last, owing to tenn.
porary Interruption OF telegraphic communi-
cation with Washington. 1t caused neither
great surprise nor anything like CONSERVATION
at headquarters. A diversion of this kind WAS
expected ever since It was known that part
Of Lees army had been detached to operate
against Hunter, and that the latter Was be-
yond its reach in the southwestern part of the
State. No apprehension is felt, that this
demonstration will prove very formidable
md compel modification OF the present in
tcntions Of General Grant With the Army Of
the Potomac. Unless those in charge of the
secret service are certainly ut 1ault IS to their
information In regard to the strength of the
force that moved down the Shenandoah VAL
ley, the troops at the disposal of the Govern
partnents OF Washington and Western Vir-
gina ought to to be sufficient to check it.
OF this the people Of the North mag rest u.s.
sured: General Grant will hold fast to his
present line Of operations and follow up his
object Of working his ~ay into the rebel cap
itaI, no matter what movements the enemy
mny atteinpt to draw the main body of bis
army away from the vicinity Of Richmond.
II there be fears in the North that the ex-
perieDce OF the summer Of 81 will be re-en-
acted, they are entirely unfounded. The de-
velopmcnts of the next fortnight will prove
that am correct in this. Even though the
greater part Of Lees army should re.cross
operations, secured at such great sacrifices,
Will not be abandoned. OF the former con-
tfpgency, however, there Is as yet not the
slightest Indication.
Soldiers are extremely fond of variations
In the course Of their adventurous career.
The country about Petersburg is absolutely
destitute Of all attractions. The heat CON
fsllcn in the last three4weeks. The drought
has reduced the ground to a sea Of deep dust.
Life In the trenches is eIhAustIng, monoto-
nous, disgusting, dangerous, without the
grand impulses OF battle. For all these rea-
sons it is not to be wondered that strong
deeire tor change Is prevalent throughout
The army. While the occasion is regretted,
yet there would be little lamcntation if this
scene Of desolation was abandoned, and .
region more "pleasing to the eye and more
promising to the stomach" such as South
eastern Pennsylvania or Western Maryland,
tions ofthis army
While, as have stated, no enterprise the
enemy can possibly undertake, will Induce
General Grant to abandon the line of the
Jnmes, yet, as we cannot incur any risk In
regard to the safety Of Washington, certain
NOV oTementB meant to insure the latter more
fully arc now making by parts Of this army.
They are, however, small parts, aud this
movement will not affect the situation here
abouts to any material extent. Of course l
cannot express myself more explicitly on this
subject at the present time.
GETTING Rid OF THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN
FOUND WANTING.
AZ It is always the case IN other campaigns,
Q vast number ot instances Of de1e ictlons oi
duty by officers and men have occurred since
the army marched ont from Culpepper.
Among the many new regiments that made
the campaign with 1t, especially, a great many
cases of tncompetency and neglect of duty
hare occurred. To rid the army Of worth
lees officers and punish enlisted men, court
and brigade during the last fortnight AZ a
1ule, their findings have been veIY severe
particularly those against officers charged
| with cowardfce,> of whom, ] regret to say,
there were goodly number. In this respect,
several OF the heavy artillery regiments, now
STRIVING as infantry In various divisions, have
! acquired a sort of negative distinction. The
| shoulder st1aps-rtducti0D to the rnnks-
however, is still not inflicted US vigorously
| as 1t should be. To be cashiered, even If at-
tended with the diRgrace OF the breaking Of
swords and tearing of Of shoulder stfapa
| and buttons in front OF their commands, hils
| little effect upon such, SO destitute Of man.
hood and honor Us to exhibit their poltroon-
cry before the eyes Of their subordinates.
PERFECTION OF OUR BASE.
The rapidity with which secondary buses
have been creAted In this campaign u truly
| wonderful. When the army arrived on the
south side Of the river three weeks ago. and
! City Point was made the main landing and
Gepot, there was not the slightest trace OF
any facilities for landing, unloading or ship.
ping to the port Now the NORTH bank is
lined with substantial wharycs for nearly a
mile. sto1ehouecB are going up as though
| by magic. The railroad has been repaired to
point as Dear to the front as practicable,
aud is In complete working order. The
Quartermasters Department ie. indeed, man
Grant has on several occasions expressed hia
high satisfaction with the perfection Of its
ypst operations to Gen. Ingalls,.
An immense general field hospital has been
established On the James Riyer, about one
mile from City Point, close to the main road
to the 'front.' 1t covers nearly square mile
Of ground, and contains nearly six hundred
| large sized tents, with ommodations for
nearly six thousand patients. Surgeon Dali
ton, chief medical officer Of the army has
the chief superintendeuce- A convenient
landing Is near by, at which wharves have
also been constructed for hospital boats.
One or two Of these are despatched daily.
Owing to the nearness Of the main road the
patients suffered considerably from dust.
| ThiA draw buck to their comfort has been re-
moved within the last few days by the arri-
val Of several steam-pumps from Washing.
ton, and the erection of Wnter-tanks, from
which water is conducted through pipes tc
every part Of the hospital To develop reg
nlar s. stem Of watcr-works IN less than {
week for this email city of 1nvalids is certain
ly creditpble performance.