The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-06-03
Mr. John A. Braay's Despatch.

HEADQUARTERS, EianrEgSrn ARMY CORPS. I
In THE FIELD, May 81, 1864
Once again At tho White House. Two years ago, when,
with the army Of Mcclellan, visited this place, It was
ieeming with n'e the meadows OF mud were dcnsey
crowded with tents and suffers and purveyors doing
n arriving business. When looked out upon the place
yesterday morning I could scarcely recognize IT, The
wharf and railroad bridge both destroyed, the old
familiar trees cut down. and the boundess oceans OF mud
converted into plains OF waving verdure.
FORTRESS MONROE
An hour after midnight we started from Fortress Mon.
roe without any knowledge OF our destination. Many
the shrowd guesses hazaded by veteran guesses
whose three years. experience in the army has made
thcr opinions almost nfable and before retired for
the night the opinion had become almost unanimous that
destination would prove to be White House. The
Me,amora the fagboat OF General Smith, took the ad
up the Chesapeake and at day the feet had
cougregated u front OF Yorktown
up TIE RIVER.
Hore the gunboat Morse, Captain Babcock, took the
lead and, followed by tho entire expedition, commenced
the ascent Of the river West Point was reached in
few hours and force being landed to proceed overland
the remainder OF the expedition moved up the Pamun
key The morning was beautiful, and the scene upon
the winding river, boat followed boat 10 single dle
Ike Indians upon the trail was that has seldom
been surpassed. There were many ruined aud deserted
srar campaign. Here and there however, house could
m be found occupied and apparently in good order and
The appearance OF lady at a window or on balcony
would be the signal for the eveng OF every Geld glass
ia tho feet.
wurrB HorsE
White House was reached az noon; but every facility
for landing found to have been completely destroyed
Cen Brooks nagboat run up the ruins Of what
been tho wharf and made fast detail was landed with
dmcuy and was soon engaged In rcpsnkng the bridge
With railroad ties Tho railroad bridge which had been
crossed By sheridan bis late raid, found 10 have
been completely destroyed by tho rebels aud the corps
Of engineers Immediately at work upon a. assisted
by tho One Hundred and Thirty ninth New York Three
hours after landing great change cIooted 10 the
appearance Of the place. II again became tho White
House OF Mcclellan, with tho OF busy life aud its
nnumerabo baihers. Al night the railroad bridge pre-
sen,ed OF those fascinating scenes n camp life that
look we'll canvass, but which are too disagreeaby
practical TO please the actors An enormous Gro lighted Up
the end OF the bridge. and the men working with and
lever In is red garo presented an uneashy appearance
one or two who stood in water their waists attracted
attention by their unqnc uniforms being clothed iu caps
and trarwood pipes.
COMMUNICATES wrn GRAFT.
Shortly after our arrival heavy cannonadng was heard
IN tho direction Of Hanover giving evidence Of Grants
vicinity Al dark three orderies arrived at headquarters
from General Meade They reported that General Grant
had been lighting the rcbels MI tho morning, and that
his advance was within nine miles OF Richmond, after
having driven Lee seven miles.
DEATH op LIEUTENANT uuvr.
Lieutenant Hunt, Of Hunts battery, Fourth United
States artillery was drowned night before last while
coming down from Bermuda Hundred. Tho Lieutenant
with his battery, was on board the transport spaudnz
and walked overheard in his sleep, whom fow miles DO
low City Point His body has not yet been recovered
The loss OF this gallant and popular ooer has cast
gloom upon the whole corps.
Reports OF Rebel Prisoners.
ILLNESS or THs REBEL GENERAL EwELt-GrNFRkr
EARLY IN COMMAND OF MS coRPs.
WAsuisEoS, June 2, 1860
Nsrth Carolina soldiers voundad and hrought into Tho