The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-17
Correspondence New York Herald.
HEADQUARTERs DEPARTMENT WEST VIzeINIA, I
STANTON, Va, June IA. NJ !
PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.
Before surprising the enemy General
Hunter took occasion to originate more
than little surprise "at home" by ex-
peditiously relieving every officer and
man of his tent and baggage, as also all
articles not absolutely necessary on the
line of march contemplated Besides
this there was a general notification
that after a specified number of days
rations had been exhausted, the troops
would be required to subsist on what
could be foraged in the section of coun-
try through which they were about to
pass. General Hunter announced in
plain terms that it was of the utmost
Importance that this army should be
placed in condition for immediate eff
cheney To this end he explained how
we were contending against an enemy
who were deeply in earnest; and how,
if we expected to secure a complete
success, we must be deeply in earnest
too. In referring to the lieutenant
general commanding the armies of the
United States, he pointedly made men,
ton OF the fact that General Grant ex-
pected much of the column operating
in the great valley, as also of the other
column cooperating with it, and added
there must be no dissppoirtments By
this latter announcement both officers
and men knew what was expected of
them in the event of a heavy battle,
and prepared themselves accordingly.
In commercially short space of time
what were deemed superhuities were
sent to the rear, and we were then in
readiness for the forward march.
The first move was made from the
neighborhood of Cedar Creek, (the To-
cality 10 which Sigel retired subsequent
to encountering Breckenridge to with
in two miles of Woodstock Here the
main army made a short halt In the
interim a reconnaissance was sent out;
but as it found no formidable force on
our front, such was the report forward
ed to headquarters, we prepared to and
did go on. Upto this time the column
under Gen. Hunters immediate direc-
ton had met with no serious opposition
nor overtaken more of the dire calam-
tiles of war than are attached to an
occasional bushRhack, and few strag-
Cling shots directed against the ex-
treme advance.
ENEMY IN THE REAR
Yet it was in the rear the enemy had
this time chosen TO annoy US. Detach-
ments from several rebel commands,
including a small number of men from
the noted Mosby's forces, were sent to
interrupt our communication with the
headquarters Of the reserve division at
Martinsburg. In truth, it must be
stated the rebels were partially success
full in carrying out their designs. They
,made prisoners Of one or two couriers,
fred on single parties and small COM
mands of mounted men, and destroyed
some bridges, besides attacking and
burning train of wagons while on its
way 10 the front, loaded with ordnance
and other stores. In this attack we
lost both in killed and prisoners Hav-
ing the coast clear, one command of
rebels took occasion TO infict brutali-
ties on some of our men who fell into
their hands as prisoners Of war. II is
to be hoped that the conduct of these
partisan rangers will be examined into
by those authorized to act in behalf of
the United States, and that a prompt
and judicious course will be pursued
in retaliation that viii surely have the
effect of preventing repetition of acts
similar to these complained Of
ONWARD MOVEMENTS
On occupying Woodstock we found
the majority of the citizens seemingly
very friendly. toward US If they did
not exactly open their hearts, at least
some of them opened their doors TO all
those who desired 70 enter But this
was before they became aware Of the
peculiar manner in which we were re-
peating an advance up the valley
When they learned we had come with
no sugar or coffee 10 spare them, bat, on
the contrary, TO unceremoniously accom-
mOdate our wants from every mans lar
der, long faces and pious expressions Of
cOuntenance soon took place Of win
ming smiles and cheerful looks, while
words not more forcible than elegant fell
from lips that might better havebeen en-
gagged IN prononuncing a prayer, and
had, doubt but recently opened" ION
the hns' Of the tender passions Indeed