The New York herald., 1864-06-17

sdsqsAssly supplied with guns sd ammunition, though
are wholly destitute Of these articles Of war.
IwrNs this despatch upon the United States steamer
Victor. Capitals spiesr commanding The Victor thir-
teen hundred and ty tons burthsn, built q Mystic,
COnnscticut, and . splendid vessel IN al respects.
indebted 70 capan Spcsr and the Purssr Mr. Barney,
for faees which rsportorai quill drivers never forget
Jum lA-l N.
sHs SCENE AZ FORT rownArAs,
and throughout al the adassut vicinity to-day, on both
the south and north sides Of the James river h exceed
mgly lively. General Grants army n approaching, and
al this life and tedious activity b incident 70 the con-
struotion laying Of the pontoon bridges, under the
superiptendance Of General wstse for the transit OF the
troops 20 the south bank OF the James, where at point
Just shove Fort Powhatan, and In sight Of that for
tincstton, . detachment. consisting Of Company A,
Ffteth New York Engineers, Colonel W. b. Petts,
under the Immediate command Of Captain James
l.. Robbins and Lieutenant Joseph Burdiu, are
indstrously engaged in perfsctng tho laying Of the
bridges, while Captain w. Brown and second Leuten.
ant John Aen Of the Tenth United States colored inan
try with hundred aud fifty men, well advanced
In the construction Of important roads leading TO various
points, the naming OF which might be deemed contra
band On the north bank Of the James, just opposite OF
Captain Robbins operations detachment OF serrell's
Engineers, under Lieutenant James Baldwin, are con-
structng log crib road ground, TO connect
with the bridge being laid by Captain Robbins This is
the work which General Grants army viii first meet after
crossing the Chckahominy. All this business involves
great labor, and the exhibition Of tensiona patience
which quality Of tho human character Generals Barnard
and Wezsl abundantly possess. II is for this reason
that all the work goes smoothly The laying OF pom
tooD bridge involves the placing OF the OF the bridge
nearly possible perpendicular to the direction OF tho
current OF the stream which ID determined by precp
tating floating body into the stream sought TO be
brdged at point where the current is strongest ana
~ II floats down is made with two boat hooks
on line AZ nearly perpendicular as can be deter
mined by tho eye Then tho train or transports
unloaded, and the pontoops launched. Tho abut.
ments are then constructed, a raft having pre-
viousiy been built, and loaded with separate tres
ties caps, legs, balks and anchors, q detail Of men
beng made convey the chesses. To dismansle pom
toon bridge water COURSE the side rails must be
removed the chess taken up spring lines cast off, cables
tended balks removed and anchors taken up The dis
mantpg work is finally accomplished by taking up the
restles by reverse Of the process used In laying them
down, the taking up Of the abutments ana disconnecng
the ashings bridge Of this sort will be duly finished
few hours this despatch Is being perused in
New York General Grants army will have safely crossed
and progressed far It's destination. The day most
unexceptouable one being Of those medium days
when the heat aud the cold evenly distributed and
the health Of the troops enhanced thereby.
mr.. Charles III. Hannam's Dispatches.
HEADQUARTERS, In THE FIELD, June "A, 1864.
QUIET AGAIN.
Yesterday everything was perfectly quiet N and
around position, the only exception being little
firing from the rebel lines weitzels Monument They
did not however, succeed in hitting either the signal sta
anything else except mother earth where their
percussion shells foil with loud "thud" and failed 70
explode, but raised heavy cloud OF dust
A STORY.
Near Bermuda Hundred there 10 large corral, where
all the disabled and worn out horses-brought here by
General Sheridan after his famous raid-are confined
Tho poor beasts have apparently but little OF their org
nal vigor left. That was what We thought week or
more since. Now We have changed our opinion During
heavy firing right short time since these
lame and out equine warriors pricked up their
ears sraghtened their and stir limbs. tossed their
manes formed 10 squadrons, and with . loud snort
charged on Q number Of inofensive mules. Two mules
were instantly killed, and the others fed In the
widest disorder Tho horses again formed 70 the music
Of Glmorss artillery and charged high rail fence,
which they at once broke down. They did not desist
from their warks demonstrations until the artillery
firing csssed.
During the evening our camps we're nled with rumora
We heard II whispered the air that General Grant
Was coming, with tho glorious old Army Of the
Potomac At his back. Another breath OF the
damp night wind said the rebels were gathering
on our front strong force would attack during
the night. Our pckets strengthened. and General
Butler and stan slept In their boots with horses ready
sadded. The rebels, however, did not attack Day.
light appeared, and Old Sol found Us undisturbcd
GENERAL GILMORE RELIEVED.
The Grst event OF any importance this morning was
the receipt OF an relieving General O. A. Gilmore
from the command Of the Tenth army corps and direct
ing him report Fortress Monroe. The General LETT
for that place this morning
EIGHTEENTH ARMY coRPs
Shortly after eleven O'Clock saw cloud Of dust
rising In tho distance from which Immediately after.
wards emerged the leading columns Of the Eighteenth
army corps They had landed at Bermuda Hundred
and also the vicinity Of Point Of Rocks. During the
whole morning heavy details Of had been at work
putting the roads 10 nt condition for them 70 PASS
over officers and men ldusty and travel-stained
They were however, In good spirits when they left
here about two weeks since Their numbers have
been decreased but their glory mmeasuraby increased
They are now encamped in the woods whore they slept
the night before their departure for tho White Rouse
JUNE lA--lZJO r. ~.
At half past twelve O'Clock to-day Lieutenant General
Grant, accompanied by General Rawlings, his chief Of
sta and several other officers, arrived General But
ers beadquarter General Grant rode rapidly up the
norserai, dsmounted, and leaving his horse to tho
care s an orderly, advanced TO General Buffers
tent. General Butler, however, had seen him ap-
preaching and met him when . few yards
away from The tent General Grant smoking his
sesar usual The meeting between the two generals
very cordial They Immediately retired 70 General
Buffers TENT and remained in consultation for about TIVE
hours. During this time General Ames division was
passing up the road towards the frost. Generals Brooks
Marston and other distinguished officers arrived, asd
were warmly greeted by the members Of General But
lers sta and congratulated their safe return from
the battle fields in the vicinity Of Richmond
GENERAL GRANT IN ME SADDLE
After luncheon General Grant expressed desire 70
inspect the works on our 'front.' Horses were mms.