New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-27
yROM THE ARMY or TIE POTOMAC
A Visit TO the Extreme Front.


in front or pETgEsnr1G. VA.
THURSDAY EVENING jal! 81. 1864.
have had the honor and pleasure to-day OF
riding around the lines with your veteran nnd efficient
correspondent, 7. c. G. On the extreme left We were
invited by that gallant Irish soldier. Col. Thomas A.
SMITH OF the lst Delaware Regiment FOX the last two
years commanding brigade. and now temporarily
commanding Gibbonss division. 70 accompany him and
h's staff to the extreme 'front.' or as be expressed IT,
out 10 see the Rebs. On arriving al tie outposts
found the pickei, or rather the !ntrenchod line. OF
battle only about one hundred ya.s apart.
The intreDchments OF both parties at this point
along strip OF table land and only OF sufficient depth
~ protect !lemen ia rocumbent position while the
trench wide enough 10 admit the Of two horse
abreast Hiding ~ the trench from the left TO the
top Of this strip OF table land II became necessary BY
70 mount the interior bank OF the trench
thus bringing the Ianks Of horses ioyel with
the top OF the entertainments both VI men aud tba
enemy. On hating in this position 10 take view Of the
surroundings, We were informed by The IN the
trenches and 0.Osg the interior bank o the intrench
ment that the dusky individual With the broad bimmed
hat that ne saw standing, with Lis hands upon his
hips and erns akiGbo. half biz length above the ON.
bankmcnt hundred yards dstAGt WAS q Rebel picket
They said that an aruisce Ind existed between the
two lines 1T that point for Oh three weeks each
party having promised NOT TO FIRE the Other without
due LOtice.
So there We stood for about ten minutes talking with
men, fully exposed 10 BAy vt4cy that tho Rebels
safety tseir plghted honor to pcLets whose
guests only we we're. They mgt, easily have picked
US of by 6pringng BODY OF sha'pshooters upon Ms
On the other baud several u them made their appear
anoe ard quietly surveyed US until turned dow the
decyity TO our right and disappeared. At this point
the pickots have been in the habit Of conversing freely
exchanging newspapers, and swapping different com.
modities such sugar and coffee for Tobacco 60
More stringent orders have lately been issued in this
respect both Sides and this friendly practice Is
less carried on.
mile on 20 to the right Of this point, person can
put his head above intfenchments without max
ing il d target for the insidious sharpshooter.
II is peculiarly affecting to ace and reflect how much
Of the bravery intelligence and true worth q the
ticn is crowded within circuit OF few miles In the
pine woods in front Of Petersburg. Here all profes
sions and casses are fully and credably represented
How many vacancies does this gallant Army Of the Po
tomac and james make in the pupts at the bars
IN the colleges and In the magnificent drawing rooms
as well as in the humble cottages OF the free and inox
haustble and invincible North What an immense
moral power. beside the grandeet military power ever
organized, We have in this army. backed by tho moral
power OF the North and the work
did an army contain more intellect and cultiva
ZION .han does this grand army of Union and Liberty.
wiz not detail 70 the enemy its military arrangements
P.parauons or personnel but almost eSery camp
siSLc village Of canvas and green boughs combining
a'inost III LIE comforts and luxnries Of home. The
quarters oi some OF the officers &, fact mogni6-