The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-06-03
TIE RATTLE epnnNn
GEN. SMITHS JUNCTION WITH GEN. GRANT
Our Army Corrcspondence.
UNITED STATES STEAMER MoHoHAssrrr, I
WHTB HOUSE, Va, May 80, 1864

TIE TRANSFER or THE FORCES
The determination Of the military authorities TO send
large portion OF Major General Buers rorces lately
operating the fortified places extending James
to the Appomattox river. fully determined upon on
Thursday, the 2Gth day of May. This determination,
which immediately acted upon, prevsed the trans.
fer to Lieutenant General Grant of a part OF the
Eighteenth army corps, and Of General Quincy A. Gill;
mores Tenth corps. thus necessta,ng a new and inde
pendent organization Of Buffers troops.
THE PARTIAL EVACUATION oP rHR rrAcEs occr.
PIsD TENTH C0Rps
On Friday the 9th OF May, tho order issued to
the effect such troops OF General Glmoros corps
bad been designated to be commanded respectively by
Brigadier General A. Ames and Brigadier General j. W.
Turner, were to be transferred to the Eighteenth army
corps. and to be hencetorth under the command or
General Smith. General Amez ordered in the after
fall back from the immediate line OF the ntrench
ments at Fosters plantation, about thousand yards
from the spot where the known to bo in force
and where the severe engagement OF the Goth Of May
took place. to point about midway between tho plan
tatlon and our base at Bermuda Hundred.
GENERAL INSPECTION
On reaching The point Of rest between Fosters planta
ton and Bermuda Hundred, troops turned
on Saturday the aSth OF May to the corps OF inspector
generalsho probably being truo OF all the selected
force of sarmy-for general inspection OF
the then sanitary condition OF the men, All this being
accomplished the line OF march taken up Cor the
transports Bermuda Hundred late Ia the afternoon o!
Saturday arriving at the latter named point late In the
evening The embarkaton or the troops was by
OF the exacng method observed and tho wise enforce
ment OF discipline. easy matter to accomplish. not
whstandng the darkness OF the hour aud the necessity
OF relying 10 great extent upon the sense ald
dccorum OF the men. which qualities they displayed IN
ports-many OF them having barges, heavily loaded with
men, ordnance and supplies, in ,ow-set sal Sunday
their prows pointing down the grand old James whose
banks cluster much OF the truly memorable in our
past history.
THE TRANSIT or TROOPS
At any time trip down historic James and un the
placid York and tortuous Pamuukey rivers ia by no
means conventional or commonplace trip; but when
mighty feet Of vessels, bearing armed men, proceeding
70 tho Of bloody conflict through the water
OF State renowned in American history Virginia
dots all these waters for distance OF miles and mo
one whose habits reflective, a ordinary travelling al
touches the level Of unnterostnsness and dead
stupidity. The tourist here passes through section
OF country whore Is 10 be the sto OF James
town. the earliest Of the carly who settlements upon
this continent and the spot whsre is likewise seen the
chimney remains only Of tho Hrs meeting house In Aue.
rca devoted 10 the worship by the sturdy men or that
primitive or our national outcome and growth OF the
" Infinite in majesty, wisdom, power and holinessn
All along either sle OF these magnificent marine by
ways may DO seen the ruined mansions and broad
OF opuent Virginia arisocracy whose boasted
peerage dates vol nigh from the discovery or the New
World down period when rejecting all lights OF the
past and guarantees for the future they deliberately
elected destroy themselves In their destruction OF the
Amoricon government.
me ARRIVAL AT wrsr FONT
Az the Outset Of tho movement forming tho basis or
this despatch the common rendezvous was 10 ba West
Point where the advance OF tho troops under command
OF the gallant Colonel Cyrus j. Dobbs OF tho veteran
Thirteenth Indiana Volunteers, arrived after dark on
Sunday evening. The debarkation OF the forces was
Immediately commenced, under tho able and ,ntel
CONT supervision OF Colonel Dobbs, assisted by Colonel
John NcConihe. occupying nearly tho remainder Of
the night, owing TO tho fact that tho enemy had
destroyed the dock, or wharf landing since
the occupancy Of the "Poiup three weeks ago by
Affords brigade. Soon after the debarkasion OF this
portion OF the troops had been accomplished, General
Ames received ncws Of the safe passage OF GRANTS army
10 the south side OF the Pamunksy, near place
called Hanovertown, and General Smith deemed II expe.
don't 70 movo Immediately on TO White House, tho new
base OF supplies, whence 70 form junction with tho
Leutcuant General, who was moving with impressive
cclerisy on the Richmond fortincations. ~
THE DEPARTURE FROM WEST POINT.
This sudden exgoncy loft tmo for tho dcbsked forces
10 70 embark Consequently thai portion OF the troops
whose feet then the sacrccd Presidents bearing
coll OF tho Old Dominion ordered TO march 10 white
nOnas Me Tsmainder " the command s, On tho ships