New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-13
SPECIAL DISPATCHES OF THE NETWORK TRIBUNE,
Destroying the Railroad 20 White IIouse-
The CoIored Soldiers-How they Guard
the Rebel Prisoncrs-A Case Of Pride
against Pockes-Supplies Abundant In
virginia-The Richmond Stores and
What There 10 in Them-Dinncr.

against R0cket-Supplies Apunon"' -"
Virainia-The Richmond Stores aud
What There 10 in Them-Dinncr.
From Our Special Correspondent.
HEADQUARTERS Army OF THE POTOMAC,
June 10, 1864.
| We can add very little to-day respecting the
military situation. We only say that our cause IL
progressing favoraby and hopefully Strangely enough
the railroad having been completed TO the Chcahomny
is now being torn up and entirely removed from the
front to the White House. probably with reference TO dc
priyng the Confederacy Of rails which must be useiu
in repairing the damage which will be undouoteu'y
done this coming Summer to the railroads In 'ne VI
cinity Of Richmond With similar hostility 70 Inc
euemys communications our cavalry are pow az WORK.
and we hope Soon to inform you Of their success.
While we are holding our breath for brief interval
awaiting another of those terrible conflicts OF arms
thousand little incidents are occurring which excite
only omen.ary interest in the rush Of great events
lint which cannot fail TO amuse interest friends at
home. Let us turn page two In note book, to
see If we can find there material for letter The first
thing which worthy Of mention Is with reference
to the few colored soldiers scattered up and down
through the army. Although we have scarcely more
than respectable brigade Of these troops we see them
wherever 90. and We always note one or two CHAR
acteristics. They always clearly and soldiery In
their appearance-always prompt and faithful In the
discharge Of soldiers duty. We have seen them on
picket their bronzed faces resting against their hands
clasped upon their muskets looking out with watchiui
eve into the woods and fields which might conceal
lurking enemy. We have seen them upon the march.
In close ranks with elastic and willing steps In strong
contrast with the loose careless shutting gait OF our
own chosen veterans. But we must net seem to dis
parage our veterans whom we rely for our severest
work. Veterans learn 70 march In careless lesurey
manner and when physically exhausted sustain their
angud bodies by mental endurance and pertinacity.
while the negroes like our mule teams tug away ener
geticelly until the last moment and finally break down
all at once like "one-horse shay" think this VIII
be found TO indicate their character as soldiers as Tor
as 1 have had opportunity for forming a Judgment
But We will tell you service in which our negro
troops seem most peculiarly seryiceabe and most fit
tingy employed. 1t is when guarding prisoners cap
tured from tho enemy. Then their vigilance and faith
nses and the heariness with which they perform their
duties appear most conspicuous How should you Ike
to see ta lank straghthaired Carolinian, wearing
Cockncy hat the brim pinned up on one side. and or
namented with rude effort to initiate in needlework
the palmetto or South Carolina cabbage tree marching
along under guard Of three blackswbo occasonaly &C.
March along dsr. Massa-no struggling TO do rear
close up dar Sar It is one Of the most amusing spec
aces which we have the pleasure Of witnessing in the
Army The situation Is singularly suggestive Of the
propriety and fitness Of things.
Our ooored soldiers who by the way are not veterans
in the army arc very scrviceabs in supplying the do
mand which exists for guards to protec. the property Of
the country people tho army passes. We recall an
instance In which lady Of respectable family and estate
who was rapidly losing the few onions and strawber'
res that grew in her garden, together with the few
chickens and turkeys which caught the wandering
grasshoppers, made application for protection. The
guard was Immediately furnished and four fine fellows
from one Of our blacklist regiments marched up the
avenue IN roBt Of the house. with shining muskets and
faces Oh You should have the with which the
Virginia gcntewoman refused the protection OF United
States negro soldiers and besought destruction and
starvation to visit her house and family rather than TO
be saved therefron by negro soldiers have no doubt
that oolorod soldiers perform guard duty faithfully
when II is intrus 10 them, but must acknowledge
too have seen them with dsrcpectfor Confederate
property claims, carrying away fine cuts oil fresh pork
lamb or veal fastened to their bayonets.
| We wish, by the way TO correct o nisappreheasion
in regard 10 tho condition Of such supplies in the parts
OF Virginia which VIC have been recently trayersng.
II any one has formed picture Of starving foodless
fenceless desoated South let them look for moment
on the true picture Of tho country which our army has
occupied for several weeks. With the exception OF
few Door families who o1en make prctense OF destitu'
ton 10 save themselves om robbery at the hands OF
our soldiers the country lie abundantly supplied with
everything Graneres are filed with corn until hey
overflow Gardens grow oil the Injuries OF Che season
Flocks and herds have not deserted the pastures and
hills Corydon and Thyrss eat their country messes In
the shade. Fowls frequent the barnyards, and the
dove cotes are not abandoned by their meek and nno'
cent inmates. Our horses wade through clover knee
deep and the growing wheat brushes their sides az
they pass through it, Immense tracts are filed with
thriving corn.1eds and one whose imagination has
been filed, mine had, with pictures OF want and
desolation wouh believe that time had run back and
brought again the former days Of peace and content
ment. Even the haidens stand In the doorways and
smile on US as VIC pass in spite OF their hatred OF
Yankees in the abstract We have very serious doubts
engendered by our late experiences Of starving
the Conederacy and look for tho end only by hard
fighting In connection with Gen Grants left1ank
strategy.
We have by the way. had recently tolerabe sub
stitue for visit TO Richmond In conversation with
Southern lady Of somewhat eIuberant imagination.
lint with an evident intention to convey correct i'm
preston win repeat her language as near as may be
She said: ~ went 10 Richmond to make my Spring
purchases took my servant with me- who carried my
money for me In basket. My friends told
me l could bring back my purchases in the
ssmc basket. / went 10 Richmond. expecting
10 find half OF the stores closed, with moth.
ing TO sel in the rest of them. But how surprised
was when founl the stores all full Of goods with
young clerks behind the counters doing thriving bust