The New York herald., 1864-09-16
General Meade's Presenta-
tion Speech.
The Great Mortar Opens Upon
Petersburg.
The Ciay PAint Railroad Extension
and Its Builders,
Mr. 3. cadwaliader's Despatch.


Cry PoINT, Va, Sept. a. 1864.
remarkable quiet for this campaign, has prevailed for
nearly week, END. excepting inevitable amount Of
firing between pches and sharpshooere, the stiluess
has been almost unbrcsen. on the front Of Hancocks
corps the lines exceedingly close at two points,
desultery musKet tire Is kept up day and night.
RAILROAD.
ride over the extension Of the City Point aud
burg Railroad arotnd the latter city tho junction with
the Weldon road Gen. Warren's 'front.' reveals the
sources OF army to astonishing degree. Without
any time for preparation MAJOR Wenz Superintendent Of
Military Railroads, pu. Getachnents Of taken from
the different army at work in the construction
force and completed the line, nine miles in length
the eleventh day after its commencement. Two
days Lost TO the force by the sinking
Of q vessel baving a portion OF the material
board which reduces 1t practically to nine days
job No previous surveys had been made to establish
the route ascertain grades and the most remarkable
feature Of the whole is that made at all Tho
line located by the eye without the aid compass,
and instruments used TO gauge the evenness
degree be established a different points.
No measurement made taken p laying the track
from end TO the otner-not tape line "ten
ree.' pole Al was gagged by the eye, estimated by
PAGES The practical sknl OF the construction corps
abed them TO the best location for the road at
glance and to direct its details without the engineering
appliances usually deemed indispensable.
Several ravncs OF considerable width and depth
encountered OF the way cribwork Of rough logs was
built up, beayy timbers run from one to another Tor
srineers, crosstes put down on these the rails nailed
down IN tue usual manner, and the result ubstantai
roaibed equal the best Ircstcwo the United States
for temporary One OF these bridges eight hundred
feet 0lg And fifteen high the other eight hundred and
twenty length and twenty in ncgn, at its greatest
eevation. Very little filling or cutting was done al any
point the ne. The deep CUT s AZ the opposite end
or Southern bridge near The Gurley House where TO
grade OF hundred feet TO the mile, the
roadbcd down about two ieei for distance
fifty yards.
meaus the rckety some might imagine. Heavy
trans can safely sreet OF fifteen miles
hour and finds as free from sudden olts and
late motions as many s'crack roads Of the North
At place, nearly Ia front OF General Meades head.
passes and have trained guns TO bear them The
sensation q ruling under the FIRE OF rebel battery in
railroad car would be nv 70 most o. your readers but
scarcely strs the blood OF old 'vet AS you emerge
into the open ground IN range of the you
rally watch for the smoke OF discharge Suddenly
puTs up another, aud another, UNTIL old vet.v
you walk the door to possible where the
balls strike one probably falls short, IS neither
heard another whistles family above
the but the third strikes ksg OF spikes stand
Ing by the track twenty yards IN tie rear OF the traiu
"vet considers indifferent, insign ncant every day
affair and scarcely condescends 10 mention the crcun
his aequainances How many OF your renders
would hate the equanmity Of an old vet" in similar
situat onf
The road at this particular point being protected by
works which will soon shield It from rebel guns.
The ride the route impressed than over
before with the invaluable services such men az Major
Wenz.and bis assistants constantly but quietly
dering the country.
oExraALs nEAaHsR AND curIxs
Brgadier General Thomas Francis Mesghsr has been
ordered report TO General Sherman for duty, and
probably bis way 90 the West at the present lime
Owing the consolidation OF troops gong in
this army many officers will be temporarily deprived Of
commands commensurate with their ability and pas.
services TO the country AIMING these Is Brigader Gen
Cutler. who colonel OF the Sixth Wscon
sin promoted 20 brgadiershp, and had command
cd division the Firth corps all through the cam
pasn General Cutler s the junior brgader, and lot
wthouta division. He goes North temporarily detached
service at the request OF Gonei al Grant s reported
and will have the haseBng forward OF all Ioops
this department IN his especial charge.
RrCRriIs.
Very considerable additions OF troops arrive daily.
Nearly three thousand day before yesterday and
large number yesterday.
Tho weather remains cold and cloudy