The New York herald., 1864-05-06
THE GREAT CAMPAIGN.
Advance Of the Army Of tho
Potomac.
~~>~~~s>~~~~~>0~~~~~~
Passage Of the Rapidan BY
Our Forces.
o~~~>&~~~~s.~~~~.>~~>~~
Splendid Condition or the
Soldiers.
Occupation Of West Point, on York
River, by Union Troops.
The Rebels Retiring fFsm Their
Strong Position,
Ass, &C., 10.
Mr.. y. g. Chapman's Despatch.
HEADQUARTERS, Army OF THE POroMAc, !
In rIn FIELD, May 4, 1854.

In The FIELD, May 4, 1854. J
The BusrIR AND UmmKsr OF THE START.
Bright and beautiful Is the morning, aud balmy as
e fresh breeses from tho orange groves The troo
Pre- as joyous schoolboys and everything 10 be seen
heard or felt has most satisfying influence, write
so tell the world that the noble Army Of the
Hotomac is on the war path
= All day yesterday there nothing but hustle and
szcitenent 10 and around busy camps after the fat
wont forth 70 strike tents pack knapsacks load
eur wagons and prepare to start march "onward
70 Richmond.n Mounted officers were flying hiher
and thither giving orders mounted orderes were flying
Ather and tbher carrying orders; ovsrwroughs clerks
wore scratching away as II for dear life, sqsarfng
kQoks, and rollicking troops were working ike
ANTS, Strengthening up tho little matters knowing
hat thavanother day would 30 late for such
None. Letters were written, keepsakes were packed
photographs sent homo, encouraging words Of
and coincidence spoken to friends devoted
snd many final farewell choked the utterances Of
manly throats TO be barred 70 the death stroke,
sacriBced upon the altar OF country and Of home.
r. TIE ORDER hARon
We have been looking for the order 10 march for many
lays and wondering why Is did not come but did not
know the many mountains Of obstacles piled front
prward movement, but II camo al last, and right
heartily did our troope respond. Never was an army IN
4Aer condition for marching or fighting. The and
ese oil that Napoleon could ask he had thousand
worlds 70 conquer; and we fail 70 accomplish the
$aeh assigned the world must acqu the rank and file
" fau and charge the blame upon those who plan and
ebe0s our movements.
Yesterday the greater portion Of the parapnernaa Of
tbe army moved the 'front.' last night tho Second
corps took up s line Of march towards the ords Of the
Rapidan. This morning the Fifth and Sixth corps FOL
bowed by the same roads. Where we 10 sbe
eeId Of battle is surmise. No Knows Of the
east details save our commanding generals, and We
Nssust wait until time shall develop them
WHERE SHALL WE MEET III. REBE1s.
am o! the opinion that shall not encounter any
hrss force Of the rebels this side OF the North Anna
ever--certanly not In the immediate vicinity OF tho
napidan--or all appearances deceptive. The most
reasonable conclusion arrive at Ii thst General
lss win move down TO the vicinity Of the North Anna
u order draw General Meade from his base as far as
possibe before fighting, and IL is not at all improbable
sAas thero win be no lighting until We get In the neigh
6oyhood Of Richmond.
ms. Francis q Longs Despatch.
srxrH ARMY CoRrs,
ARMY or THE PoroMAc, May =, 1854.
THE ARMY IN NOTION
TIE lehArgy that has hung the Army Of the Poto
so since It's retrograde movement from Mine lie al
het disspatcd IL has lain like monster that gorees
sc the autumn and lies torpid and quiescent during
sbe WINTER but awakens into fresh life and activity when
banned by the quckenng breath OF spring. The sleep Of
Ne monster has been almost undsturbed; only twice
sr,ce has stirred restessy in its lair II incubus
we're IL. Tho reconnaissance at Morton's Ford snd
she raids OF Generals Fitzpatrick aud Custer partially
AROUSED ; but It relapscd into the docp yea
Nstehlhl slumber.
When the serene and beautiful on she
morning OF May the 9TH its rays fell upon the almost de
tsred camps Of army, while long trains Of wagons
tDt ambuanoes winding among the hills and densc
eolumns OF troops the march, the shimmer Of
SAsr bright bayonets seeming almost Ike the Gitter
yroet upon hedgerows In winter.
The air was soft and balmy, and the bright emerald
grass Just prngng forth the southern slopes Of the
tnla gave evidence that spring had reilly come The
ssuge or the joyous birds they caroed in the rosy
beams oi morning blended strangely with the ron Of
srums, he Ey ksA ad shout Of she soldier, and tRs
shrIl blast Of the trumpet and buglc.
- THF SPIRIT TROOPS.
Fever since Ito organization has this army been In
better spirits more eager 10 the enemy. The
,cyous laugh and song the men marched along spike
volumes OF their confidence In their commander as well
- 10 their ability 70 crush Lees army n other
hide OF the Rapdap. Poor fellows many val Ant heart
win have ceased 70 beat fear before the n a ia accom-
plshed and the Stars and' Stripes are. waving tri
smpbantly over Richmond
The Army or che Potion. 40 Across tne
Rapidar1
P1nApErmA, May 8, 1894.
lie rumored here that O. nera Meade bias crossed the
Rspidan.
NO battle Uss 90 Wednesday Night.
- WASHINGTON, May o, 1904.
gentleman whs arrived here to-day from Brandy
Station, ayng len there last night Wednesday,, az
seven O'clock reports that up to that time there had been
% bfAtn,ties.
~ Newspaper Accounts.
from the Washington National Republican, May g. 2r.Ml
We feel authorized 70 stats since cannot afford
forhaon 10 the spemy, that the Army Of the Potomac