Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-30
CONGRESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
FROM WASHINGTON.
First Dispatch,

WAsHIHGToH, June 29.
Our latest dispatch from the Army Of
the Potomac brings news up to yesterday,
Monday morning.
On Sunday night sheridsn's forces had
not succeeded in getting across the James
River, but the boats were ferrying them
over as rapidly as possibly.
Late Sunday night firing was heard in
the direction of WilcOx's Lsnding.
The impression prevailed at headqusr-
tsrs that the rebels had again made efforts
to impede Sheridsn's progress.
On Friday P. NJ, the rebel battery In
front Of Petersburg opened on one of our
hospital trains killing several horses, but
fortunately the men ell escaped.
The railroad has been completed from
City Point to the front and trains are now
running. Transports, loaded with ties
and rails, are lying in the stream of City
Point for the purpose Of extending the
road as our lines advanced.
A hospital landing has been established
on the AppOtOmOx River, some two miles
above City Point, from whence the wound
ed are taken by steamers. Several thou-
sand wounded are there. Owing to the
extreme warm weathrr the mortality
among thsm is considerable.
The soil of the country in the vicinity Of
Petersburg is SO horribly dry that it is not
possible for either side to make q sudden
movement for surprises, as immense clouds
Of dust arise upon the least movement.
All is quiet along the line Of the Ap.
pomsttox River.
General Butler is strongly entrenohed,
and the enemy can have no hopes Of dis
lodging him, unless they bring such a
powerful force Of al arms against him as
would dangerously weaken other points
of their lines.
Rebel deserters, many Of them officers
Of the rank of lieutenant, continue to come
in, and they universally report more or
less Generalization and disafection, not
only among the ranks Of the rebels but
among many officers.
One deserter, member Of the 1st SontS
Carolina Cavalry, who came in Sunday
night, reports that Lee has sent two
brigades u cavalry, among them the 1st
South Carolina Cavalry, to Western vir-
ginia, to act against our forces. The de-
sertsr also understands that an in.
fantry force was sent in the same diree-
ton.
The rebel General Winder is reported
sick with typhoid fever, and his recovery
doubtful.
Another deserter states that an order
was issued from headquarters q few
days ego stating that the Yankees had
with characteristic cruelty and disregard
Of the ussges of warfare in the civilized
nations, placed q number of helpless pris
sOneFs in conspicuous places in Charleston
Hsrbor, exposed to the fire Of our rebel
batteries in order to prevent US [rebels
from keeping the vsndsls away from
Charleston, while, at the same time, they
[the Fsderalsl are numbering the helpless
children and women Of that city.
This was intended, deserters says, t.
operate on the South Carolinisns in Lee
army, as appeals were made to them Il
revenge their friends.
Among the prisoners captured in from
Of Petersburg within the last few day
are several grey-hssded old men, owe
sixty ysRrE Of age, and boys from four
teen to sixteen years Of age have besl
captured with guns on their shoulders
They say, one and all, that they were i'm
pressed into the rebel army.
II The bill to establish Bureau Of Freed
mems Affairs wasconsidered again to-day
The senste's amendment, repeating thu
resolution explanatory Of the OOnhsoatiOl
! cot, was adopted by vote Of % sgains
Is. By this amendment the officers unds
its provisions are 50 for placed under mil
, itary law as to be tried by court martha
The amendment by Mr.. Wilson provide
3 for finding homes for freedmen when Whe
abandoned esi stes cannot be found anon
human employers, and requires the ope1
' ing of correspondence with the State Su
thOrities on the subject