The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-04-13
THE STORM.

horses thus left unsheltered were pelted and
chilled to the marrow. Scores Of animals,
maddened by such exposure, broke loose in
the night, and wandering into the open roads
occasionally persisted or were captured by
men attached to distant camps. What the
pickets suffered, far aloof from fires around
which men in quarters crouched shivering,
was thought of terror to those whose turn
came next. A days march was in some
instances required before the farthest pick
cts near the Rspidan could be relieved, and
fires at many posts were impossible. Last
night the storm died away; the clouds fad
ed this morning, and at noon the army for
sock It's fires and came out to breath fresh
air and give its boots touch of Virginia
"blscking."
WHY THE ARMY DOES NOT MOVE.
And this is why the Army of the Poto-
mac does not "move." To wallow to bat
tie in mud knee.deep, and more, is not the
mission Of an army which has learned by
sad experience when its work, to be effec-
tive, should begin. A march at this sea-
son would be reckless sacrifice, even in
temporary fair weather. The Mud on near
ly ell the roads. particularly near Culpeper
and Stevensburg, is two and even three
feet deep. 1t would take at least ten days
of sunny weather to set the country in
fair condition, and more than that time to
harden the soil sufficient for the wear of
artillery wheels. Meanwhile this is the
month of April, and the mists Of another
tempest Turk in every sunbeam. General
Grant, whose command willtdecide all, is
not commander of the seasons, aud more
than one event in his energetic career has
shown that he knows how to wait.
GETTING READY.
To wait, however, is not to be idle, and
about headquarters at least, idleness is un-
known. The business of reorganization,
FSbsrosses the attention of most of the
chiefs of departments, at this time, and
much difficulty is had in arranging the de-
tails. The bad system originating in
Washington, which has prevailed in trans
fers of men and officers from one command
to another, Is causing much temporary
trouble and dissatisfaction. The With
drawal Of brigade and division commanders
from this army to other posts is not yet
done with. Brigadier. General Neil com
manding brigade in the Second division,
Sixth corps, and it is said one or two other
officers, have been ordered to report to
General "Baldy" Smith on the peninsula
for important service. Gen. Neil, who is q
brave and competent leader, will probably
command division. Men and officers on
leave are arriving daily. New Wagons
are replacing many of the old, camps are
being gradually shifted to conform with the
new assignments of the different corps, and
Increased attention is being paid to mat
tiers Of drill and general discipline. The
fighting spirit Of the soldiers Is awake to
the approaching opportunity, which every
veteran devoutly hopes will enable US to
end this hard business of fighting and
marching, and close the great work of the
war,
ON THE RAPIDAN.
Deserters report an extraordinary in.
crease of defensive works by the rebel army
across the river. As they can hardly ex-
pect aspeedy attack in their present strong
position, and in such weather rs now pre-
walls, the reason of this is not fully appa.
rent. General Lee may anticipate the ne
cessity of Withdrawing portion of his army
at some future day in order to defend Rich
mond in another direction. These new
intrenchments might then, for brief inter
val at least, be used by reduced body OF
troops as bulwark against attack by q
considerable army.
GENERAL GRANTS HEADQUARTERS
General Grant returned to the army yes.
terday, and occupies his new quarters at
Culpepper. The house at which the Gen.
eral stops is one of the best in town, and
he lives there with his staff, quietly, plainly
and comfortably. General Meade drove
over to Culpepper this morning to confer
with General Grant on the important bust
ness Of the campaign.
GENERAL GRANT TO LEAD THE ARMY.
Whatever may result from the present
uncertainty in regard to the immediate
command of the army of the Potomac, Gen.
Grant is said to have declared his intention
to move with it himself The important
part which it Is intended to take in the an
preaching campaign is thus decided beyond
doubt. 4 ahi
INCIDENTS OF A CAVALRY sx1Rn1sH.
At cavalry skirmish, which occurred
few days ago, near place called Grove
Church. about fifteen miles distant, some
OF our men were taken prisoners. Into the
body of one who was badly wounded at the
nrst hire, hisgnerrilla captors emptied TWEEN.
ty i've shots from captured revolvers, his
own among the number. Five balls entered
bis arm alone, between the shoulder and
the elbow, He was alive at last account,
and there were strong hopes of his recov.
cry.
A startling event took place recently. in
Albany. \. Z, in one Of the Legislative