The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-09-07
THE FIGHT ar REARS'S ST-4TION

A correspondent of the Washington CAronic'S
writes curious letter i'll explanation of Hancock s
defeat on the Weldon railroad Ii the views of this
writer may be accepted correct il requires but three
years annilliate ali army corps, for We are told
that the Second corps composed of entirely new
men, and hencc the disaster. Dating before Peters
burg, August 27th, the correspondent writes:
Every man undergoes ali organic change once
i'll seven years. So informed by phySiolo-
glst5. The dIsintegratlon Of human PARTICLES must
be very gradual and mperccptibe, FOX, after the
lapse OF time specified, when it is presumed the last
atom Of the old man has departed, the individual
retains his identity his friends appear the same, his
remains unchanged.
$50 is 1t with the Amy of the Potomac The
different corps become new commands every three
years Hancock is the leader of a corps. Of which
every member wears tor his distinctive badge club
or truiol Thus Is tho Second corps; but how
changed since the time when commanded by General
Sumner. The old men Of the Second corps ale al
most all gone. OF those who twice assembled III
bloody congress upon Manassas plains but hand
ful remain. The men who covered Pope's retreat
from the Rapldn and battied for Brlstow sta
tloIl-aQ those who held the advance at Mine Run,
and emerged witt! then hives fl ON the Wilderness,
have been mustered ont OF service slain at Spots
sylvaiia and Cold HdlbOr.
'The rank Of the old corps are filled with
call know that three years has been sufficient to
change the amy. There is III some way differ
cnce. We cannot notice 1t amy more than the ply
uiStctt own buus cfCIy
seven years. There Is difference Ill the corps
insignia. The men are fed as WELL and apparantly
march and tiyht Well as ever. 1t Is only under
peculiar circumstances Ike those i'll which Gib-
bOns and Mlles's divisions we've placed during
"Wednesday afternoon that any difference can be OBJ
served Thrice the rebels charged, each time with
augmented numbers and increased fury. When
our soldiers s.Y then backs or the tlnrl tIme
tempt Tor tleir foes was only elualled by the con-
tidence they felt themselves Many ot te
regiments Ill MIie5s division Were composed OF new
mon-aubsttutes; Aliens, and drafted men. The
SvvGntA New York had Just received three hundred
such Most OF them were ignorant OF company
llli and knew little Of the mahtl OF arms they
could scarcely load and nre. The enthusiasm ot
these men was untounded when the rebels wele re-
pulsed in their first charge When the enemy ap-
peared before their works, and assaulted them the
second time they seemed the most fearless soldiers Ill
the hne Every man, Ill his easernesa to get 5ot
chance ~ shoot forgot he was not rs invulnnrabe
a5 Achilles, and necdie5sy eSposed himself This
regiment aud the Sixty FIRST New Yoik, also reflled
with new recruits, poured a perfect tempest ot
buck and ball " INTO the line OF rebels As they
surged, human wave, against the works
Then came the order tor countel-eharge. The
hne OF rebels had grown uneven 1t swayed 70 and
fro as III drunken tit. Finally It broke and scat
tered These men, before SO tuli OF enthusiasm, now
became wild aud unInanageable, They clamhered
over the parapet le;,ped the ditch and, with fixed
bayonets chased the fleeing iJa through the woods
and across the clearing beyond.
"VetcranS would never become thus excited The
victorious commander at Waterloo WAS exceedingly
wroth with his recruits because they entered the
conflict full VI enthusiasm. To make long fight,
calm courage Is nceded-the very thing these men
never had the opportunity of acquiring. The SOL
dler can only lcaiM this on the battlefield.
"The fourth assault robbed the combat Of the last
appearance Of novelty. Those same recruits, who
but one hour ago seemed so careless of danger and
were foremost III pursuit Of the foe, now became
terrified and ran The old soldiers, firm and re-
liant fell back slowly and steadily, frequently form
ing front to check the enemy and again retiring.
II is this alone gives advantage to the rebels Ii
none but the old Second corps had been at Reams
station that afternoon would have left the field
leisure!y although divisions OF Spartan heroes
could have renamed there no longer contehdng
against such odds Lees army Is always the SAINT
Ills troops are old and tried Their teI of service
knows no expration death alone can discharge ths
rebel who tshts in the ranks of the Army Of North
ern Virginia We are continually lighting one-hiil
of our army and teaching the remainder.
"As the enemy failed to follow up their slight ad-
vantage it is presumed they suffered severely We
have been expecting them ut Sax Mile station every
night and morning. Yesterday they were reported
massing in the neighborhood Of the Avery House
which Is now near the centre of our line. As vel
there has been no demonstration save heavy can
nonading and occasional outbursts OF muskctry"