New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-06-24

army it has been considerably strengthened, but
even now is comparatively an unimportant work. and
Of but little value to the enemy.
The troops Of the Army Of the Potomac proper are
now disposed in semi-crcular line around the town.
our left extending the Petersburg and Norfolk
railroad the south, and right resting on the Ap
pomattox at the Mills house. four miles northeast OF
the city, Gen Buffers forces occupy position on our
right and front to the north and westward toward the
Petersburg and Richmond railroad.
There are different opinions to the number Of Reb'
Ell troops lying in front of Petersburg 1t is known that
Beauregards troops there a great majority Of
the prisoners thus far captured represent themselves
belonging to his command Picketfs division also forms
portion of the enemys right and lies south and In the
Immediate vicinity Of the town. A large portion OF
Lees army, however confronts Butler and Is 10 dis
posed as TO defend any OF Grant against the
Petersburg and Richmond railroad. The occupation Of
this road by forces would undoubtedly compel the
abandonment Of Petersburg, while at the time it
would hasten the downfall ofthe Rebel capital Peters.
burg the termini Of the Norfolk Weldon and Lynch
burg railroads. in our possession with Gordons
vile occupied by Hunter and our cavalry constantly
cutting the Danvie road and the fall OF Richmond
without further aggressive movements part be-
comes simply matter Of time.
Rebel prisoners report Richmond prepared for a long
siege and state that for three months past army sup
es have been forwarded to the city In anticipation Of
Grants Intentions. Most Of the Rebel prisoners taken
are still hopeful and confident Of ultimate success In
what they sneerngly ask. has Grant been success
full True, he has taken moro guns than we have and
perhaps few more prisoners but wherein has he
achieved anything like complete SUGGEST Finding
all his attempts % drive from positions futile he
has evaded them by flank movements. and has today
fewer prospects q taking Richmond than ever
Among the Rebel prisoners sent to Washington TO day
is quondam correspondent Of The ReAmoEd Eramirer.
Many Of the prisoners captured Of late better clad
than usual and wear substantial suit OF light blue
cloth resembling that by men. which they
state is manufactured in England and brought into the
Coniederacy" by blockade runners.
The country viii be glad 20 learn that Gen Hancockg
health is improving. and that he viii rsassume
command Of his corps. His wound which has never
fully closed. recently discharged a piece OF bone. and
the surgeons look for it's permanent healing. Let
history record hot Gen Hancock. with devotion sci.
dom witnessed. shared with his nvincblc troops OF the
I'd Corps all Of tie priva,ions and pers Of long and
arduous campaign dsdaining to leave the field although
suffering deily from distressing wound.
Among the brave spirits who fell in the recent bat.
ties was Col VIM. II. Baird commanding the l26th
was dsgraced at the surrender OF Harpcrs Ferry by
the dismissal OF its officers for misbehayior Col.
Baird. then Major OF the regiment shared the fate Of
his brother officers; but convinced Of his ef.
fcency, and of his innocence Of the charge Of
ardice he r6instated Lieut.. Colonel of his old
regiment by the Governor and returned TO the field
At Mortons Ford, last Winter. brayest among the
brave. Col Baird. Laborng under the imputation
Of cowardce, he desired to show to his supcrors and
10 the world the alsty OF the charge and noby did he
def DEATH os, mounted whire horse. lie rode along
his skrrish line continually exposed 70 the murderous
fire Of sharpshootefs. But he escaped unharmed. 70
receive the congratulations Of many generous heart
ON his noble daring. From the first battle Of the WI
dcrness Col Baird led his regiment through every sub
sequent engagement and always in such manner as
to win the encomius OF his supcrors md the admra
ton 0, his men. Hereafter let dare to mention
the name Of Col. WIN. H. Baird only as a nobehearted
gentleman and dauntess soldier
The sick list is swelling with Of dnrrhes and
general exhaustion. The intensity Of the heat and the
dust which rises in vast clouds with the passing Of
| army wagons or a single horseman. produce thirst
which must BE- appcased by irequeu and copious
draughts Of water AS the consequence. dceterious
results follow. and many poor fellow soon finds him.
self in the hospital.
visaged war" visit the hospitals asr battle Go TO
the operating table and observe the dclrum Of the sub
ject as the great finger Of the relentless surgeon is
poring his bleeding side. But the poor sufferer Is all
unconscious for a surgeon with towel saturated with
ether and folded cone shape stands at his head and
while he closely watches the beating Of the pulse ap
plies the blessed neutralzer Of pain he deems neces.
sary Sometimes the subject lies passive under the
seyerest operation, and at other times he magnes him
self again on the battlefield He curses. raves tauns
the enemy with cowardice and dares him to on,
until his physical energies exhausted he sinks into
short sleep and awakes 10 find his wound dressed aud
himself lying weak and neryeless side by side with
scores OF others 10 the hospital tent Here Is an ocer
whose case the surgeon says at glance Is beyond the
reach of skill He shot through the forehead by
sharpshooter; a small globe Of quvering brains pro-
rudes from the wound and the conynlsiye gasp OF long
intervals shows that the poor sufferer Is fast
approaching 1.-THE sleep which knows no wah
ing" And yet the surgeon says he may
live in that condition twelve hours longer Such cases
frequently occur. Return TO the hospital In the morn
ing The attendants are bringing out those who dice
during the night and laying them, wrapped in their
blankets In row outside the hospital preparatory TO
their burial. Go count the little heudboards made
from cracker boxes aud standing in rows the
graves of the dead nnder yonder trees Perchance the
form of some acquaintance or soldier friend whose
warm hand you grasped but yesterday. may rest be-
meath one CT those unpretending headboards But the
dawn Of the great hereafter will it not behold those
saughterc heroes resurrccted and beautifcd the re-
c,dents of crown to which many who repose beneath
the marble Of PARA will not dare to asprea J. c. O.
ASSOCIATED PRESS AND OTHER ACCOUNTS.