New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-24

undoubtedly prevented more serious assault from the
Rebels. Considerable firing took place but the losses
on either side could have been heavy Yesterday
change made in the Engineer Bureau Gen. Weizel,
whose skill in this branch OF the service has won for
him an envabe reputation being made Chief Engineer,
in place Of Capt. Farquhar. Gen. Martndale as
signed to the command of the Cd Division of the 1eh
Corps in place Of Gen. Weitzcl.
Tie result Of the change apparent during ride
along the lines today; and the hand Of master was
visible at various points before neglected. New breast
works outer works, and redoubts were visible; weak
places had been and were being strengthened. fresh
slashiug was made and as an old soldier remarked,
1.-THE line is now in something like satisfactory con-
dtion" which it certainly not before, II the opn
ion OF officers Of experience is worth anything. The
Rebels have been busy to-day on their works ana some
very good artillery practice was made on by way
ofkeeping them from overworking themselves. Gen.
Butler and staff rode along the lines to the extreme
right on the James. Here Admiral Lee was sent for
and conference was held
From the lookout the Rebel works Chapns farm
plainly and Rraybnck cavalry discovered prou
citing about Dr. Howletts mansion. fash, cloud Of
smoke and a report from an iron.clad Immediately OPP
poste u.s. and an l.inch shell went whirring through
the air over fields woods and creeks toward the man
zion Of the doctor 1t fell and exploded trhe short
but quite near enough TO convince the Rebels that II
was intended ne cketoflcave for them. and they had
the good sense 10 act upon the suggestion.
We visit Gen, Amess headquarters The General
looks "eycry inch a'-soldier. He wastes words
but talks business says gun could have done oil the
work Of the several guns which have been plying
the Rebel working parties; who, whenever shot was
fred lodged behind their breastwork. and that kept
them from working. He il courteous and gentlemany.
We visit Gen. Terry; be rides out with U.S. He looks
ike pleasant, goodnatured man-has determined
look crossed hy anxious expression. which leads
one TO doubt which to believe tie true characteristic.
But remembrances OF the determined fighting which
Gen Terry has done cfface the doubt and i'm
pctly believes that he will render efficient seyice.
Gen. Terry is soldier enough 10 obey orders. Would
that all were like him in this respect.
Returning to headquarters, We find number Of pris
oners who 10 be examined. The General sends for
Lieut. Davenport has charge Of the Bureau Of Se-
cret Information and whose photographic Attachments
and shrewdness render him invaluable. The General
examines and crossexamnes the prisoners in his well
known manner. and it is safe to say ecits more from
them and obtains the truth than any other than
sharp, shrewd lawyer, accustomed to dealing with
men of all classes and characters, could The prison.
ers say they do Mt know what they ore fighting for
do not enjoy much liberty under the old Govern.
ment;' suppose they would be killed II they did MT
fight, One man answers 10 the "What are you fight.
ing for Well had lots of spare time on my hands.
and il kinder seemed as though must"
From the various sources of information which Gen.
Butler has at hand and the superior facilities he has OF
obtaining intelligence, it has been ascerained that
there are twelve brigades in front Of U.s. Estimating
these at 2oOO men each. probably an underestimate.
and adding artillery and cavalry and there must be at
lca,t 25, coo troops. The brgadcs arc rs follows;
Cliugman's Greysie's and Ransoms t.sgades OF
North Carolina troops; Hunton's, Burtons, Terrys
Corse's and wises Virginia brigades; Hagood's and
Walkers South Carolina brigades and Busbrod f.
Johnson's brigade.
Walker is DANGEROUSLY wounded, and prisoner The
bullet, which Inflicted smorta wound passed through
Q map diary aud large number of papers in bis
pocket orders kilograms &c. Nothing Of importance
was CLEANED from them. letter from his wife-but
God forbid that the last hours Of dying soldier should
be ntruded upon BY auson to its contents One OF the
prisoners said they suffered most In front OF brigade
who played them a Yankee trick" What was that''
why. they twisted telegraph wire around the trees,
and when we up. just slaughtered us as We got
entangled In its lines"
That was in front OF my division" says Gen.
Weitzel who was present and you didn't like the
reception"
mot much,' WIS tho answer.
The gunboa,s got into position and fired number of
shell 10 get the range Admiral Lee is disposed 10 do
oil in his power 10 cooperate.
We are chatting after dark under the "fy' before
Chief Of Stats tent, when dispatch comes from Gen.
Gilmore. THE enemy are massing in my mont
What is IT, Coloneli' is queried. 1.-The flies are
swaming and ,herel be buzzing yet" is the response
IA the Chief strides of TO Gen. Buffers tent Let
them mass and be - hanged. Telegraph Gen Gill
more 10 be sure and guard against surprise is the Ia
comic response of the Commanding General we smoke
our pipes have jokes laugh our laughs ond nearly
all return The General does not. Your correspond
en seats himshf to write. Eleven O'Clock ana silence
reigns Ten minutes later and through the still Dir
the crack Of rife is heard. Immediately followed by
continuous roll l.. c..
pr,,er "a there before me- " Pretty lively shooting
General - Yes Sir our people certainly awake"
bright fash iumnes the sky just to the right OF our
oon,o another and another and tnen the report
NJ our cannon The continued roll OF the musketry
the ouekened roar Of the artillery the sharp reports OF
,be hurstpg shells bring ont from their tents the stan
The runboats on the Apo nattox determined to have
hand in the game open Gre-the gunboats on the James
return friendly answer, and shell whirl across the
noninsula and from our batteries to the great detrnent
Of any surprise party" that may have intended to
pay us an untimely visit.
Three horses are brought up Whose horses arc
,hoson "Gcn. Wei,zels Sir" Promptness n be
smulsted. III ever ! catch Beaurceard, don't
whale him for this" and tall form strides into the
group. That is Gen. weitzel Wasting good deal of
ammunition Sir" he remarks 10 Gen. Butter land all
4. Ms,urh q man from his nights repose." Some one