The New York herald., 1865-02-04

application whsn LieutsnAnt Colonel Babcock arrived
q the Picket line he obliged 70 watt until they
could o notified and make their appearance They were
accom- panssd 70 the reOs lines by large eonconrss Of
oisiz ms, Including many ladies, who were plainly d.
csr Able from our lines
TAs rwo ARMIES m cosvnsArIoS PxAm QUESTION.
The Of their coming intended 10 be kept pro-
foundy until the last moment but spite Of the
igaorancs Of ohcias and the rscencs Of others,
the affair leaked out and the fame Of their mission has
preceded them. Both armies thoroughly understood
the object and importance Of the end 70 b
essnod, and seemed 70 vie with each other
In manfesting proper appreciation. BY common con-
cent all picket firing suspended groups and crowds
OF officers and soldiers congrsgatsd the breastworks
and parapets from morning I'll night, and hs lines Of
both armies presented the appearance Of gala day
from the Appomattox 10 the Weldon Railroad AZ
points where they neared each other, interrogatores
ana rspArtees constantly interchanged Many Of
the rebel pckets assured that peacs certain In
thirty daya" Others yelling that ~ old Stephens
scss slow he was mighty sure" &C., &c All appeared
delighted II what 70 very prospect Of
cessation Of hostes and expressed themselves conn
dent that In way the would be ended through
these negotiations There b ~istakiag te fact
V sCtdespreGd d>sirs and sspsctation IN Lees army
short. though indefinite, time terms Of peace will be
agreed upon their military organizations disbanded and
the permitted 70 70 their homes Your read
will inquire 'Can this be soW Thinking men will
be slow 70 believe It. The difficulties many and
formidable and the temper and spirit Of neither section
very promising for negotiation and compromise.
INCEPTION PHAe. COMMISSIONERS BY OUR TROOPS
On being received-half way between the picket lines
Of the conendng armies-they conducted through
the ie and dtehes the breastworks and
ether defences conveyed thence in ambulanccs the
Military Railroad and from there 70 this place in special
train waiting for the purpose Hundreds Of persons had
eongregated 10 catch glimpse Of the noted rebels;
but nothing unbecomng the dignity Of soldiers and gen.
tleman Was said done. AZ the train moved on for
City Point the cheering loud long continued and
many brave fellow offered hearty invocation for an
honorable peace
The news Of their coming bad gained considerable
circulation during the afternoon, and hundreds were
standing about tho depot whom the train arrived at City
Point. road was finally cleared through the crowd
and the party conveyed TO General Grants headquarters
After short interview they conducted the steam
boat Mary Martin, remained her night, and arc
expected to proceed on her 70 Washington 70 day.
The rebel Assistant Agent Of Exchange Col Hatch ao
companies the commission" secretary. One coored
servant and -four trunks constitute the travelling incu-
brsnces Of the party.
CRY PoTvr, Va, Feb g. 1896.
THE COMMISSIONERS DETAINED At c7Y POINT
The exciting topic Of conversation everywhere is the
subject Of peace in connection with The peace commits
sione Al in other Matters mems opinions vary mueh
a their aces but very few profess 70 believe that the
present pegoations will lead immediate cessation
Of hostities.
Contrary TO the general expectation the rebel party
mained at City Pent throughout yesterday Mary
hn~s
ton - all hoped and believed they would. No reason
for the delay detention assigned by those sup
posed 70 know; yet the general impression that
hitch' had somehow somewhere occurred, and that
was by certain the party would - psSmi1tsA
70 20 any further. All agree thst Old Abe "has
put his foot down." he should "go the whole hog"
is impossible 70 learn here why they allowed
70 proceed, what the authorities q Washington pro-
pose desire to do
Major Ricksts who arrived here last evening and had
IN interview with kessn Stephens, Hunter and Camp
bell, probably bearer Of message oflcIa or
ocal that wnl determine the future 70 bs pur
sued.
Mr.. .. r. Bulkley's Despatch.
FoRrREs MoFRoE Va, Feb Z. 1885.
Hon. VIM. a. Seward Secretary Of stxte arrived here
II early hour this morning, in tho despatch boat
River Queen, from Washington He 10 supposed 70
BE- here for the purpose Of meeting the rebel
Vice President Alexander II stephens, peace CON-
missioner from Richmond, who is hourly expected
70 arrive from City Point II 70 known that .
nag Of into lines yesterday for the
purpose Of obtaining permission for Mr. Stevens and
Robert Ould Commissioner Of Exchange pass through
but by some mistake the permission NOT granted.
Today, however, they expected 10 arrive and In
company with Mr.. Seward will proceed TO Warrington.
Mr. Seward, since his arrival, has remained entirely
FIVE O'CLOCK p N.
General Grants naabost n Martini has just arrived,
bringing the rebel peace commissioner, Alex. H.
Stephens, Hunter, Of Va, and Mr.. Campbell
The River Queen. with Secretary Seward on board 10
anchored short distance from the wharf, and write
the n. Martin IL just coming alongside Of her
Mr.. Theodore c. Wilson'S Despatch.
BEyoRs PETERSBURG, m THE FIELD, Jan. 81, 1885,
rrAcK
The camps are fun Of In relation to the peace
question And yet within easy hearing Of those who
help circulate these stil heard the thunde
Of hostile cannon and the "phwhiz' Of rebel small
shot may be- though, that these peace como ~
does the ranbowwhe the rain is stu failing and shs
sky overcast with threatening clouds
ONWARD TO nHxIoo.
Now that there 70 be indication that the
war VIII be ended during the next campaign both on
and talk much and seriously, too, the sub
ec OF relations with Mexico, and strongly in "a
vor of march 70 the Rio Grande and campaign In an
enemys country. Indeed strong this feeling that
not q few believe II eventually, and are a.
much prepared they will be 70 engage the en-
tcrpriso.
The Press Despatch.
ToRrRxss Momox, Feb. 2, 1885.
kesssl Alexander H. Stephens. r NJ T. Hunter and