The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-01-31
gEE. 0. 0. HOWARD'g "REMINISCENCES.

where General Rockers division had another
characteristic engagement the 25th of June;
40 thoroughly intrench the new line thus
selected line which commanded abundance
cf open spaces and at certain points had the
Richmond works, not more than four miles off
in q straight line, plainly in view; finally,
under cover Of this strong protecting line,
work his army gradually, by flank move
mnnt from right to left, TO shift his base of
supplies from the York to the James.
Burns says: The best laid schemes O. mice
and men gang aft aglee." So was it here
Again, rs we so often saw IN our war, the DIS
furbing f0rce-a force that nc commander for
d time was able to control-was that of the en-
envy. The process of preparation and moving
the army westward had gone on quietly and
slowly till il received a Sudden shock about
the Isth OF June Confederate Stuart appeared
with brigade Of cavalry In the neighborhood
of Hanover Court House. Two squadrons Of
the 9th Regulars, on outpost duty there, made
strong opposition TO the first approaching
squadron, killing its commander, but when the
Others came up, our small cavalry force was
quickly dislodged. leaving Captain Royal, now
Colonel Royal of the 9TH cavalry, very badly
wounded. Stuart having brushed away this
small Union force pushed on TO Old Church,
where Warren was prior to the battle OF Han
over Courthouse. i Judge that he intended
only to recOnnoiter that far and then return,
-
Royals mes, by spreading the alarm. would
quickly choke up the way that he had come,
and prevent such return in safety, he sud-
denly resolved to push on, crossing our rail-
road at Tunstall's Station. He destroyed some
boats on the Pamunkey River, but did not ven
tnre to assail our main-guard at the White
House His men had done considerable dam
age at the Tunstall Station, and thrown some
distractions across the track, when train of
ears bearing some wounded and sick men came
from the army dashlng along at great speed.
The Confederatcs fired into the train, wound
ing some Of the sick men and so startling many
of the well passengers that they sprang to the
ground; but the train, instead of stopping as
was expected, was put 10 even greater speed
bv the resolute men in charge. knocked away
the distinctions without difficulty. and whiz-
zed of through the forest without further dan
ger The alarm was now spread in every di-
recti0n, and Mcclellan instantly ordered a
division OF our cavalry. under General AVereil,
in pursuit. But Ayerell was two hours too
late i'm reaching the Forge, a place several
miles below Bottoms Bridge. Stuart had
quickly constructed temporary structure for
his men and artillery, and passed over the
Uhickahominy here, swimming his horses, so
that with the inconsiderabie loss of one Gals
son. this daring cavalry chief had succeeded in
passing entirely around an army more than a
\ hundred thousand strong. and in reaching Rich
m0nd In safety. The damage done amounted
&C. nothing were it not fer the moral effect pro-
dHced. The army and the whole country be-
gen to lie alarmed for the safety of our forces
around Richmond. and there began to be much
mnrmuring IN society and in the newspapers
against Mcclellan operations. They no longer
received the usual confidence even Of his con-
Bcrr2Iiye supporters.
LEES CLEVER DISSEMINATION.
We have noticed that Robert e. Lee took
immediate command Of the Confederate army
oE Northern Virginia on the "a Of June, owing
Go the serious wounds OF Johnston received at
Fair Oaks There is one trait for which Lee
was ever remarkable. Under the cover of a
very genial smile-a smile Of constant recur-
rence in Official as well as in social inter
eoHrse-he had the ability to dissimulate pro-
f0HndlE. lie was able a0t only to deceive
Fremont in West Virginia Mcdowell on the
RappahannDck, Mcclellan in his neighborhood,
and Mr.. Lincoln at Washington, but completely
60 nystify all but the very few whom he
took into his confidence; to mislead even
those who were immediately around him
and in daily intercourse with him. As an
example cf his method Of acting behind a
blind notice the movement of Writings
division. which, few days before the secret
arrival 0f S-oncWall jackson in the neigfb0r-
hood. left the Confederate army, crossed
the james, and went to the LFnchburg and
BiEkettsrille junction. The cars, loaded with
fhis division were allowed, with apparent
carciessncss, 10 remain on the track, near one
OF the military prisons from which an exchange
of our men, who lad been some time confined
there, was just then in progress Whiting was
reported 10 be conducting a reinforcement to
jackson. destined for more fighting in the
North, and poss LILY the taking Of Washington.
Then Whiting proceeded, via Lynchbrrg and
Charlottesville even sd Stanton. going SO far
gage. But two days thereafter be re-embarked
npon the same trains and steamed back to the
neighbUEhn0d Of Charlottesville, where be
formed junction with Stonewall, who had
already come that far in his speedy and secret
march 10 Richmond. The evening of the 18th
gf June found this swift lieutenant Of General
Lees. thus re-entoraed BY Whiting quietly en-
cainped i'll tht IaiEhb0rhood Of Ashland.
Tor several days Writings northern move
ncnt had produced z profound sensation, thor
rnghiy deceiFing everybody on our side, not
excepting the indnistigabie newspaper CORE
Epglaenis Er. LirrGia was Just about renew
ing his promise 10 Sefd Mcdowell to Mcclellan
who renia nOf help being affected BY hopes oil
his coming though. like objects in mirage
hc he'd ~ often been deceived by them. The
reports of returning prisoners and AcClellan's
DHn Telegram that Writings division had CONC
10 Staunton. settled the matter Mcdowell did
mot c0fne. Bal Tor these hopes, SO often revived
and the evident fears Of Mr.. Stanton for tho
safety Of the Capital, should Mcdowell 20 Il
Mcclellan. or even Mcclellan himself cross tho
EaickahgBinFI repeat. that but for these
hopes and fears Mcclellan would long since have
transferred liz dep0tE 10 the james River be
yolad his let lank, where the navy could have
rD-Cpcratad with him and given him enectua
aid. And further, he Eonld have withdrawn tn,
llst Of his troops namely, bis right wing, undel
Eitz-John Porter. from the left bank of tha
Eatal clickahomDy Put now, whoever wa
lG blame for delays aud things not done
#hefllcT Lees Discrimination, Mr.. Lincoln'
taars, On Mr. stantonis politics, or that othe
Eslse 10 often alleged, our leaders habitua
auti0n and slaWness-the startling fact be
saEnE plain To Mcclellan as early as the oath O
InBc- tiat ii was now too late TO attempt
moye-in fact, that his proposed movement
you'd nor be made without battle.
JACKSON SLIPS AWAY.
IL seemed at first quite impossible tina
Jackson could eludc the watchfnlness Of Ere
mont. Banks and Mcdowell, whose forces, SO IA
Hsunder. tn had been fighting by turns Eyel
after Mcclellan knew that Jackson was a
ts0rlonsriIe. he believed that his sudden re
iED4fade would he quickly followed up, at least
BIZ Mcdowell. Bot when most positive info1
NATION Of Stonrwall Jacks0ns arrival al Ash
hand was speedily brought TO McClcllan's tent
AZ Was plain that the large armies which wcr
In the field, whose whole business ii was 1
watch The safety 0f the Capital by guarding Tia
vulnerable approaches. had at last suffered TIA
foe whom they 50 much feared, TO escape froI
them and return 10 Richmond without a blol
sgtr VrFf8tGfFf F1nyefsfr