The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-12-15

landlords sons; had been in the rebel
service, and were now home on Through.
They said they had been home ever since
Stuart's cavalry raid at White House, and
were waiting for another such dash in
order to get back again.
The provost-guard marched them all
back to Headquarters, which was Gin the
saddle" and our little party thought
proper to take shelter that night under
the wing OF the main column, instead Of
at farmhouse where we were not sure
but what our lives would pay for that
piece of information given before morn
ing.
The army maIched on until it reached
the transports. Some embarked at York
town, some at Newport News, and others
at Fortress Monroe. The troops were
literally worn out and discouraged, caring
but little where they went what they
did. They were huddled on board OF
transports, and were landed at Aqua
Creek
Gen. Mcclellan finding his army, as he
had anticipated, much depressed and dis
couraged IN consequence OF the retreat
from the Peninsula, sent the following
appeal to Gen. Halleck:
please say a kind word to my army
that | can repeat 10 them in General
Orders, in regard to their conduct at York
town, Williamsburg, West Point, Hanover
Courthouse, and the Chickahominy,
as well as in regard to the Seven Days
and the recent retreat No one has ever
said anything TO cheer them but myself.
Say nothing about me; merely give my
men and officers credit for what they
have done. They deserve it,"
The Army of the Potomac had performed
an enormous amount Of labor in max
ing intrenchmeDts, constructing roads,
bridges, etc, and did it with the most
gratifying cheerfulneSS and devotion to
the interests of the service. During the
entire campaign they had fought 10 Sc
yerely contested battles, and had beaten
the enemy on every occasion. showing
the most determined bravery and in
vincible qualities it was possible for an
| army to exhibit. They had submitted to
exposure, sickness and death without a
murmur, and they deserved the thanks OF
the Government and the people for their
services.
On arriving at Aqua Creek, we found
ourselves the victims of another rain
storm. Five OF us went On board of
little steam tug, and thus escaped a Sc
we're drenching during the night, for we
had not yet seen our tents We did not
remain long at Aqua Creek, but were
ordered to embark Immediately for Alex
andria, Va. When we arrived there,
Pope's army was in danger of annihila-
ton; and, consequently, as fast as the
Army OF the Potomac arrived, it was
ordered TO Pope's assistance; one portion
in one direction, and another in another
direction, until it was cut up into sec
tons, and Gen. Mcclellan was left at
Washington, without an army or any
thing TO command except his staff
A GENERALS REQUEST.
Immediately after arriving at Alexandra
started for the battlefield, where a por-
ton OF MsCelian'3 army had gone to re-
inforce Pope. Everything seemed to be in
n confused state. There was no definite
information with regard to The force of the
enemy in that direction, and it seemed
impossible to obtain any from reliable
sources McClellanS troops were ordered
to the front, under new commanders, lust
as they came off the transports in which
they arrived from the Peninsula, without
any rest, or a proper supply of clothing.
shoes, or blankets; all of which thew
much needed, after sucn Il march as thew
had just accomplished.
While the battle ragged and the roar of
cannon was reverberating over the Ma
tional Capital, Mcclellan sent The follow
ing request to Gen. Halleck:
81 cannot express to you the pain and
modification Il have experienced to-day
| in listening TO the distant firing OF NV
| men. AS can be OF no further use here,
| respectfully ask that, if there is a prob
ability of the conflict being renewed to-
morrow, | may be permitted to 20 to the
scene OF battle with my staff, merely to
| be with my own men, if nothing more.
| They will fight none the worse for NV
being with them. If it is not deemed
| best to intrust me with the command
even of my own army, simply ask to be
permitted to share their fate on the field of
battle"
The troops under Pope were several
days in the vicinity of the Shenandoah
Valley, with no rations but those they
found in the fields, such as fruit, green
| corn, and vegetables. They certainly
were in poor condition to fight, and there
was evidently a lack of that cheerful.
enthusiastic spirit which had character
| lied them on the Peninsula.
AGAIN A CoNTRABAND.
| / was ordered by Gen. H to pass the
rebel lines, and return as soon as pos
sibe. took the train at Warrenton juno
ton, went TO Washington, procured "a dis
guise, that of a female contraband, and
returned the same night. | passed
through the enemy's lines in company
with nine contrahands, men, women, and
children, who preferred to live in bondage
with their friends, rather than to be free
without them. ! had no difficulty what
ever in getting along, for !, with several
others, was. ordered to Headquarters to
cook rations enough, the rebels said, to
last them until they reached Washington. |