The National tribune., 1898-10-27

New Bridge; Franklin's Corps three mile:
from New Bridge, with Porters Corps in adj
yancing distance in its rear: Summers Corp:
on the railroad about three miles from the
Chickahominy, connecting the right with
the left; Keyes's on New Kent road, near
Pottom's Bridge with Heintzelman's Corps
at supporting distance in its rear" The
ford was in possession of the Federal troops,
and a reconstruction of the bridge was i'm
mediately commenced,
On the oath of May the two following dis
patches were received by Gen. Mcclellan
from the President:
81 wish you to move cautiously and safe
". You will have command of Mcdowell
precisely as you indicated in your dispatch
to rs.
81 In consequence of Gen. Banks's critical
position. have been compelled to suspend
Gen. McDowellis movement to join you.
The enemy are making desperate push upon
Harper's Ferry, and we are trying to throw
Gen. Fremont's force, and part OF Gen. Nc
Dewell's, in their rear"
On the 25th. the President also sent the
following to Mcclellan:
1.-The enemy IS moving north in sufficient
force to drive Gen. Banks before him; pre-
cisely in what force we cannot tell. He is
also threatening Leesburg and Geary on the
Manassas Gap Railroad, from north and
south: think the movement is a general
and concerted one-such as would not be if
he was acting upon the purpose of very
desperate defense of Richmond. think the
time is near when you must either attack
Richmond or give up the job and come to
the defense of Washington. Let me hear
from you instantly"
To which Mcclellan replied:
Telegram received. Independently of
it, the time is very near when shall attack
Richmond. The object of the movement is
probably TO prevent reinforcements being
sent to me. All the information obtained
agree in the statement that the mass of the
rebel troops are still in the vicinity of Rich
mond.
~ have no knowledge Of BanlSs's position
and force, nor what there is at Manassas
therefore cannot form definite opinion as to
the forces against him. have two corps
across Chickahominy, within six miles of
Richmond; the others on this side at other
crossings, within same distance, and ready to
cross when bridges are completed"
ANOTHER DISGUISE.
While all these preparations were going
the rebel camp. 1t was not safe for me to
attempt 10 palm myself OFF again on the rebels
as co.orcd boy. In the first place, / should
he in danger of being recognized as the
cowardly picket who deserted his post-a
crime worthy Of death, and in the next place,
j should be in imminent danger Of blistering
my hands agAin-a thing which / felt par
ticularly anxious TO avoid especially in per-
forming labor that would enable the enemy
more successfully to repel the attacks of the
Eederals.
Now a new disguise was necessary. de-
cided to abandon the African relation and as
sumo that Of the Hibernian. Having had
this in view before leaving Williamsburg, /
procured the dress and outfit Of an Irish
female peddler, following the army selling
cakes, pies, etc, together with a considerable
amount of brogue and 4 set of Irish phrases,
which did much toward characterizing me as
6nc of the ''rale ould stock of bog .rotters. "
The bridges were not finished across the
Chickahominy when was ready TO cross the
river, 50 packed up my new disguise in my
cake and pie basket, aud with my horse,
Frank, took q bath in the cool wafer of the
Chickahominy. After swimming my noble
steed across She river dismounted and led
him 10 the edge of the water, gave him a
farewell pat and let him swim back again to
the other side, where soldier awaited his
return.
II was now evening; did not know the
precise distance to the enemy's picket-line,
but thought it best to avoid the roads, and
consequently / must spend the night in the
swamp, rs the only safe retreat. 1t required
some little time TO don my new disguise and
feel aft home in the clothes i thought the
best place Tor my debut was the Chicka-
hominy swamp.
did rot purpose this time to pass the
enemy's lines in the night, but to present
myself at the picket-line, at a seasonable
hour, and ask admission as one of the fugi-
tiycs of that section flying from the approach
of tie Yankees, which was 4 usual thing.
A NIGHT OF SUFFERING. =,
In crossing the river I had my basket
strapped On my back, and did not know that
all it contained was completely drenched
until required to use its contents. 1t was,