Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Ken Perdue.
Mr. William H. Stiner’s Despatch.
FORTRESS MONROE, June 14, 1864.
THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC
has been doing nothing but manœuvre and make flank movements for a week past. Of course Lee, with his immense command, did not stand by and allow Grant to have everything his own way, and consequently a great deal of skirmishing along our lines has been the result. In a very short time the public will hear of some important and interesting movements, which will add another phase to this campaign. For the present, to publish an expose of future plans, or the location and occupation of our army, would be a manifest injury to the service and give aid and comfort to the enemy.
General Grant has undertaken a most difficult and hazardous manœuvre; but he will succeed, and have the rebel forces in a tight place. Before the close of this week you may expect to hear some startling news.
ON GENERAL BUTLER’S FRONT
everything is thus far very quiet. The gunboats practice somewhat with their artillery, and an occasional shot is sent as a reminder to General Creole Beauregard from our intrenchments, as a gentle admonition that “we still live.” The failure of Gillmore in co-operating with General Kautz in his dash on Petersburg causes considerable disappointment, and is deeply deplored and severely criticised by the best military men, all of whom express their opinion that the place should and could have been easily taken.
THE WEATHER
for the last few days has been delightful, and everything that could be desired for army operations. The air is cool and refreshing, and more like fall than a week before dog days. Yet it is very unhealthy, and has a bad effect on the soldiers, as a number of them have caught cold from the sudden change.
AT HAMPTON ROADS,
among the shipping, everything is very quiet. We have now, as far as naval vessels are concerned, a very small fleet in the harbor, as follows — United States frigate Minnesota, Captain John B. Upshur; R. R. Cuyler, Captain Downes, awaiting orders; frigate St. Lawrence, Captain Dominic Lynch, ordnance ship, gunboat Cambridge, Captain Wm. F. Spicer, to sail to-morrow for Wilmington, on blockade service, and the Young Rover, Captain Ira B. Studley, guardship.
RESIGNATION OF A GALLANT OFFICER
Captain Preston A. F. West, an aid de camp of Major General W. F. Smith, commanding the Eighteenth Army corps, who has participated most nobly in twenty two battles, was yesterday relieved from duty at his own request, in order to report to Professor Bache, Chief of the Coast Survey, for duty. In parting with Captain West, General Smith issued a highly complimentary order, thanking him for his readiness at all times to execute orders, and highly recommending him for great bravery, skill and general efficiency as a soldier. Captain West is to make a survey of the coast from Cape May to New York.1
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Source:
- New York Herald, June 16, 1864 ↩