Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-08-22
Letter from Washington.
Correspondence Of the cHRoNcLR.
WASHINGTON CRY, d. c., |
August l4th, 1861.

w ASHIN0TON CTTf, ~. ",
August l4th, 1861. J |
DEAR CHRONICLE: Since the adjourn
ment Of Congress this city has become almost
as quiet as a country village, and notwith-
standing the presence Of large army in this
immediate neighborhood, items of news are
exceedingly scarce. Newspaper correspon.
dents who, before the Bull Run engagement
were so importunate for forward to Rich
mond" movement, have become appalled, at
the unfortunate result of their foolish and
criminal interfering with tho military policy
of our leaders, and are shy of meddling with
army movements Letter writer's, are there
fore, confined to the'record of facts, in a great
measure, without going into the sensational
spcculatons and predictions which charac-
terized their articles few weeks ago. This
is eminently proper, for if our military lead
ers are to be responsible for our success or
defeat, they must be protected against un-
warranted interference of the nature alluded
to.
The entire confidence universally manifest
ed here in the skill and ability of Gen.
Mcclellan to conduct the affairs of this
Department. is certainly highly compliment
ary to that gentleman, and Ohioans look on
him with pride, as one of the first appoint.
ments made by Gov. Dennison, and an ap-
pointment SO emminently fit to be made.
On the arrival of Gen. Mcclellan here he
found our army in state of fdisorganization,
to great extent, the streets, hotels, and
drinking saloons of the city crowded with
officers and soldiers in all the different stages
Of inebriation. His experienced eye noted
this reprehensible practice Immediately on
his arrival, and it was one of his first acts to
put stop to it. As an evidence of his sue
cess, it is now rare thing to see dsorderly
soldier on the streets, and every soldier or
officer is required to have pass showing his
business here, or be liable to arrest by the
patrol of the Provost Marshal, which can be
seen securing the streets at all times of the
day or evening. The camps across the river
are under the strictest military discipline,
and officers and men are kept rigidly within
their lines.
An instance of insubordination in. the
camp Of the n Y. Highlandcr's Regiment,
occurred this evening which created quite an
excitement in the city. They have been en-
camped on the ridge north of the city, and
on being ordered to march across the river,
a large number Of them positively refused,
urging as their excuse that they had promised
leave of absence to visit theis families and re-
cruit their Regiment. The appearance on
the, field Of Regiment Of regulars, and a
body of Cavalry, strongly armed tended
greatly to cool their mutinous feelings, and
they were marched to the Navy Yard under
a strong guard. The case will be investigated
in few days.
Reports from scouts across the river indi-
cate that the rebels are slowly moving their
forces to the line ofthe Potomac tits thought
with view Of getting footing in Maryland,
to foster, and encourage disunion sentiment
in that State, and eventually make demon.
stration on this city. Whether there is any
foundation for this report or not, our army
is on the qui uive for anything of the kind.
The pressure for office here in the different
) departments, but more especially in the
. War Department in perfectly terrific. The
numbers are greatly diminished, the timid
and modest applicants having retired in
despair, but those remaining arc perfectly
ravcnous, besieging the Departments con.
, tinually. learn that James Il. Wharton,
formerly of the Wheeling Times, has received
the appointment of Consul to the Fejee Is
lands, and Alfred Caldwell, Of Wheeling, the
appointment Of Consul to Honolulu.
notice about the City to-day, I believe
. the only member Of Congress from Ohio, re.
Q Ashley, of the Toledo District, who has been
/ detained here by business ofhis constituents.
{ Mr.. Ashley, though not obtrusive in his mode
| of doing business, is one of the very best
: most industrious and reliable of all our mem
t bers. Speaking Of Mr.. Ashley, reminds me
a ofa laughable incident which occurred ut hi'
4. room, few evenings since. 1t is doubtless
, known to your readers that many members
l OF Congress and others get serenaded, and in
their speeches Of acknowledgement express
, their great surprise at this unlocked fol
d compliment" &C., &c., but they probably
do not know how these serenades are brought
about. l can throw some little light on thai
subject. 1t appears that Band here send
. their agent, (which in this case was meel
looking lad, to the rooms of members, t
/ solicit an X from them for serenade. II
the call of the juvenile agent is successful
the morning papers toem with glowing ac
Q count of the serenade, and a publication Of
/ the speech expressing surprise, &c. Well
i while Mr.. Ashley was sitting in his room ,
day or two since, the aforesaid small boy
, presented himself before him, and meekly
serenaded to-night?'' "Serenade ~
roared Ashley, 'what have l done to en-
title me to serenade?' The poor boy
r frightened almost out of his senses, whineC
OUT why 60 to ever so many members
and they nearly all give us $40 for seren
ade," and with this apology the terri6et
. juvenile retired, mentally resolving never tt
/ trouble the member from the North Wes
; again. BELMONT.