The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1861-12-05
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence OF the Upton Advertiser.

WASHINGTON D. c., Nov. u, 1861.
FRIEND DANIELS:
Yesterday, everybody WHO liked could
pass to the Virginia side of the Potomac
to witness a grand review at Bailey's
cross roads. l concluded to avail myself
of the opportunity to visit the " sacred
SOIL" and make observations.
At an early hour the masses were mo-
wing to be on the ground at the appoint
ed time. The roads were lined with car
riages, horsemen aud pedestrians, all anx-
stand point. The roads were guarded,
and spectators were forced to take round
about roads, leaving the more direct
routes for the movement Of troops. |
vas fortunate enough to reach the place
Of review in time enough to see the arri
val Of Gen. Mcclellan and stsf, Presi.
dent Lincoln, Secretaries Seward and
Cameron They were greeted with salvos
Of artillery. and then Gen Mcclellan, ac.
companied by the President, Secretaries
Seward and Cameron, on horseback,
dashed along the various lines greeted
with tremendous cheers from the troops
This review was like others, descriptions
Of which your readers have had, excep,
in magnitude. There were hard Gu tc
1905 men in review. This great ar
my passing before the spectator, in close
proximity to Munsons Hill, but short
time since in possession of the rebels,
and an historical point, added interest to
the scene. There were other things
however that attracted my attention. l
found the whole section desolatc; not a
fence left, scarcely, farms all ovcrrun
buildings deserted, and no life or bust
ness manifest, unless connected with the
army Of occupation. Most of this pro.
perty belongs to rebels, who arc reaping
the rewards Of their own trcachery--
There are some few Union men who have
also suffered. Nearly every prominent
hill, near the river, is fortified, and as
you approach the long bridge, from the
Virginia side, every iach Of ground is
commanded by bristling guns ready to
pour terrible storm uf iron on au ad
. vancing foe.
The soil Of this portion of Virginia is
poor-c'ay and gravel-and has teen
badly worked. The surface is broken
and hilly, reminding one Of that section
of Cedar west of Tipton near the river.
OF course an army cannot move safely in
such country without scouts and ,kirm-
shcrs in advance, for a regiment can be
concealed in every ravine until the mo.
ment of sudden attack. This difficulty
Of an advancing army is increased here
by thick uuderbrush. Within two or
three miles of Washington the Union
troops have cut down great portion of
the woods, SO that an enemy could not
approach under cover.
While passing through the camps Of
our regiments l noticed the men were
learning how to make themselves COM
Portable in cold weather, by stockadng
their tents and introducing underground
fire places. The army is not only improv-
ing ia drill and tactics but also in cndu-
rance. / don't think any nation could
marshal as many more hardy looking and
enthusiastic men as were reviewed yes
tcrday by the conmander-in chief. There
were about twenty-five artillery batteries
and ten regiments of cavalry included in
the review, the Infantry, artillery and
cavalry of each division passing by them
selvcs-the rear of each division being
brought up by the ambulanccs belonging
to it. LoRZO.