The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1861-05-09
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Upton Advertiser
WAS,yI<aTnN Apr;l 90

FRIEND DANIELs-When | came to
this city, five or six weeks ago, did not
think it would be the seat of war, or
that even the mails would be obstrucled,
and communications with my Northern
friends cut off. Then we ali hoped that
Maryland and Virginia would be wise
70. themselves, sndbe loyal to the Star
Span9led Banner" But the traitors in
these states have overawed the more
humble and Union-loving citizens, and
precipitated those States into hostile
position toward the United State Govern
ment. This has caused temporar, en-
barrassment. as it places our Capital in an
enemy's country, but, in the end, will
be of advantage to the Government, for
it is bettar - know, at once, WHO can be
depended upon to support ou. govern
ment, than to have PLACID dependence
on these States, and have Lad tie traitors
prove themselves by double trcachcry.
For week after the 18th inst, the
Capital was in critical position, and if
the traitors had not been towards. as
well as traitors, they might have taken
the Capital, for we were not prepared to
Naakke VT dfastuidalle Resistance, Id be
here who would have sold their lives
dearly iu defense Of cur Capital and our
liberties; but had Virginia aud Mary
land brought against US the troops they
could have concentrated here in two
days--taking their brssgadocio as the
measure Of their men, means, and cour-
agc-wc should have been in a tig ght
place. No,c we are ready for them at
any time, for, thanks to the noble free
States, men and money, to any required
amount, are on hand, for the defense Of
Washington, and in support of our gov
ernment and flag. The response to the
Presidents call for volunteers is crafty
ing to every lover Of our country, and
conclusive proof that the spirit that ami
mated our fathers in rs still lives in
their descendants, and that, notwithstan-
ding our partizan differences, we Of the
North are determined to support, protect
and defend the Constitution and liberties
our fathers bequeathed to US.
1t will be interesting to your readers
to know what preparations have been
made for the defense of this city. When
the call was made for volunteers. there
were about 800 regulars here, consisting
of two Artillery companies, two compa-
nies of Infantry, and a few marines in
the Navy yard. Up to the time of the
assault on the troops passing through
Baltimore, there had been mustered into
the United States service about 1000
city volunteers, and about 400 Pennsyl-
vanians, and including the Massachusetts
regiment assaulted, of 700 more, We had
only about $500 men for the defense of
the city, and all communication with the
North cut off; and, beside our external
foes, it was supposed the traitors in this
city, numbered thousands. Then, if
they had had an able general, and the
courage they tell about, we were in a
critical position. We sa,c 1t, and the
sojourp ers in the city who were loyal to
the Stars and Stripes formed ourselves
into volunteer companies under Gen.
Lane and Col. G. NJ Clay, aud rendered
our services to the Government military
authorities, and were accepted. We
were about 800 strong, but the names of
Gen. Lane, of Kansas, and Col. Clay, of
Kentucky, were a host Of themselves. -
The traitors were terrified, and, instead
Of making an attack, we're erpecting an
attack from Gen. Lanes Frontier Guard
In the meantime, Gen. Scott had all the
Department. buildings and Capitol build.
ings barricaded; seized Aour, &C., and
stored for seige. Volunteers from the
city continued to muster into the service;
orders were given to open military road
and communication with the North ;
scouts were sent out to keep US posted
as to the enemy's movements, and they
must have had knowledge of ours from
their confederates in this city, batteries
are stationed at the several bridges over
the Potomac, and the Anacostia to Ma.
1yland; patrols on the roads into the
city, and active and alert services requir
ed of our little force in guarding tho ar'
senal from the thieves, lfor if there j.
any one thing the traitors excel in, it il
stealing) and the Presidents house and
other public buildings. But the rebels
for want Of courage, let the opportunity
slip by, and on Wednesday last the Gov
ernment had opened military road from
Annapolis here, and the N. Y. 7th Reg
iment vas welcomed here most joyousl