Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-12-20
Correspondence Of the Free Press.l
LETTER FROM W WASHINGTON.

WAsHISGToS, Dec. 18th, ls6l.
.Nesss. Editors ofthe Free Press
How true it is that to
know what is going on in Washington you must
read the New York papers, can only be fully real
lied by coming here. Unless one is "behind the
scenes in position to see and hear the movements
going on and in prospect, it is impossible to learn
in any other way than from the city papers. Re
sidents here depend on them for information, and
even the Washington newspapers get much valu-
able intelligence from them about Army and Con-
gressional operations.
It is confidently as erted in high official circles
that battle will shortly take place across the
Potomae-but possibly you may have heard that
before. Truly, the assertion has begun to lose
some Of its force, as week after week goes by and
no advance is made. But indeed, the probabil.
ties Of a conflict seem as strong now as ever and
a gentleman who has some opportunities to know
about matters here,e1presses his opinion that the
Rebels will attack our lines within a few days.
Yesterday the Adjutant General was closeted
With Gen. Mcclellan for several hours, and ad-
mission to his quarters denied, Something is on
foot without a doubt, but what I am not at lber.
ty to disclose, as the special dispatches say.
You noticed Of course, resolution introduced
in Congress TO have Mason and Slidell put 10 close
confinement, as Coils. Corcoran and Wood are 1t
has not yet passed, but undoubtedly will, and an
order will be issued, if it has not ays1ag gone, for
them to be treated like our brave men in Charles
t9n. 1t looks retaliatory. somewhat like lower
ing ourselves to the rebel level, bt it is the only
way of dealing with them-the only mode Of re-
prsal which they can understand or respect
Let US see if Mayor Wightman will ntnue to
supply the strangers of distinction with delica-
c;es from the hospital supplies.
In the Senate little was done Yesterday but
to-day there will be a crowd to hear the speeches
on the announcement of Senator Bakers DEATH
There is much feeling manifested, and it will be
strange if soma fine speaking is not made. A
rush of visitors is anticipated.
Washington is full to overfowing at present;
every hotel and clearinghouse is full to the
skylight, and many families take boarders who
never did betore,-unless it was during the inau-
guraton. The double attractions of the army and
Congress bring crowds of people in, and the ex-
pectation of coming battle doubtless has its eff
feet upon many who, despite the recollections of
civilian experiences at Bull Run, are anxious to
see a fight. One thing which might be considered
Indicative of an Immediate conhct,-the sudden
disappearance Of army men-doesnt appear
Willard's is full Of officers and Pennsylvania av-
enue of soldiers.
fit we're worth while, and if you did'nthave them
by telegraph long before letter can reach you,
mi ght fill long letter with what l hear to-day;
how that Charleston is taken and held by our
troops-too good to be true,-how Gen. Mcclellan
did not attempt in any way to influence the Pres.
ident-this l have, of course, on the best of au-
tbority;-how Gen. Smiths Division was ordered
forward into Virginia this morning, my inform
ant, one Of the Vt. Brigade, did not know how
far: how Gen. B,enker ordered this after
noen TO have his Division ready to move forward
tomorrow morning; plenty more stories about
the army, some impossible and all improboble.
whyt eloquent speeches were made in Congress,
&C. 1t is is of no use; any important army
movement you will hear Of as soon as I, and Of
the speeches in Congress before letter can reach
you.
There is one thing about the Capitol that must
strike every one; the peculiar perfume that per-
yades most of the build g-the odor of triturated
cereals undergoing coction, the in short. smell of
brad. There is good reason for the smell, for
the Capitol basement is the bakery for the Army.
An incredible amount of -four is daily converted
into bread and supplied thence to the soldiers
When the Massachusetts, 9Th was quartered in the
Capitol last April, its members, tired of the hard
bread alone furnished them, longed for bite of