Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-06-12
THE; NEWS HERE.

i
June Z, 1861.
was last moralizing over the altered condition
of the anc ent, venerable and respectable borough
Of York, Pennsylvanla,-altered vastly for the
better, too,-no longer dull and solid; but lively,
enterprising, active, industrious. In few words
az fairly slirs any other American town Of its
Population. Thus We live In progressive age
and country.
From few miles south Of York, the Pennsylva-
ria Northern Central railway. which | am
riding, follows up the course of the Susq johanna,
noble river in its breadth and the sUbdued beauty
of the scenery surrounding II and upon its bosom;
FOR Its numerous deeply shaded islets meet the eve
at every turn. We swiftly pass many villas and
villages between York and Harrisburg, all CT
modern construction bright with paint and ma
lures unsqualled painting Of branching trees and
creeping surubbery. The view Immediately ap-
prOaching Harrisburg II remarkably fue one
The city (fOr II Is now quite city, stands on the
bank Of the Susquehanna, so close to the rivers
point Of exit through the Blue Ridge, as that the
mountain forms for 1t an admirable background;
causing Its churches. state House and other con-
siderable buildings to stand out as conspicuous
points Of the picture; while even the smoke from
the tall chimneYs Of its many manufactures adds
agreesbly to the view
TO Harrisburg, there, too, saw evidence OF the
anomalous condition Of the country. At Its huge
depot as at every stopping place upon the way,
were numerous soldiers A full regiment Il be-
heve the Twentieth Pennsylvanens) were upon
two trains, ABOUT to set out to join Gen Patter-
sons command at Chambersburs. They crowded
around the windows of the train from the South
on which travelled, eagerly iEGuiriug for news
from tie seat Of war, and evidently anx Gus to get
70 harpers Ferry, their destination, ere the d rsi
gan may be fired there. How thoroughly the
loyal States aroused to the military necessities
OF our country's condition, was most forcibly H.
Illustrated by the state Of things in Harrisburg
passing before my eyes in the twenty minutes |
was there. Indeed the public mind there was
quite as absorbed by that single consideratio
as II Is IN Washington.
Leaving the train Of the Northern Central road
ard embarking on that OF the Pennsylvania Cen
trsl soon recrOsSed 20 the west bank of the Su,-
quehanna, and for twelve miles Coursed up il in
sight of the train had jest left travelling up the
east bank. From the Susquehanna journeyed
up the valley of the Juaiata, narrow and skirted
with uncultivable hills for the most part, up to
Lewistown, siK:y-fOur miles from Harrisburg.
From thence, going west, the valley Tor some
twenty miles is much wider, and the bills sur
buildings and numerous villages Of better order
than In the less-invi,ing region just below. The
Juniata, upon the Immediate bank Of which
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad is located
for perhaps lis miles, has scarcely a ripple in
the way Of falls, though coursing all tie way at
the foot Of huge Hiountains-spurs CT the Ale
games On It's north bal K is located tie Penn
sylyania Canal, on which all the commerce te-
tween PittsbUrg and the Ohio region in its vicini-
fy was conducted before the construction Of this
very fine, well appointed and cap.taLly-managed
railroad.
Nezr sunset reached Altoona town of some
six thousand inhab. tants, at the immediate base
Of tie Aeghani-s created In the las, ten wears bv
the necessities Of the business of ths railroad Its
citizens are employees OF the railroad compapy.
ana traders, professional men, re, congregating
there to minister in various WAYS to their wants
he shoPs (mechanical) and ofrces Of the COM
pany at that point are among the most extensive
and admirably constructed In the United states
and both day and night one scarcely passes FIVE
minutes there without hearing the ehril or hoarse
neigh Ct the iron horse; IL being the sn,repot for
changing engines, train-nen, cars, &c, &c l..
situation is admirably Chosen In the heart OF a
Beautiful and rapidly improving region. The
railroad companyis hotel at A Altoona 1 found the
best kept, as well ss the largest and most elegant
ralrcGd house i ever saw. IL in all respects
equals COlenan's celebrated hotel at Niagara
Fails. l compare it with that remarkably fine
house, oecaus IL closely resembles II in the matter
ofspaciousness and solidity Of construction The
grounds surround ng it are laid Of with exquisite
taste and cultivated and cared for with an mucb
apparent solicitude as those surrounding the Can
itol at Washington. So far as convenience of
access, mountain Surroundings, fine trout fishing.
air, and hotel comforts are concerned no otbe,
popular summer resort CT fagged-out dsnizens of
the coast country and cities can boast more adj
vantages.
There, lat Altoona as everywhere else since 7
len Washington, the war, the war, the war wa,
present In all the surroundings. remained over
night there, and while there, saw two commands
OF PennsylvsniaEs, on different trains. Fastening
10 Camp Curtin preparatory to being ordered 70
join Gen Pattersons command, and a full ,soI-
ment Michigan troops, the Michigan Second On
TWO tfains pass oh their way 10 Washington dire,
innregiment, numbering G59 men, is In all req.
Peco fully equal To any that had previously roach
ed washington. IL is composed Of Young active
Intelligent, healthy, Clearly and well drilled men
Hwii take but very few weeks Of active and sc
fual service In the field to make IL a crack ,egI-
msnt Tor the tervice 1t is expected to perform.
W. WI.
0ESERAL ORDEks-The War Department b..
Issued the following i'm no,t,nt 90. L., a.,