The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-07-10
Stray Leaves from Camp-No. 5.
CAMP GEoRGErowN HEIGHrs, D. c.,
June %, 1861,

vas written and dispatched so hastily that did
Tot have time TO examine it closely. so that l
.carceIy knew what did write. l think however
hat | made slight mistake as TO our exact lOca-
lion. We are encAmped oil the Maryland side
Of the Potomac at the chsa bridge, situated
about seven miles g. W. of the capital. Our teats
are pitched on a rocky bluff, commanding the
bridge, the river and the road approaching the
opposite shore. Our battery constructed since
We came here mounts three coiumbisds and two
howitzers. II is position Of much Importance |
and has been considered the only available point
Of approach for the rebe! army to reach the cap
tal; the Michigan third think however. that
should force not exceeding six times the mum
Der of our Regiment move in this direction, they
would not find even this point very available;
should they by stratagem reach the bridge they
would fRd trap set fer them that would not
fail to secure its prey. This it is not prudent at
present to describe. There are no rebels nearer
than five miles, and they in small numbers We
are kept in a continual state of excitement
sleep on our arms every night and have every
thing in readiness 10 either march o. fight. The
boys are all eager to get sight of a secession
camp. Bull Frizrle," notorious character,
was arrested the other night for exhibiting signal
lights, and is still prisoner. Another broad
brimed hat, long haired chap of the genus +. +.
", was brought into camp and required to give
an account of himself, which failing to do, he
was put under guard to await further deve.ope
ments. He attracted more attention old Abe did
We have visited the Michigan I'd, on several
occasions. The Regiment lie under excellent
discipline. The camp neat-everything moving
with the precision of clock work Major Will
Jams, who by the way is general favorite in the
Regiment. received US with one of his genial
souled welcomes, and invited US to dine with
him. We partOok of a repast such AS would
please the palate o. an epicure, let alone per-
son who had been living on pork and dry bread
for several day. We are sorry to say the Major
is not enjoying the best possible ealth.
We also visited the Michigan First at Alexan.
dria. This camp We found the most perfect in
detail CT any We have vet visited Ii was noon
when we arrived at camp, aud sharpened appe-
tite gave US a relish for most excellent dinner,
to which We we're invited by Capt. Graves, Of
Adrian. We had never met him before, but it
required but moment to discover that he had
the qualifications of a thorough soldier and gen
tleman. He gave us much valuable information
in regard To their movements in an enemy's
country. He also related some amusing rs well
a. daring incidents connected with the occupa-
:iOn of Alexandra. Some massive silver plate
and China ware upon the dinner table was taken
from a rebel camp, indicating that the mess who
used such valuable furniture must have belonged
to the + +. VS.. Too bad that it should be dis
graced by adjoining the table of a Wolverine
mudsili
Fort Ellsworth, a formidable earthwork forti
fcaton constructed by the LIST Michigan and
the Zouaves is situated directly east OF the city, on
an amnence commanding the river, railroad, and
all other roads approaching the city. 1t mounts
tweniy.six heavy guns, a number Of twelve
pound hOwitzsrs, and several rihed cannon oil
very long range. The fertilization is under com
mand of Col. Wilcox, of the First, and garrison
sOned by the lst Michigan, and company OF
regular artillery. The Michigan Regiment, dc
not remain in the fort except in case of an alarm
The post is an important one, and shows the con.
fdence reposed in the First by the Government
The position could be held against an army OF
ten thousand men.
Alexandria is one of the most desolate looking
places ever saw. -Four fifths of the stores and
full one half of the dwellings, are closed. Not .
cart, dray. omnibus, or anything of the kind il
to be seen in the streets.
We mingled freely among the citizens, and
being in citizens dress, they cOnversed without
reserve. Every person conversed with was a
secessionist, come of them very rabid in their
denunciat'on of the U. s. Government All ex-
press a cordial hatred Of the Zouaves, and spea.
in the highest terms of the Michigan First, say.
ing if they mus have northern troops over them,
they prefer the Michigan Regiment.
We enquireG where their merchants clerks,
and other business men were. All gone with
the army was the reply. They say that out of a
population Of $4,000, not hundred young men
could be found in the city. We visited the Mar
shall House. The stairway and floor where
Ellsworth fell has been nearly cut away by pat
riotic yankees as Ellsworth mementoes. From
the flag staff floats the Stars and Stripes
Rev. Mr.. Myers, the chaplain, seemed pleased
to See US. As his appearance indicates, camp life
agrees with him. President Lincoln and Secre-
tary Seward, visited and reviewed the Regiment
last evening. The President complimen,ed the
Regiment for she fine appearance of the men.
Seward appeared very natural, but there is
nothing about the President to indicate that he
was the subject OF the various cuts aud portraits
OF the last campaign, said to be correct picture
of Old Abe.
Harvest is nearly over in this vicinity. Straw
berry season has passed. cherries, currants, &c,
are plenty, at good round prices.
There is some diarrta in camp. The measles
have about disappeared. Cook, Case. Perry,
AcRoberts, n. W. Miller, Carr, and Strickland,
we're left in the hospital at Grand Rapids, under
charge Of Capt. Price. We have had no official
information in regard TO them. We heard unUf.
fcialIy that Strickland had died. Gaskill and
Butler are in the hospital at this place. Lieut..
Jefferds is also under treatment Michael Donely
deserted in Detroit.
M;dshipman Grisuold, Mr. Russell, ard Mr.
Goodrich, all former residents Of Lansing, have
been to see US. The latter was the first Micbi.
gan man to welcome US to the city. He pays
nod Iaol ns Oh Oh,