The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1861-10-24
FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON D. c., Oct. II, 1861.
FRIEND DANIELS:
Week after week rolls by and have
no decided army movement to chronicle.
We are in continued expectancy Of some
decided action, on the part Of the grand
army, now that cool weather and the first
frosts have come. But as yet VIC have
to be contcnted with small advance on
portion Of our lines Sometimes these
are above and sometimes below the city
Every few days we hear the report Of
great guns in the distance and anxiously
wait for an explanation, thinking the time
has come at last, but the next paper says
"there was artillery practice yesterday on
the north, or south, side of the city, as
the reports may have indicated. But |
can inform you in advance Of the papers,
OF fight. near Harper's Ferry, that came
off yesterday. The telegraph reported,
last night, that fight had been going
on, in that ncig hborhood, for ten hours
and that the rebels are beaten and t! e
correspondent was writing his dispatch
on "thirty.two FOUNDER taken from
the rebels. Our papers, here, are not
very enterprising and, although l heard
this last evening, they have no report Of
the action this morning.
Several regiments Of infantry and ar
tillcry batteries have been leaving this
city, on secret expeditions, for four days
past but there is continued inflow to
keep our force here on the Increase.
The health Of our troops is improving
and we do not hear, so much, of typhoid
fever in the camps. Some regiments
have suffered severely from this fever
Among these was the 18th Indiana-so
many of these were taken with virulent
symptoms: at one time, that it was feared
they had been poisoned. Sec. Smith,
being particularly interested in these
Indiana boys, provided them with an un.
occupied room in the Patent office build.
ing, for hospital, where they could have
better quarters than ordinarily is the 10,
of the soldier. The clerks in the De-
partment from Indiana, at tie instance
OF the Secretary, contributed furniture
and when | visited this temporary hos.
ptal few days ago, | found over one
hundred enjoying the benefits thereof
The clean linen and gentle voman's care
were extras not usually enjoyed by sol.
d'eFs and must contribute largely to the
convalesence Of the sick This hospital
Is under the especial patronage of Mrs
Sec. Smith, who visits these sick daily
ana contributes many Of the necessities
and deilcacles that contribute to their
comfort Mrs. Smith has other s;ck
soldiers who share her sympathy and
care IN her own home-thus showing a
nobility Of soul not common to ladies in
high position in this city, and therefore
make a note of it.
The 10Th inst. was the day appointed
or opening the bids for contracts to sun.
ply Indian goods. Several parties had
bids pending, and as the hour for omen.
nS drew near, one could see MANY anx.
Gus faces about the Office of the Commits.
'loner Of Indian Afrairs-at last the
agony was over and it was announced
hat the old firm (Cronin d. Co. J were tho
owest bidders. This firm have had ,bo
for furnishing these goods
many years, bu. it is said their bid was
everal thousand below former wears and
is thought they will lose money this
line, whatever they may have done be-
ore. 1t is gratifying to know that the
cad OF this Department has his atten.
lou drawn to some of the waste o.tes
nd Is making efforts to close them.
LoRZO.