The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-23

o. SrrAxRR "E. B. HALE"

y
Orr "INprAx HEAD" Oct IS, 1861.
EprroR REpuBLIcAx-My last letter contained
a prophecy Namely, that in few days you
would hear of ali expedition that would efiectuai-
" rid the banks of the Potomac OF the rebel
batteries. In making this prediction, did not
take into account the cowardice Ot our foes
They have not given our feet on opportunity to
shell them out, but at the first symptom OF dan
ger, ran. The earthworks Oh Matthias and Free
stone point. are deserted. Vessels pass up and
down the river unmolested.
On the morning OF the eleventh instant, We
received orders to get up steam and put down
the river to ''Budd's Ferry" for the purpose OF
observing the movements Of come rebel infantry
that we're encamped there. We started at one
o'clock A. NJ aud had just arrived when We were
joined by the "Resolute,' Reliance and
valley City" Something Was up" OF course,
but what, We were unable TO determine. We
could See the rebel camp fires plainly and with
the aid of night glass, observed the masts OF a
schooner lying at anchor about a mile up the
creek Soon the "Resolute" steamed slowly
and noislessly up the creek and We awaited anx-
iously the result of the movement. They passed
along within eighty rods of the rebel camp and
found the schooner in possession OF sentry who
ran at their approach. The Captain OF the
d" Resolute " boarded her, went into the cabin
piled up the furniture and left. He must have
dropped match while at work, for soon after,
the vessel vas wrapt in fame. When seceshsa
it,
At once there rose % wild veil
A. al tie neads from Heaven that fell
Had pea ed the banner IL Hell. >"
| The "Resolute" came down into the river.
brought her guns to bear and sent eight shell
among the infantry as a parting salute. Thus
ended the only Naval Expedition that your
correspondent has had the good fortune yet 10
witness. What is to be doue in the future is
more than | can say. Ii is a positive fact, that
you in Central Michigan, know more about the
movements of our forces, than We do here. And
it speaks well toO for the discretion of those il
command Ii would rot answer for sailors Oh
soldiers TO be aware of contemplated movement:
long time in advance. They would feel as did
an urchin pupil OF mine, to whom one night just
before school closed, promised whipping mex
morning. Said he, Master, please give it te
me now, then won't have it to think Of" Thi.
thinking o" what you are to do, may be vel
enough in common business transactions, but al
such serious time now. il is far better tha
| all the shrinking" should be done ~ those VIII.
have studied the art of war; Let those VIII,
are to fight, wait patiently, IN camp or at anchor
and when the word is passed to " forward" there
will be time enough for speculation upon proba
BILE results
| During my stay at Washington l visited the
Michigan I'd, Sd and sth regiments. Found al
"our boss" in good fighting condition and anx
ious to do something. Maj. Williams, Capt. FL
der, DR.. Shank and Leuts. Cottrell and Chapman
| seem entirely at home in their new voca:ione
| The 9Th make fine show when on dress parade
Col. Fenton is very prompt in attendance to hi
duties, and universally beloved by his men
Washington presents strong sight just now
It is walled in by tented and tenanted camps
We must have now, nearly if not quite 20O.O
men in its vicinity. And yet there lie no confu
sion. The mighty machinery is watched an
cared for by the great military genius of tn
age. A man young in years, small in stature
well knit form, Napoleonic head, and an eye tina
looks right through you. He sits his horse wit
uneaualled grace. looks the great General tina
he il, says but little but is mighty in deed:
Such is Geo. B. Mcclellan. God bless hin.
also had the pleasure of seeing Gen. Scot,
The old Chieftain seems to bear the weight G
years well. The old fire in his eye - the ia
proud form but slightly bowed-and his deter
nination to stand by the Government that hs
so highly honored him, as strong as ever.
| President Lincoln looks exactly like one
the "plain people he alluded to in his Inaug
raj There never was more popular President
All accord him honesty and integrity of purpose
answering fidelity to the Constitution and tn
Laws, and a Fixed determination to uphold an
defend them.
Your correspondent cannot, in this letter
speak Of all the items and objects of interest i
Washington. My stay was very pleasant, an
rendered SO in great degree by the kind atter
ton Of F. G. Russell, Esq, formerly of Lansing
In my next hope to give some war news"
i. Truly, &C., A.C. w.