New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-10-05
THE WAR FOR THE UNION.
TTFE ARMY I'm WASHINGTON.
Fom an Occasional Correspondent.

Efom an Occasional Correspondent
WASHINGTON Oct. 2, 1861
Adopting the view set forth in an article published
In Yesterdays TRIBUNE, i want not IN the least 10
crticse or dsconcert military movements, but TO tel
you Of a few things, which, to an unmitary man.
seem strange. don't know that | am sorry lney
need explanation, but il would crafty my curiosity
70 have them explained. ~.
have my preeonceived notions OF wha' so''''''
under good discipline and good commanuei'
have seen something of soldiers, as travellers uo III
garrison towns and caserns all over EuIVPe' "uu
even in camp, and on the march IN itay ana tnousu
I have no great confidence in my Judgment, 1 never
could help having an Impression, whenever saw
a body of soldiers, about their relative quality-an
ordinary travellers snap judgment. Its the same
here. only don't dare, aud don't, hold the opinion
ofonr troops which, as a traveller, should at once
form. from seeing the same things with body Of
French or German, or Turkish, Egyptian soldiers.
But think it strange that my preconceived notions
of certain duties Of military officers 80 altogether
at fault in an army.
There is the largest number Of United States regu-
lars, differed mainly from West Point, in Washing
ton, that have been together, / believe, in many
years. The towR is practically gausoned with them
bdon't know how many there are and If / did, /
wouldn't say-but some thousands. have not seen
a single regiment, company, platoon or squad, uni
formly and fully dressed. have seen two OF three
squadrons of cavalry. No two men were dressed
alike. Some wore oveTcoats, some did not, some
wore flannel jackets, some cloth coats; some hats,
with feathers, some bats, without feathers. some
regulation fatigue caps and some any sort of civil
ian's cap, or hat; some had their coats buttoned,
some half buttoned some not at all butOned; and 80
throughout. The horses were not well-groomed, the
saddles and brides were greasy and dusty, the bits
and plates were furnished and rusty. And it is
that yon anything else than this the streets
Of Washington of the regular cavalry. There is
greater neaness and evidence Of in the infantry
when on duty, yet have not seen so much as q
squad Of the infantry uniformly and completely
dressed, except a guard at guard-mounting. The
nearest approach to a display that have seen was
at the funeral of the late COmmissary-G this
morning. 1t was an occasion, if ever, in which full
dress, and the fullest military deeorum in al re-
spects, was to have been observed. l believe that
no part of the cortege was in full regulation uni
form: in fact. doubt if there is such thing in ex
itenee as full regulation uniform. The priyates
all wore fatigue caps. On the same gun-carrisge,
and on the same seat, there three brown caps,
and one blue. In the platoon of infantry, some
wore flannel sacks aad some regulation coats. There
was a guard Of honor of sergeants attending the
hearse. Even these did not wear the fudress hat.
One wore a cap cover the rest didnot; another wore
his visor up, the rest down; another wore afu body
uniform, the rest flannel sacks. The Only uniform
article was white gloves these, understand, the
men furnish themselves, not the Government. The
officers were not even uniform in this respects some
wore brown and some yellow, and some white
gloves. A line officer Of the infantry wore cavalry
gaustlets. Some wore the full-dress hat some caps
some cap-eovers. One came on the ground in 6
brown citizens oyercoat and took it off and strapped
It to his saddle without dismounting. The officers
horses were not well groomed nor decently equipped
One rode past with parcel in a newspaper strapped
behind his saddle. Some had English saddles, some
the regulation saddles with all sorts of stirTups anC
housings. Some wore stocks, some standing and
rolling collars; and one young fellow, who,
dare say is gallant and noble, but whose want of 6
true sense of military propriety-accordine
TO my preconceived notions about it-gavt
him squrtose look, big white shir
collar turned sailor-fashon over his coatcoar TIL,
hearse-driver the horses were not led, but driver
four in hand) wore a brown and battered hat
greasy coat Of streaked and faded snuf-color. Yol
rarely see cart-driver north of Maryland 80 shah
billy dressed. BY his side on the hearse was blacl
boy, in plantation apparel. might point out more
of these incongruities within civilan's notons bal
this will show you what ia considered the thing at
military funeral of @ General, from the West Point
Of view or, if not, / should like to have it ex-
planned
Ii surprised me less after getting accustomed 10
this in the regulars, when had time to go out and
zee what is considered the thing for volunteers
They are, according to my old civilians notion, mos
astonishingy shabby careless, and inexact in every
respect. You may call it free, individual, and wide
awake if you like. 1t don't look 80. Perhaps they
all the better soldiers for it, bat did not to
be thought 50, and il surprises me. MUFF.