Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-16
AN BNGLISHMAN,S VIEWS OF THE
AMERICAN WAR

WASHINGTON, July II.
arrived in Washington the evening before
the meeting Of Congress. On my way had
been amused by seeing grave men enter the
car with long wands and old bulging proiec-
tions at the end thereof covered with bright
paper, which 1 was informed were "fockets'
in fact, the citizens we're preparing for their
great jubilee, "the Fourth Of July" and
fathers of families we're providing for the wants
Of their families in Catherine wheels, Roman
candles, and blue lights all along the line.
But for the density Of the crowd before Will
iard's and the other hotels along the great
avenue which runs from the State Department
and the American Whitehall ts the unfinished
pile Of the Capitol, one familiar with Wash
ington would not have perceived any indica-
tiODs that the most important Session of the
United States Congress that ever took place
was on the eve Of being opened. He would
indeed have seen many soldiers in the streets
many flags floating from the houses Commits
sariat carts, and the various wagons Of Volun-
tser regiments rafting over the stones and all
la0 s!sns Of war or of great military demon.
stratiOn; but there were no plscsrds on the
wslls-no parade of pamphlets and speeches
such ss might have been seen in the earlier
part Of the contest while there was yet room
for argument and mems minds were vehicles
Of debate. The following morning opened
With all the unaocustomed pcmp Of martial
display; the blast of trumpets the roll of
drums, the rosr OF distant guns, the tramp of
men reverbersted through the highways, and
the New York reg ments passed in review be-
fore the President and many Of his Ministers
in front Of the White House. What change
since the heir Of England stood there by the
side of one who may prove to be the last Presi-
dent Of the United States-united at least, as
voluntary entirety! The feeble courtIiness
Of Mr.. Buchanan is replaced by the straight
forward purpose and energy of Mr.. LinooIn,
on whose broad shoulders has fallen the griev-
Gus legacy of his predecessors vacillation and
errors; and the letters, despstches, and mes
sages which nurtured civil war are succeedrd
by speeches to armed legiOIs who are sbou. 10
end 1t by conquest or in defeat Itis probable
the English public are already familiar with
the lines Of the sallOW, long, and strongly
marked face of the present President which to
me Is indicative Of shrewdncSs honesty and
some love OF humor; eyes are deeply set, dark,
not very bright, but penetrating and kindly;
the tall lank body, set on long loose legs, with
powerful arms swinging by his sides, is in
cllned with sill hit stoOp forward, and in his
movements, if there be not much grace, there
Is no lack OF yigor. Beside him. towering
over the crowd and topping even the Presi.
dent, stands Gen. Scott, the veteran, but for
whom 1t Is not too much TO say, in spite of
heayen-bOrn warriors snd citizen soldiers in
civil life, just as Cabinets exist in the militia
and volunteer regiments the President would
probably not be there at all. The bold leo
nine front Of the man, the massive head and
broad forehead, the full fine eye, the mouth
broad and distinctly cut, and the square reso-
lutte chin srrest attention and recall the types
Of some better known commander; but Ameri-
cans are justly proud of one who In a military
career extending beyond half q century has |
been uniformly successful, and who has not
been less fortunate in any diplomatic or politi-
cal functions be has undertaken to discharge
The Virginians who burnt the house in which |
he was born lest it should see the birth of
another traitor, and who changed the name of
- KhaFS Sfofo \ e. L. -.
of Davis, will not do him any harm with pos
terity. His look and manner indicate that his
mind Is still vigorous, though the SHOWS Of rs
winters have wreathed their honOrs round hi,
brow; bat when the tOuerlike frame and great
torso are set in motion there is q feebleness in
gait and want Of power in the limbs which
show that age and wounds and hard labor have
taken their hostages and securities When
one turns to the keen, clear face of Mr. Sew
ard. strongly reminding US of Mr.. Douglas Jer-
roid, the contrast between tho military char
scter, as developed In the principal support of
the Cabinet and the Union, and the civilian
element displayed in the statesman who is
considered to be the best politician for Ameri-
can purposes in the Ministry, is very striking
The march past Of the troops would not be
thought much Of by the critic in such matters
Whs has seen the Tivacity Of the French allure,
the measured beat Of Austrian infantry, the
autcmaton precision Of the MuscoVite line, or
the solid tread of the British bsttalions, but
when II was known that these regiments had
been called out at few weeks notice as vol
unteers, and were equipped and sent to q Gov
eminent which last April had neither men
money, nor credit, aud was now at the head
OF an enormous army, with all the resour-
ces Of the Free States Of America at It's back
the moral force Of the fact overwhelmed
all the little exceptions 70 uniform, arms,
and that which time alone can give-discipline
The American element is not as yet 80 large in
these troops as one would have a right to
expert IN American troops, and when the
Italian and other foreign companies threw
bouquets and sprigs Of green on the estrade,
and at the feet Of the President and the Gene
raj, the ViVas uttered in various tongues were
the charters Of the emigrants to freedom, and
the rebuke Of those Americans who would &C.
cept the labors and the blood of those men,
and refuse them all right save that Of living in
and dying for the Union. Let rs pass over the
noise and crepitations OF Tie day, which were
like protrac'ion # a bombardment at Gre
I-"rne, OF q battlepiece In fireworks in by
gone Vauxhall. The Congress sat and elected
their officers, and the rumor went forth that
the Message would be delivered in the morn
ing. In front the lines were quiet, but it was
reported the enemy made a demonstration
IN the morning which was not persevered in.
There has been many q Southern prophecy
falsi6ed, and the 4th Of July, 1851, has seen
the opening Of the s7th Congress Of the United
States. At night I visited the camp Of the
Butterfeld, which Is situated on one Of the
squares on the outskirts Of the city. The huts
and tents were gaily Illuminated with lamps,
and q crowd Of we'll dressed people. never
tired Of the novelty Of actual military life,
strolled about among the lines, and enjoyed
the music Of the regimental band. There was
no drunkenness, but great deal of gsiety,
and finally dance, before yisiters were COM
PEELED TO withdraw. As an instance Of the good
conduct Of the regiment, let me say, that the
Colonel COVE all the men leave for the day up
TO 4 o'clock. At that hour every man had re-
turned out OF the 900, except two, who after
wards appeared much bemused with lager beer
And this is a large city, with many grog-shops,
aud spirits very cheap, AID dreadfully intoxi-
eating. The sick list shows 80 inyalids, mostly
suffering from disrrhes. On the surgeons
table lay returns furnished by Prof. Henry, Of
the Smithsonian, to be filed up with statistical
facts as TO the birthplace, age, height, weight,
and size Of chest, &C., Of the men. The sheet
looked at referred TO q section of twelve men.
VI these only two were citizens Of the United