Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-10-12
Editorial Correspondence of the Spy.
FROM GEN. BANKS COMMAND.

say Darnstown in the date, but am at
the headquarters of Gen. Banks, about a mile
and hall from the central glory of that ia
nous emporium, or whatever else ii should be
termed. While we were passing through the
town last night / observed il closely, and
counted three dwelling houses, one store, two
log barns, ard some other edfces of lesser
preiensons. We encountered there a squad
of the Massachusetts thirteenth, with whom
had very cordial time, as soon as they learn
ed that | came from Worcester, Mass, and
probably knew Col Leonard. Their good
feeling toward Col. Leonard, and their praise
of his excellent qualities, seemed to be un.
bounded. learned that they have only six
companitS at their camp, which is near Darns.
town, three companies beng at Harper's Ferry
or in that neighborhood, and one ON special
service ewhere not far from this place.
On the road from Washington and about six
miles this side Of the city, we drove through
another of those famous towns that nobody
ever heard OF until the recent military move
ments gave it to fame in the Geographic dis
patches. l mean Tennallytown, which has
four houses, not very near each other. Rock
vile, sixteen miles from Washington, is re.
spectacle village OF twelve or fifteen houses.
Il is described as "a regular secession hole"
A secession newspaper was publishe here,
until circumstances put an end to its exist
ence. A Union newspaper is printed there
now, l ann told, which, among other things,
tells the people of this part of Maryland how
much money they are making out OF their
trade With the Union camps along the river,
and suggests that times would at once become
very bad for them, if the rebel troops could
cross the river, and take possession of Mary
land. | think it would do the secessionists in
this quarter great deal OF good, although it
would make them much poorer, to have few
weeks experience of johnson and his troops.
Our troops are scrupuously careful in their
dealings with the people, paying literally, and
paying in something very different from Vir-
ginia shin plasters We dined at a Rockville
tavern, at a long table, above which hung a
series of curiously connected fans, worked by
machinery, the power" being little six year
old contraband, who made the things ego" by
pulling cord up and down. No persuasion
could induce him 20 speak, but he worked
steadily while we were at the table, seeming
almost 10 be part of the machinery itself. l
noticed that tie old landlady gave him piece
of pie when his work was done
Geu. Banks headquarters are about twenty
four miles IRON Washington, and some nine
miles from Poolesville, where are the Massa-
chusetts fifteenth and the headquarters of Gen:
Stone l might guess how many troops Gen
Banks has around him, but if | knew exactly,
and could tell you the number TO a man, l
should not deem ii proper TO communicate
such knowledge 10 the types OF a daily news
,.t,s.s. el11Ta say The rebels across the river
would give good deal to know, but they will
get no assistance from me, directly or indirect.
ly. / shall tell you only that Gen. Banks
body guards and a portion OF Van Aliens
cavalry are encamped near his tent, and that
the Connecticut Fifth, Col. Ferry, and the
Massachusetts Second, Col. Gordon, are Just
at hand--so near each other as 10 seem almost
like one camp. These regiments have fine
bands OF music, one of them being very large
and admirable. The generals body. guard
and Van Aliens cavalry are also very mu-
steal.
1t was dark when we reached Gen. Banks
quarters. We found him at his tents, where
the time was passed very agreeably until hall
past nine o'clock. For an hour or more,
durinu Tho finn a nIo from, hn1v uua ri
sang patriotic and other songs, and they sang
magniicenly. This guard consists OF com
pany Of cavalry and company Of infantry
carefully picked in Philadelphia. A large
proportion Of them are Frenchmen, Germans,
and Italians, and from these chiefly the choir
was formed. They sang the Marseillaise as
never heard it sung before; and they sang
other admirable pieces, among them the Italian
National Hymn, the Zou zous, and the Star
Spanged Banner. Such a concert would
create sensation and hold an audience any
where.
During the evening Gen Banks received
various dispatches, and quietly read them
where he sat, IN front of his tent. Several OF
them, as | afterwards learned, came from the
river and told him that the rebels had just
then appeared in unusual force on the river at
Edwards Ferry, opposite Poolesvile. There
is some expectation in Washington that the
rascais will attempt TO cross somewhere in
that neighbOrliood, but our officers at the
camps do not believe they will venture on such
movement We passed the night at the
house OF a Mr. Rice, near the tents OF the
cavalry, but some Of US did not sleep, and l,
knowing the contents of that dispatch, lay
awake, with some expectation OF hearing an
outbreak OF cannon at the Ferry, followed,
perhaps, by the long roll at the camps. But
there was no alarm and no disturbing 'noises
OF the night" Save the barking Of dogs and
the occasional screaming of geese. DIR.
Heard, assistant surgeon of the Massachusetts
Thirteenth is quite sick at the house where
we stopped, and his father and mother are
there in attendance upon him.
We leave this morning for Poolsville, where
greetings from the officers and men OF the
Massachusetts Fifteenth (God bless them y are
in store for u.s. You may be sure that shall
have something 10 write from that place.
}. D..
FROM GEN STONES DIVISION AND THE
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT.
PooLEsviLLE, MD, Oct. Z, 1861.