Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-05-06
IL AND Asour THE cAprroL visited the

Iy AND ABOUT THE CAPITOL We visited the
quarters of Col Ellsworth's Zouave Regiment In
the Capitol, on Saturday, and found the b'hoys In
undsputed possession of the rotunda and the new
and old House Of Representatives In the rotunda
the scene was novel one. The mattresses are
arranged around the Wholesome rolled M ap.i
others spread out with the men of duty sttigx
living on them, smoking, reading, sleeping, or
playing cards. In the old House Of Repreienta.
tives, pieces Of carpet are spread down for beds,
while knapsacks and carpet-bags serve for pillows
new House Of Representatives the scene beggars
description. The members' seats were filled with
Louaves, taking things as comfortably az the
members themselves geRerally do-some with
their legs on the desks asleep; others reading;
Others writing TO friends at home; Others elbow
ing" with 'boss" In the Speakers chair, clerks
at the desk, reporters in the reporters gallery and
spectators In the spectators gallery all In uniform
We must do them the credit, however, Of saving
that there was less disorder and bad feeling than
that Hall
We saw one OF the Zouaves, a mere boy, swing
from the cornice In the interior Of the new dome,
on rope, and let himself down to the floor Of the
rotuDda-a distance Of nearly 100 f-et-with appa-
rent ease and in an incredible short space of time,
checking his speed as be reached the floor to
.'light" easy. It did not seem to be novel feat
to the others, as they noticed 1t more than any
ordinary occurrence. We saw one Of the b'hoys
with bare legs and feet, in the open space below
the building, on the west side, with hose pipe
In his hand and a full head Of Potomac water on,
washing the pavement, and he seemed to enjoy
the accustomed sport hugely, making the water
ny at great rate, and occasionally squirting" on
hi. comrades. These men are generally of Her.
culean proportions, with massive shoulders and
chests, and will be effective soldiess, no doubt
The arcades under the lagway on the west side
OF the building, are used for cooking. and the
smoke may be seen pouring out Of holes in the
grassy slope. When rations are to be served the
men pass In single file in the area along the series
Of arches, each with tin plate and tin cup. Atthe
lsf of Luz hob
handed to each man; at the next arch his allow
ance Of meat and at the next his coffee or soup, as
the case may be- Ii takes from two to three hours
to se-ve the whole, and here too the men show
less impotence than might be expected
The Sixth Massachusetts reg iment are still quar-
tered in the Senate wing of the Capitol, and are
perfectly at home.
hospital has been fitted up in the old Capitol
building, and the sick are carefully unused. and
receive every attention
The connecting corridors are still stocked with
nour, although great deal has been already
fEsTERDAY the military bodies here were
largely represented In all our churches. Several
OF the Dlstrlct volunteer companies attended
irvine service In full uniform, and at all places
OF public worship squads of military representing
largely al the different corps (volunteers Of the
District Of Columbia State troops, and regulars1
In this city, were in attendance
Az the regimental headquarters Of the stranger
military corps the several chaplains OBLIGATED
Hhu performed their duties with peculiar i'm
pressveness. The Twelfth New York Regiment
was drawn upin Louisiana avenue opposite their
temporary quarters, at O'Clock a. m, and after
inspection The troops were thrown into hollow
square and faced inwards. The chaplain took
has place In the center, and read chat ter from
Tue New Testament, which was followed by
prayer. The whole regiment then Joined in the
singing OF old Hundred,p accompanied with
beautiful effect by the regimental band
Rev Dr. Blair, OF New York, arrived In Wash
lngton last week OIL a visit 10 his son. who is in
the ranks OF the Seventh Regiment. Yesterday
AFTERNOON he delivered an Interesting and able.
discourse in the Ninth street Methodist Protestant
Chufch 1t was appropriate to the times, and
exported to reliance upon God, and encouraged
10 endurance OF hardness as good soldiers In the
cause OF God and our couutfy. He was accom-
panied to the church by Secretary Cameron, and
quite number Of the New York troops listened
win much satisfaction TO the discourse
Uenerally, good order reigned throughout the
city the entire day.
Inc New York Firemen Zouaves who have
oeen Tor some time ''spiling" for a run sswid der
masheen, " managed Yesterday afternoon by hook
OF oy crook to have fire bell rung In about
tue shaking OF lambs tail the New York b'hoys
effected an entrance into the Franklin engine
mouse, snaked out the engine and hose reel and
1erked them OH down downward at rate that
MADE the paving stones fairly shake After
awhile they returned steaming with perspiratiou
ana ruddy with exercise, and looking as If they
felt good all over. -