Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1861-09-07
From the Fifth Regiment.
CAMP kALARAMA, near Washington,
Aug. 23rd, 1861.

FRIEND JACK i opine that another
line from the "fghting 18th" would not
be unacceptable to your readers, espe-
cially as we are SO near our national
capital, the defence Of which (the n. Y.
Day Book to the contrary notwith.
standing) is Of the most vital impor-
lance. A good many of your readers,
presume, have never seen the ssunny
South" in this region; SO I shall at
tempt slight description of things
generally, you Of course cannot expect
a very accurate one, as we are kept too
close for that. In the first place, the
South lat least here) is not near so sun
ny as 1t might be, having rained very
nearly every day since we came here,
and the nights being 80 cool that one
blanket is insufficient 10 keep as warm,
unless we keep in our clothes. We had
about two weeks of intensely hot wealth
er, and we thought that that was a sam
pie of the South; but think that Ma
ryland is not much hotter than is Wis
consin. The air is not so pure perhaps
Our Camp is situated near Columbia
College, on Meridian Hill, and we are
about p miles from the Capitol. The
Observatory is one Of the first objects
that greets our eye when we go on "du-
ty" every morning The Potomac is
not seen very plainly from our side Of
the hill; but by going on the opposite
side, next to Washington, we not only
see the Potomac, but we can see the
shipping in the harbor, (if such is the
proper name.) The yet unfinished Cap
ltol and the town itself, Long Bridge
and the Lunatic Asylum, Arlington
Heights and Alexandria, can also be
seen. The Heights of Georgetown, in
which are included our own encamp-
ments, overlook the country for a LONG
distance, and as far as the eye can
reach, even with the aid of telescope.
the hills are covered with the tents of
the Federal troops. The city Of Wash
lngton, from here, looks as though it
were IN a hollow, surrounded by high
hills, and indeed it is. From the dome
Of the Capitol is one of the loveliest
sights you can imagine, on clear dav.
more especially with telescope.
The country around waehiAste,, e
very rolling, and is generally timbered;
the soil is gravelly, clayey loam--what
should call poor land, but they raise
good corn on it, if the present crop is
proper criterion. The houses, or "a
ther mansions (as they are pretty large
generally are usually built of brick, are
for the most part old fashioned, and
very plain once in while, one sees
neat and fanciful dwelling that reminds
me of the far West
Brother Ed. and myself were down
to " ashington a day or two ago, and
came back by way Of GEORGETOWN
We were much pleased at some of the
beautiful dwellings, regular old country
style, enclosed by high fence, and at
the entrance neat building called the
Porter's Lodge; SO that persons wishing
to be admitted, have to obtain the por-
ter's leave. Upon one gate to a very
beautiful park, garden, &c, we noticed
card upon the gate-post, s'No admit
lance on Sundays" The most attrac-
tive features Of most of these re5iden
ces are the beautiful groves which sur
round them, the greenhouses and foun-
talns. We also visited the sWhite
House" expecting to see Honest Abe,
but he was off reviewing troops. The
east room and the green room are all
that strangers are allowed to visit. Ed.
thought that a person could sleep very
we'll on the nice spring cushioned sofas
and chairs, or even on the carpet, after
lying on our hard beds. The White
House is being painted and repaired
for the first time in seven years. The
house, grounds, Sc, are the most beau
titul excepting the CapitoD in the city:
and that and its perquisites are well
worth little log-rolling to obtain.
The Heights of Arlington are per-
feet mass of Notifications, and if the
rebels take them, it will be done over
heaps Of dead patriots, as they have
: got most Of the forts garrisoned by
Bull Run veterans; and [ notice that
.I.-...1, III, L.. !.