Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1861-05-23
Military Levee at the White House.
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WASHINGTON Cry. Nav O. 1851


WASHINGTON Cry, May 0, 1861.
Ten o'clock, p. NJ, and / have lust come
from the military levee at the White House.
The rooms were filed, but not uncomfort-
ably crowded, and the scene was nuite bril-
liant. At eight O'Clock the carriages began
to arrive at the Presidents mansion. and
continued to roll up the graveed path lead
ing to the main entrance until half-past nine.
| had a very busy afternoon visiting various
places about Washington, and at halfpast
eight was too far from my hotel to repair
tlhther and array myself in ''full dress for
the occasion and being very anxious to see
the man who has to study and settle the
most complicated question which has ever
engaged the attention of the ancient OF
modern world and quieting my solicitude
as to costume bya thought of the '.siin-
picity of republican institutions" | ven
tured, after clothing my fingers in snowy
kids. to drive to the White House in nv
visiting dress. The rooms were brilliantly
lighted, and the glittering uniforms of the
officers and jewels and feathers of the ladies.
sparkeled under the gas jets with peculiar
lustre. A military levee is a new tbinr at
the White House, and to me the scene was
solemn. 1t was late when | entered. The
President stood near.the east ROOM surround
ed by party Of gentlemen. He was nearly
a head taller than any other gentleman in
the room. He has a much finer face than
some Of the prints which represent him, and
though not really handsome, has manly.
honest, genial face which invites confidence
and respect. The expression Of his ewes 4,
peculiarly pleasing, clear, with a mild soft
ness,-in strange contrast with the stern
lines Of his lean features His manner has
the ease and affability of true gentleman,
without the least assumption of hauteur. |
looked at him long and steadily, and should
say that simplicity and honesty of purpose.
with certain reserved force, were the dis
tinguishing marks in his character. While
| spoke with him, | noticed the sound of
bis voice, which has none of the Western
roughness which his fellow countrymen and
brethren of the South give him credit for
Mrs. Lincoln stood near, talking with a
party of ladies and gentlemen. The beauty
of her arms and shoulders attracted my at
tention. They are very white and polished
as marble. She wore handsome brocaae,
Of Ma ie Louise blue, demi-train, and a
head-dress of white Marabout feathers, tip
ped with blue. Her ornaments were pearls.
She has a lady-like dignity of demeanor,
and, should say, is q woman of keen and
decided character. Her manner was very
friendly and cheerful to everybody, and she
was much interested while | told her of the
preparations going on to prepare comfort
able Hospital clothing for the soldiers, and
other things Of which they will stand in
need.
- While, the first flush of patriotism is now
most active in woman's hearts, there cannot
be too much of this work done. There will
be ample need for all. Only let there be no
riyaling among the ladies' no feeling but
one Of womanly sympathy with each other.
Several celebrities Of the army and navy
were at the levee, among whom were Com
modore Shubrick, Capt. Wilkes, of the
South Sea exploring expedition DR.. Peter
Parker, Surgeon and Clergyman, whose
management of the Hospital in China has
won him wide fame, and Capt. Powell, q
Virginian, and one of the real f. f. VS.,
whose friends are constantly entreating him
to resign and join the Southern Confedcr-
acy. The Captain is full of fire, as well as
patriotism, and says, may he BE damaged
if he don't fight under the Stars and Stripes
AS long as there is a rag Of it left. He is a
soldierly-looking gentleman. Captain Bur
ton sat on side sofa, beside his beautiful
Spanish wife, who speaks English with a
most becoming foreign accent, and who
laughed and chatted gaily with the officers
during the evening. Then there was Cap
tain Dahlgren, of gun celebrity, commander
of the Washington Navy Yard. Captain
Franklin and his wife. The lady is the
daughter of Matthew ST. Clair Clark. who
was for many years the Clerk of tho House
of Representatives, and one of the wittiest
of men. Capt Wise and lady were also at
the White House. Capt. Wise is the au-
thor of Los Gringos and is cousin of Ex-
Gov. Wise, of Virginia. He is suspected,
moreover of having been recently the ia
panese correspondent of the Times. Senator
Wilson, of Massachusetts,, with his calm eye
and genial look, stood near the end of the
Fast room, in earnest conversation with an
officer of the army. Senator Seward, that
gentle patriot-that lover of bis countrymen
who have rushed into rebellion--that lover
of peace-that foremost mind in this hour
of trial-seemed tonight to wear a look OF
care and sadness, which was not in his face
some months ago. He introduced me to
his son and daughter-in-law, who were pres
ent. Mrs. Seward is delicatc-looking lady,
with an amiable, sweet face. Dr. Blake,
the Commissioner of Public Buildings, and
gentleman of marked courtesy. introduced
many of the ncwly-arrived officers to the
President, who received them all with a
cheerful friendliness. of manner. which put
them quite at their ease. The company dis
persed little after 10 clock, to the sound
of yankee Doodle, played by the band.
There were many at the levee worthy o.
name besikes those have mentioned, bu
the lateness of my arrival prevented my
taking full portraits