Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-09-19
Letter from Washington.
[FRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENCE
WASHINGTON, September 10

WASHINGTON, september 10.
To The Editors Of The Ddilu Press.
'Here's your Baltimore evening papers,
with the wholesale arrest of the rebels only
three cents' How they did sell to be sure,
aud how it stiffened the backbone of those
who thought treason had been borne with
quite too long II the proceedings of the
extra Maryland session claimed Importance
enough to reach the West this will be easily
understood. The vilest treason was dehantly
proclaimed, and the Union men trembed
with abolitionism. Next week the sdOurned
session was to be opened-secession ordi-
nance prepared-and Maryland declared to
be out of the Union. Clever programme
this. New York Bay is a charming spot
who can object TO so considerate an arrange
ment, sadly as it may change their well ma
tured plans
jeff. Davis must see that his hour has
come-strike be must or his destiny is sealed
Maryland can only be saved-so they say in
Richmond-by an instant, determined move
at every hazard-at any sacrifice. Will it be
made2 II the telegraph does not anticipate
the arrival of this with the flash of the
greatest battle yet recorded on this cont.
Dent, then but one course is left the arch
tIaitor-a merely defensive line of policy,
holding out long enough for "the friends of
peace" to save his neck from the gallows.
Every thing that the South Gan raise is
now in Virginia. Authentic intelligence
reaches the Government of all this. The
naval expeditions fitting out at New York
and Boston render further delay dangerous.
No power can keep the troops of Alabama,
Georgia, and the Carolinas one hour longer
if home orders are received. Go they must,
end 90 they will. Secret as are their cou.
clayes at Richmond, divided counsels will
creep out The hand of the dial is upon the
hour. War to the knifer' cry The Hot.
spurs; and war to the knife it may be.
Be this as it may, there is no doubt of
great charge Of opinion in military circles
here within the last day or two. General
Mcclellan strongly believes the defeat of the
army opposite Washington will pretty much
close up the rebellion. Hence his untiriup
efforts to mass such a body of troops as
would secure success beyond a doubt. Too
much may be expected from raw troops but
on every occasion that has presented itself
they have done well. Then their confidence
in the General is entire they know him
and they trust him. How much there is in
this all history proves.
1t should be remembered, however, that
the rebels have well drilled troops, flushed
with Bull Run memories, and liberal pro-
| portion have had a good share of military
! experience. Miracles, as a general thing
have ceased. 1t is well to listen to those
occasionally, who are not disposed to fatter
| our rather lnopportune vanity.
Lord Palmerstop, during his late INSTALL
alton speech, referring to a previous speaker,
said:
Colonel McMurdo truly observed that re-
cent events in America should teach us a
valuable lesson. The example of what has
happened across the Atlantic shows that vou
may collect thousands of men together and but
uniforms on their backs and rnttskets in their
hands, bat you donot thereby convert them into
soldiers or into an army hear, hear1 there
must be discipline. 1t is not enough that
there should be individual bravery. Why,
our cousins in America, as indiUidgaL men are
as brave as any that tread the earth. They are
of the same stock as ourselves, they are des-
| cended from the same parents, are animated
by the same spirit and prepared 20 encoun-
ter equal dangers. But when thousands OF
men as personally courageous as any race in
existence get together, each man wanting
that confidence in his comrade which dis
cipline and training can alone apply, they er.
hbited TO the 1Dorld that unfortunate Tapiditt
of mOUtment schich took place at Bull Run
Laughter That, l say, is no disparagemen
TO The yalor of the Americans, but affords
repeat a lesson which we ourselves may use
fully ponder and remember, viz: that discip
line and organization are indispensable t
make any army efficient in the field"
After the above was written had occasion
( to visit tbs opposite side of the river. TIT
opportunity was offered TO visit the advance
made since my last visit, and could hardly
realize that so much had been effected in 81
short q time. An English officer of higl
distinction had made rather critical inspec
tion the day before, and he proaounces tn,
works impregnable. To the more casua
observer it would seem the hight of folly t,
attempt an entrance to Washington on tn
Virginia side. | can not believe it is though
of, knowing how many sources of iuforma
tiou the rebels have in this city. Near on
of the most formidable works, and inclosed
in fact, by the flanking parallels that connec
the whole together is country frame hous
occupied by the proprietor and his family
His pIoclivlties are strongly seCesh, but tn
poor fellow can go neither eastward no
{ southwaId-either to Washington or Rich
mond. Every day closed the lines aroun,
him more effectually, and made him "a pris
oner at large;" yet he is not disturbed, hi
fences unmolested, his family pursue thei
usual avocations. This is a contrast to South
ern magnanimty, the rebels, few night
since, burning fine dwelling, the flames G
which illuminated his own windows. Yet
let me say in conclusion every. thing is i
doubt. Last night there passed over th
Long Bridge some six hundred ambulancel
more troops, and still more battery trains
Tbs IS omlnous, but enough has been sal
, already.
/ AS the sun was setting yesterday evening
from the half burnt stump on which ha
, peIched myself, could see some ten thou
J sand troops at evening parade. Any com
/ manding hight disclosed camps innumerablt
} and it really appeared, move as you nigh
these black ministers of death were pointe
directly at you. HAMILTON.