Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-05-24

WAsnINoTOS, May %, 1861.
DEAR EcKRL;- .r .-r..
1t was II o'clock yesterday before
we arrived. Ike and having eat nothing but
gutta percha cookies for 24 hours were troubled
with a goneness. The major however looked Ms
fat and rnddy as when we started and at last
let us into the secret, which will prove Of great
value to future travellers through this barren aud
thirsty land, ''You sec" said the major, "Afer
had finished my supper got up, walked round
the table and proceeded to breakfast" Never
theless he made very brilliant charge on the
phalanx of goodies which mine host of the X rk-
wood now placed before him. In a short time
We had taken in carbon enough to drive
the human locomotive till dinner aud accordingly
get out to see the soldiers.
Our first effort was a search for It. Col
Moore of the New Jersey Sd, with whom We had
slight acquaintance. One man told US tho New
Jersey contingent was quartered out at the end
Of the Avenue, aud on arriving there We were
coolly informed il was at the other end. ALlast
we saw some Of the troops in question and after
much enquiry came across a brisk little fellow
who said VIC would find 1t. Col. Moore about u
mile up 18th street, where most Of the Jersey
men were encamped. After travelling three
fougths Of a mile aud concluding thar we were
almost at our journeys end a huge lazy looking
chap leaning over the fence informed US that the
encampmeut was full TWO miles further on.
"Observe," said the major in philanthropical
way, linen always measure distance by the time
employed and the ''uis iaersy' overcome in going
over it-a smart man goes tnst aud calls it short,
a lazy man goes slowly and heavily and calls 1t
loug." Then putting up his shirt collar aud
giving us quick look to sec how we we're i'm.
pressed by his speech, the major uttered joke
which, out of regard to you or rather your wife's
thread and patience, will not repeat suffice il
10 say it cost me two buttons and pain in the
side for 10 minutes
We found the N. j. eueampment or Meridian
Hill ESQ called because used to determine the
exact latitude and longitude Of Washington
Here is hne view of the city with its vast
Capitol and marble palaces girdled by the silver
baud Of the Potomac. Alas I that the opposite
shore should be an enemy's land where rebellion
rears it's horrid front and the Gag Of our country
is trailed 10 the dust.
The Col. received us most cordially and
showed us through the encampment There are
three regiments, each occupying small hill 80
that in rainy weather the camp Is completely
drained. The tents were not arranged in the
usual beautiful order bat the men looked fresh
and healthy. One party was exercising with u
couple Of field pieces, the rest lay about under
the trees, some sleeping, some reading, some
writing letters on their knnpsacks, aud otLers
playing cards. l was struck by the dgnihed
familiarity with which COL Moore moved among
his men. lie makes them love and respect him
and they would, undoubtedly, follow him to the
hottest Of the fray. While we were talking
together private Of the Massachusetts, 9th Joined
us, and if he be n fair specimen Of bis regiment
it is no wonder they have won golden opinions.
Having gone over the enoampment Col Moore
took us in bis carriage through several others
aud finally to Gen. Mansfed's headquarters,
where we babe him good bye and commenced a
stroll among the war aud navy Offices They are
modest unpretending bulldogs, which show the
most casual observer that military affairs have
held very inferior place in our national econO.
my. Both Of them together are scarcely one.
tenth as large or costly us the Patent office. Tn,
Treasury Department is gArrisoned by Two OF
three regiments, and the windows are adorned
by long lines Of blue shirts and drawers hang.
ing to dry. In the rear are the cooking appnra.
tus aud dining tables-the last of rough pine
boards, which are slightly greasy, as no tabl,
cloths are used, and send forth under the hoi
sun an Odor unlike the
"spiey breeze that blows soft DER ceyion' isien
In front aud stretching down one side of thi,
building are the immense stables for caviar,
horses-most Of which are fine looking ANIMAL
and oil are branded U. s. on the shoulder
Passing down the Avenue VIC saw scores oil
companies marching and CONFERENCE.-The
Many OF the stores and churches are used a,
military quarters, and adorned with the nyari-
ably clotheslines, while every where is heard th,
roll Of the drum, the tramp Of soldiers and thu
rattle Of arms.
While we were here a Connecticut regiment
came down one of the side streets and command
ed driver, whose omnibus blocked up the way,
to move on; he refused when IN order being
given to charge bayonets, four or Ave soldiers
left the ranks and pricked up the horses.
The 18th New York Zouaves was drilling on
the Avenue, they went through their evolution.
splendidly all moving like one man and seemiu 9
to be actuated by one impulse
O., stra. -.
Uncle Abe and all his Cabinet were standing on
the poriico, of course it struck us that something
was going to turu up, 90 we took an humble
7 position on the steps and waited coming events
file of Regulars came to guard the steps, their
officer kindly allowing us 10 remain where We
were, though no one else was admitted Soon a
I squadron Of Cavalry dashed down the street In
full gallop, followed at distance by carriages
containing tho foreign diplomats. At this mo-
ment Gen. Mansfield rode up horseback at
tended by an orderly; quickly dismounling be
advanced to the President, converssd a few mo-
ments then mounted as quickly and galloped off
Martial music was heard approaching and short.
ly column Of zoueves, preceded bya full band,
the drum Major and twenty drummers came up,
they were followed by Eve other regiments, and
} thus six thousand men marched by in all the
pOmp and circumstance Of war
1t was comioal to note the peculiar yankee
humor cleaning out through oil this strict or
der and deeorum. For instance, as they passed
the President, one drum major gestured most
Enthusiastically with his mace, another threw bis
far into the air and caught il as it descended still
marching on composedly, while sill another
twirled his energetcally about his head, between
his legs and over his back At last the troops
were gone and as Uncle Abe touched his hat to
the Major, fanoed that the latter seemed to
wink aud say "Abraham what did you think Of
that?" or course he didn't, but II he had it
wouldn't have seemed so very bad 10 our plain
republican notions. MIR. Lincoln looked care
worn but In good health, and as he passed, his
simple unpretending dignity impressed me:more
strongly, by contrast, with the vast power vested
in him, than could all the pomp and insignia Of
royalty. To morrow we visit the Capitol, SO
: look out for my next, BRUMLEY,