The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-08-30
Interesting from Fortress Monroe.
ARRIVAL OF GEN. WOOL.
FoRrRE:s MoNEoE. Virginia. |
August II.

FORTRESS MONROE. Virginia.
August II.
The arrival of Major General
John E. Wool. has created quite an
excitement all around Old Point
Comfort. The Louisiana mailboat
came in at an caller hour than usual
this morning. The presence OF Gen.
Wool was soon made known to us
by the firing OF the Major Generals
aalute-thirteen guns They we're
we'll served at the water battery OF
Fortress Monroe. There was no
firing from the ship.of war, though
it is presumed there will be when he
visits them officially.
Gen. Wool rode into the fort side
by side with Gen. Butler, in an open
carriage. After breakfast the two
commanders visited Newport News
Point camp together, where there
was more saluting. Gen. Phelps
did his part we'll on the occasion as
he always does everything pertain
ing to his duty as an accomplished
Soldier.
Gen. Wool looks vigorous and
active-by no means as old as some
OF the papers represent him to be. -
His reputation as drill officer and
strict disciplinarian has preceded
him, and produces decided effect.
1t ID expected that there will be q
large increa Of regular army of
ticers in short time. 1t ia to b.
hoped that they will be soon followed
by sufficient force OF troops, es-
pecially cavalry and artillery. 1t
has been my judgment, from the
commencement OF this most right
eous war to put down most un.
righteous treason, that, after the pro-
lection Of Washington was secured
Fortress Monroe should be made the
base OF operations. My convictions
gather strength with experience oi
each succeeding day. With a com
petent army and fleet of gunboats
here, strong in cavalry and artillery,
with riiled cannon Of long range, the
affairs Of Bethel and Bull run would
never have happened, and we should
to day have been in possession OF
Norfolk and Yorktown. The traitors
might thus have been deprived of
the largest part OF their guns and
other munitions Of war. and Rich
mond would be an invested, if not
a conqured city.
General Wool assumes the com
mand ofthis department under these
circumstances, but with bright
presaee around him. lie will bring
an influence from the Empire state
OF great power. May kind Heaven
send the brave Soldier u sate deliv-
erance from the party politiciansl-
Heaven knows that il he escapes he
needn't fear any other enemies.
WHAT WILL GEN. BUTLER D.!
This, just now, is a hard question
to answer. Ii is doubtful if the
General can answer it himself. -
There is some talk of his taking
command Of large brigade of NJ AS
sachuSetts troops, to be raised ex
pressly for hun, with IA view to his
making one OF his dashing attacks on
North AMI South Carolina. 1t will
DO remembered that the original title
OF his command is the Department
Of Virginia and North Carolina. "
Should Gen. Wool make the sea
coast OF the Old Dominion the prin
cipal seat OF his aggressive move
ments, General Butler may take
North Carolina under his wing, add
South Carolina to it. and then strike
Tor Charleston. 1t wonli be inter
esting to have him in that city, the
President of a Peace Convention.
somewhere about the "ides Of No.
vember." The New York election,
if remember Alright, comes of al
that time.
At all events, General Butler will
DO his duty. His activity is un
bounded, and his power OF endurance
equa! to his energy. In VIII ltever
position he may be placed, ifrightly
supported by all arms of the service
he will not be found idle. II he had
the men and means at his disposal
have not donbt that he would
celebrate a Union victory in New
Orleans on the next ensuing sth Of
January.
&C .NrRARAND' SINGING,
Ii is one of the most striking in
cidents of this war to listen to the
singing OF the groups of coorsd peo
pie in Fortress Monroe, who gather
at their resorts after nightiall. l. .s
evening, having OCCASION to "visit
an officer Of the garrison sick ia hi;
tent, passed around by the fortress
chapel and adjacent yard, wher,
, most OF the "contraband" tents ar,
, spread. There were hundreds o
men OF all ages scattered around. -
In one tent they were singing il
order, one man leading, "a extenpo
, raneous chorister, while some ten OF
twelve others Joined in the chorus
The hymn was long and plaintive
1 as usual, and the air was one OF tn.
, sweetest minors I ever listened to
r 1t would have touched many hear,
{ if sung in the audiences who appre.
J ciate The simple melody OF nature
{ fresh and warm from the heart. =
One verse ran thus:
A Shout alnnp chil,lreni