Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-29

eccentricitiss of expression called rumoes ut must be
pleasant 10 get away sometimes from Cabinet Ministers
ADD statesmen though truth 10 tell the General is not
much conce ned about keeping them waiting, for s yet
be feels his legs very strong under him.
BE Is standing on the support Of all the United
Satss but step nav make him know biz feet are Of
clay-thst soft and yielding stuff which Is only to be
hardened in the FIRE Of victorious battle His quarters
are Ia pleasant house at the corner OF fquare-not
unlike that Of Gordon and Euston BY day the doors
asd windows open sentry In blue tunic, blue cap,
blue trousers all without what called ficings brass
buttons with disiraced eagle ihereupon, and waist
belt with brass buckle inscribed I" o. 3, walks up
and down, generally with pipe or cigar In bis mouth
and bis 6relock carried horizontally his shoulder
to bring the bayonet on level with any eye Of
which the ulwary may be coming round the cor
Several dragon horses hitched up by the rail
and the trees along the pavement, standing patiently
and good naturedy American horses won't 10 do,
or at most stamping and Ticking OF the fcs which In
the United States try patience and good temper hard
ly. At the door ready orderes, two quick, intel
gent young men, who civil without being servle and
who in being So afford some contrast to the various
very independent soldiers lounging sitting on the
steps reading newspapers, and waiting answers TO their
messages.
There is a sort Of "open sesame" about the place
which does not prevent the secrets inside being well
kept In the parors seated officers and visitors,
smoking talking. The tables covered with lit
Of papers journals and torn envelopes and the
csukng tongue OF the telegraph instrument resounas
through the building The General is generally up stairs
and sundry gentle Cerber bar the entrance to his pres
ence he destitute Of the art Of making himself In
visible when he pleases His staff excellent men,
am told, far as my experience goes nor could any
commander be served efficiently than the General
is by Brigadier General Vanvliet Colonel Bunson,
Notwithstanding the absence Of good deal Of stiffness
which marks the approach to some headquarters, ~
General Mcclellan found when he and bis brother Com.
missioners sought in vain to obtain to Marshal
Pelssier. in the Crimea.
The Genera, short time ago employee on the
Central Illinois Railway but still with 60 much of the
old spirit 10 him that he studied closely all the
ments Of that short Italian campaign, Of which be Is now
doomed to give counterpart in this part Of the world
is noctrns, and at the close Of long aborous days,
works hard and fast late into the night till sleep
pursues and overtakes him. when be surrenders readily
Tor he has of those natures which need fair share
Of rest capable though they be Of great exeron with
out occasion. he works hard, too, in the saddle;
and when the business Of the morning has been des
patched, of he goes, attended by few officers and
small escort Of orderes and troops the Potomac,
visiting the camps examining positions, eating where
fortune spreads the board and returning generally after
nightfa to look the reports 10 issue ORDERS to
fife little politicians, and 10 stand the defensive
against those Of larger dimensions.
Here he is natural but vigilant-candid but prudent
tobacco rumnant or fumant ful Of life and vet con
of It's color from that Of the accidents Of lis
rounding In time ard place. Extraordinary acts are
cribed to him of which he knows nothing. He Is tie
Haroun Alraschid" of the Journalists. At time,
alfred Uvandisre he is testing the quality Of lager
beer; again, simple volunteer, be Is visiting the
Commissariat stores and making practical experiments
bread and meat. Anon, he Is encountered a vi
dette, starts out Of wood With embrownet face
contrsband and before the week Is over he has done
everything eIcpt the thing he has really been engaged
In. Oh, Young Napoleon" what dreadful hundred
days In store for you 0ne can fancy now the sold
Ter signing for the ang iss in the paa,Isl building
devoted the abors OF Central Illinois officials at Chi
cago.
October 22-The Council held at General McClellans
quarters last night attended BY the President the
members Of the Cabinet and the majority Of the d'i-
sonal generals who within reach of the capital -
II the afternoon .tha Commanderin Chief OF the Amy
of the Potomac" visited the Navy Yard ard had lorg
interview with Captain Dahlgren in reference to the
which must be adopted to clear the river The
United States arsenals destitute Of the material
which would now be invaluable From all sides
cries to the Navy Department for heavy guns and SER
vice mortars. The Department has not go. them, but
all hands working away TO supply, and In Mr.. Fox
the assistant Secretary, the government has an officer OF
ability good sense, vgor and resolution, who do
saythng but improvise heavy artillery SO 1t that the
want of sea service morars offers at this time an imped
imsnt to the establishment of batteries on the Maryland
aide of the river to shell the Confederaes out Of thes
works, which could be done easily
The range long, for 10 inch and Is inch morta
eiug from 1000 1000 yards and yet the Confede
rates have only used guns Of small cabre rfed indeed
not adapted 70 do much damage by their shot and shell,
Il shipping. Bot the batteries to he made and the
expedition which sailed from Annapolis yesterday will
probably fad diversion In store for il about AccotDk
and Pohck which TO be seen, trust, on the maps
a few miles below Alexandria and Fort Vernon creeks
OF the Potomac II will have been observed that the
If Eadarai ia