Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1861-05-02
LETTERS FROM THE R1FLEs-No. 2.
NAVAL ACADEMY,

NAVAL ACADEMY,
Annapolis, Sunday, April %.
1t is now over week since the Third Bat
talon Rifles left Worcester, as it was sup
posed for Washington, in order to assist in the
protection of the federal capital against a pos
sib.e attack from the southt IN rebels. l shall
never use the words secession or secessi0Dlsis
because they are just as inappropriate as when
a thief calls his trade "burruwing." Since the
road TO Washington via Baltimore is partially
destroyed, Annapolis has become the most
important point for keeping open a highway
to Washington, and this is the cause why the
Naval School OF Annapolis is transformed into
military depot. Those rooms which were
devoted TO the science of navigation are now
occupied by noisy soldiers. Among the troups
which first landed was the famous Seventh
Rifles, and two three regiments from
Massachusetts, with the Boston Artillery.
Gen. Butler is commander OF the depot. The
Third Battalion Rifles were almost tile first
whom he stationed here, which is considered
by some a compliment 10 that body. How
long we shall remain here is uncertain, but it
seems as if we could not be removed to any
other place Tor some considerable time TO
come. OF The many troops which are daily
pouring III, have not seen tiEer and better
equipped body OF men-the Thirteenth and
Seventh Regiments OF New York, perhaps,
exccpted--tlan Company a, the Worcester
City Guards, OF the battalion.
Captain Sprague, OF Company a, is much
liked by his company, because he is not only
a competent leader, but also gentleman. The
same can be said Of our worthy commander,
Major Dcvens, who does not consider his POI
sition Il diploma OF vanity, with Il privilege OF
abusing suborduaes,as is often the case in mil
tary organizations. He enlertains the friend
talon, and do not know OF one who dislkeS
him. ~ good spirit prevails throughout the
whole body, and their condition OF health is
excellent. The climate at Annapolis Is very
healthy, because an almost continual breeze
from the waters OF Chesapeake Bay makes the
heat veiy lolerable.
Our men make admirable progress in drill
ing, which must be attributed 10 the fact that
we are nearly all volunteers, whose hearts are
full of patriotism, who are anxious to be as
useful 10 the country as ability and willing
ness can make them-who know no fear and
10 whom DO duty is great. But should be
further asked why this is SO, l would say that
there 10 still deeper cause--and that is, the
moral conviction that we have lent our arm in
defence OF principle which is based upon
truth. We wish To convince the world that a
democratic form OF government is the only true
one, and that those who intend to undermine
its foundations will find their graves in the
undertaking. We wish 10 encourage the OPP
pressed nations OF Europe to shake off their
chains, by showing them that the theory of
democratic form Of government is no illusion,
and that it possesses all tile elements Of public
and individual safety, and the means to re-
move all diseases which in course OF time may
endanger its vitality.
1t we should return home at present, you
would hardly recognize us again, because our
complexion approaches nearly that Of nj octoi
room, and noses are as red as copper, and our
faces experience no obstacle in the develop
ment OF a hairy countenance. Some youths
consider the climate here as favorable for ac-
celebrating tile growth of mans ornament, the
beard, and are overjoyous on that account
We cannot complain Ct being sighted in the
matter OF calls to military duty. For two
days we were police force detachment, to
guard the different gates which lead into the
city, and. the grounds Of the Naval School.
which cover an area II about one hundred and