Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-10-02
Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, September 26, 1861.
To the Editors offhe Dqily Press.


can be of little use here. Fort Corcoran,
which is admirably constructed, commands
an immense sweep of country. Small fprti.
hcations are connected with it by parallels,
and the whole country cleared for great
distance. Perhaps cleared would convey O
wrong impression. The trees are cut down,
to be sure, falling in every direction. They
are then well charred, and so interlocked,
any attempt at penetrating them would be
literally impossible, swept as they are by
guns of the heaviest caliber.
The Michigan regiment posted near the
fort has alone cleared in this novel way over
one thousand acres. What heroic feats are
contemplated by the rebels know not, but |
an opportunityis here offered for the chivalry |
to show their pluck. 1t will never be at |
tempted, mark that The woods are still re.
ceding rapidly. 1t was singular spectacle |
toward nightfall to mark the long array of |
sxmen returning from the "clearings." For
miles the road was thronged with men, axes
on shoulder cleaning in the setting sun, and
presenting O new aspect in military parades.
The events of the week past are mainly
clustered around Prince De Jonville and
suite. Reviews of eight and ten thousand
troops were Of daily occurrence. Governor
Dennison was present on several occasions.
Nothing is more striking at these reviews
than the enthusiasm of the troops for the
young General; their confidence in his abil
ity is perfect, and what an element is this
with so great an army
Troops continue to arrive quite freely.
The arrivals for the past two weeks have av-
eraged about three thousand per day. From
the lantern of the Capitol, perhaps | should
write the top of the derrick, more troops are
visible than was ever counted from one spot
on this continent. What magnificent pam
Drama is presented, including both sides of
the Potomac. A good glass will bring the
nlr1 ~,
miles in an-air line from Washington, so
plain before you that a gentleman lost his
hat by the sudden start he made backward.
AS | was looking yesterday morning, an
officer of high rank, judging BY the excess
of ornamentation, rode up in front, dis
mounted, took out his glass; and gave long
and sweeping survey of the city surround
ings. Was it Beauregard, and if so, was he
satisfed2 He turned slowly back, rested
his arm over the saddle, and then carefully
took final sweep with his glass, handing it
to the aid that he might confirm, no doubt
some remark or discovery be had made.
"Their parallels seem to be completed-the
line is impregnable," would have been
sensible conclusion.
SEPTEMBER 29.-Yesterday was generally
! observed here in compliance with the Presi-
dents Proclamation-offic closed, churches
| open. The discourse OF the Rev. W. n.
| Charming, on "Religious Patriotism" was
worthy of the great name the gentleman
ever recalls to our recollection. 1t did not
mince this delicate question of slaVery-the
| inherited curse of our fathers-ever evaded
but always present-often the subject of
compromise, still oftener of political corrup-
tion. Shall we ever meet this question fairly
and squarely2 1t would really seem as if
the peculiar Institution, in the peculiar state
of Kentucky, Maryland and Missouri, re-
quired some peculiar slight-of hand work
that daylight could not scan. Can there be
any ques ion that the abolition of slavery in
these three States would be intrinsically
worth untold millions to each, even if no
provision was made for the value Of the
slaves2
A friend who has spent few days in
George, Calvert and Charles Counties, the
infected district-asit it is called-of Maryland,
informs me that leading planter assured
him that great as the loss would be to him
of his negroes, yet he would rather remain
in the Union without them than to be ex
cluded with them. There are many more of
the same stripe. AS the North has never
asked such a sacrifice, if the army of the
Union can only dispose of the leading trail
tors of Carolina, Georgia and Virginia, the
reunion would be much more easily effected
than is generally supposed, and the gradual
abolition of slavery in some practicable and
Just form be accomplished.
Army reforms are still progressive, but
there is much to be done. Drunken cavalry,
debauched officers, and vagrant quarter
masters are quite too numerous. Army
supply stores" with nothing but adulterated
liquors and poor cigars, are visible in every
square. Opposite TO them may be daily seen
army ambulapces taking out the vile stuff to
the camps, smuggled in some way. The
saloons are in full blast, and rihed whisky
not whit the less in demand. Why should
not every one he closed by armed guards
Congress passed law inhicting fine Of
$25 for selling liquor to the soldiers; a few
cases are reported, but the ninety-and-nint
90 unpunished. New recruits have been SC
numerous they are quartered about for day
or two, Just long enough for these bells Il
rob them of their last penny, and the effects
of insubordination are apparent for week.
afterWerd.
Perhaps there is more corruption in the
horse and mule purchases than any other
| Every inspector was turned out this week
A gentleman informed me only yesterday
that he asked one of these Western contrac
tors whom he had formerly known, how h
got along. Pretty well, was the answer
only it cost me s5 per head to get these re
iected horses taken I'M they were gooC
, enough any how; the way they use them
Z This may be considered rather cool reply
J but habit breeds contempt. Some gentlemen
1 | IN OOluI1Du5 as holl aS yOul CLtJ WIN Do aOI
to retire at the end of the war on their LaureIS
a such as they are.
> News items are really rarity here. Gen
eral McClelan's orders positively prohibiting
| this system of pick ket-murder, has cut off th
! largest supply from the Virginia side. Th
! rebels at last seem disposed to follow tn
example, and the interesting corps of report
|. ers will soon md their occupation gone.
The Richmond papers have boasted largel
of the challenges daily thrown out by thei
a troops TO entice the Union leaders into som
q of their we'll covered traps. AS proof thf
this was the case, General Smith crossed th
n Chain Bridge with five thousand troops, we
. supported by artillery, few days since, H.
!. object was to bring in the corn and hay dali
= used by the rebels, and while the wagoI
: were quietly loading, the General moved Q
> three regiments quite up to their position
At last it appeared as if they were dispose
t to take up the glove-quite respectful
d force was seen approaching, and their ba
teries opened fire.
/. The tone or volume of our replies did n
= seem acceptable, for a rapid retreat W
y made, and the wagons were duly filled. 90
y onel Keyes our quOndam Judge, repr
I" sented McClellan's staff, and enjoyed the tr
I amazingly. The steady bearing Of the who
is command is worthy of all commendatio
A. How favorable have been the effects of mes
(, ing the troops so far from the city, as to pr
j clude in q great measure the scenes witness
y iu our more immediate vicinity
g All rumors of attack on the city have 10
y currency. There is no more uneasiness, pc
D. haps not so much, judging by the appOir
W ment of Brigadier to look after your q