The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-09-26
roaleaee q I'll. pae. Commercial A Advertiser
4 Mnif from w Warrington.


WASHINGTON, July 2j;h, 1861.
Ny DEAR toNNEEcIAL:- ~ greater contrast can
hardly be imagined than that experienced by your
humble Bay State correspondent in his abrup, trausi-
ton from the quie; rural scenes Of Wes:boro' to those
Of this great Babel 70: excitement. There, an indus
trious people we're pursuin. their peaceful avoca-
tioUs, and though all were interested in the war, aud
men discussed it, progress AMI aspects ~ they sharp
enei their scythes, or leaned Oh their hoes, OF rested
under the trees az their d, incoming" and though
many a heart was heavy. and the uubjiien tear
started 90 many an eye n they thought Of their bo.s
who had listed" aud were exposed to is dangers,
yet the village wAs so FAR away from tie scene Of
strife ,hai it hardly seemed "a reality. The occasional
stir created in the ceate. O: the town. ~ = regiment
was rapidly whirleI through Oh the railroad, and
the Xc.tementca caused by the departure o! Cur noble
company Of rifles, the captain Of which was the
Methodist minister Of the little Society here, who,
from motives Of pure patriotism, has taken up the
sword, but without Ay;u. down the Bible, have
shown Us more OF the pomP aud circumstance, than
of the horrors CT this fearful strife. Here, We are in
the very focus Of excitement. The broad avenues Of
this metropolis are constantly g.iJteriEg with bAyo-
nets ana resembling to the heavy tread OF armed
men, the strains Of martial music, and the ruin
bling OF artillery and army wagons, and within the
last few sad days, with aubulauces filed with the
wounded and dying victims OF the bloody struggles
of Thursday and Sunday, At Bull Run. Last Mon
day was the most gloomy day ever seen in Washing
ton. The intense anxiety Of the day previous, a. the
heavy cannonaiing, which was distinctly heard, told
OF the bloody battle which was taking place, had
given way to a feeling OF satisfaction and relief as the
report came from the field, that - the three batteries o.
Bull Run were taken. 8" and that our troops were still
advancing. The Seccssonists in Washington, Of
whom there are large numbers, were blue and dis
piritei; he Uniouists were jublaut. But before
midnight came the avant cOuriers OF the flying troops
with the startling tidings Of the utter rout Of our
forces, and from that time till late on Monday, the
stream of fugitives from the bloody field came pour
ing in. each with his tale of horror. Such IL scene of
confusion and excitement, l never before witnessed.
Pennsylvania avenue was crowded with people; be-
grimued and blood stained soldiers, exhausted, lying
on the sidewalk or telling their exaggerated stories OF
terror to a crowd of eager listeners; citizens trying
TO learn the truth, which was buried amidst the mass
of rumors and talsehood. Here and there, the glis-
tening eye and triumphant expression revealed the
sympathizer with the rebels, though none were rash
enough to avow their sentiments i'll the midst OF such
an exasperatel mob. As the day wore on, and peo-
pie learned that the panic and rout had been con-
fined to but one portion Of our army, and that our
men had brayely fought, until, exhausted, they were
o~verpowerel 10y fresh troops, the panic began TO sub
side, and men took fresh courage. There was no ne
cessity tor the panic and rout of cur troops. The
men We're tired and hungry, and in no condition to
cope with the fresh troops Of Johnston, who REIN
forced the wavering column ofthe rebels ut this critical
juncture, and turned the tide of victory. But the
panic, like that which seized a division of the French
army 1T SOlierino, was almost accidental in its origin,
and might easily have been checked nt the outset.
Our inexperienced officers, however, had not foreseon
the possibility of such an occurrence, and the stream
swelled and rushed on till it burst all barriers and
carried along everything in its course. The rebels
had suffered too severely themselves TO be inclined to
follow up their advantage, and thus lost the finest
opportunity that will probably be offered them during
this war to achieve a decided victory, and strike a
heavy blow at the Unionists. General Mcclellan,
who has been ordered 10y Scott to take command of
the army of the Potomac, taking a soldiers view of
this disaster, says, 1T was = bloody fight, but u
splendid reconnaissance for me" and there Is no doubt
that its lessons have been well learned, and will be
made available in the next advance Of our troops.
One of the most fearful sights l ever saw, was an
attempt on Tuesday, to murder some prisoners taken
at the late battle. They were being marched to the
Guard House, 10y u file of regulars, when the excited
Of maddeued and drunken soldiers, principally
he Fire Zouayes, which had been surrounding them,
that they should be given up to their ten
Ter mercies. Their yclls for vengeance on these
helpless prisoners were fearful. and seemed like the
lowlings Of a pack of wolves for their prey. The
finding they could not protect them, but were
likely 10 be overpowercl, thrust the prisoners into Il
narrow passage. and with charged ~bayonets withs,ood
he crowd Of infuriated demons, until a squadron of
:lvalry, which had been sent for, swept down the
treet, and with drawn sabrcs scattered the mob. and
.---l u -. - f.. .Ix.- ...-1. 90. =.
Washington is one vast camp, qni its environs are
White with tents; droves of horses and mules, and
rains of army wagons are constantly passing through
he streets. The extra session OF Congress IS beng
ieIl, and its proceedings are unusually interesting.
he hotels are all crowded, and | regret TO say that
many Of the officers are more likely 10 be found ut
o; them, than in the camps Of their commands.
better discipline Is about 20 be introduced by the
.ew commander, and though volunteers are not ex-
ecrei to be under as strict rules rs regular soldiers,
ct the efficiency of the army requires the adoption of
stringent regulations than nave hitherto pre-
allied.
| visited the Marshall House at Alexandria, where
ol. Ellsworth and his assassin were killed. The
on which Ellsworth stood, and the floor where
e fell, are entirely torn away by relic seekers.
alexandria IS under martial law, and Is almost de a
erted by its inhabitants. Grass grows in its streets, :
nj the whole place wears an aspect Of dcSolatIon
nj ruin. Hardly a person or vehicle is seen IN its
reefs, and is quiet Is well suited To the hospitals for
hich many Of the buildings are now used. | visit
/ the famous slave pens OF . Price and Birch, Slave
callers whose sign in immense letters, covers the
OF the large building which was devoted TO the
aiiic III human flesh. As walked through the de-
.rted enclosures Of this revolving establishment, | q
not bu; feel a strong hope that its walls might '
again incarcerate a slave, and that the issue 0: .
Is bloody struggle might prove to be the overthrow 4
an institution, that has shown itself to be the very
ot bed of treason, as 1t has been the great blot on
IT national escutcheon. MAIKELA.
NOTES. OH THE UEEE