Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-06-28
IoOKINes-ON AT THE WAR,
BY N. P. WILLIS.
WASHINGTON, June, 1861.


With ride Of eighteen or twenty miles
before us, and the day hot enough toI
broil the brains in a mans skull, my
friend Captain Magruder had laid off his
tpht uniform for looser coat; and we
were, therefore, (spite of the dragon Or
derly EARNED and equipped behind u.s.
most peremptorily challenged by the SEN
tries. Leaving Washington at half-past
three, we succeeded in explaining our way
over the long bridge, and took the road to
Alexandria. My own elastically trotting
horse was in foam with the first mile,
and the work upon the Qualifications had
50 powdered the highway that the heat
was less bearable than usual; so we di-
verged at Roachs Mill, and took the Ion
ger and back road, for the better chance
of shade.
Here and there, upon this winding
green lane, we came to thrifty farm,
lust deserted, and, at one of these drew
rein for a moment. The " stable" inhab-
itants (the COWS and pigs were all that
remained of the accustomed household,
and the stiffness about the house with all
its doors open was drearily unnatural
but there was still bucket in the old
well, and our man drew for the thirsty
two of us. With all the stories IF "poi-
soninc," which had been circulating in
print and gossip for the last few days, 1t
was a little startling to see the water come
up of turbid and greenish hue. My
need was TOO excessive for hesitation,
however, and drank-still living to tell
the tale-though my friend, with his mil
itary caution, preferred to wait for safer
waters.
We entered Alexandria by what seemed
to be the best built portion of the town
and here, among the comfortable residen-
ces now deserted, stood the old brick
church where George Washington was a
holder. Two or three boys, playing upon
the green were the only inhabitants we
could discover; but shillingto a bright
eyed little fellow soon brought us the SEX
ton with his key, and we went in and
found the oonsecrated pew. Washington
was vestryman of this parish, the
"Fairfax,") as he was also Of the " Po-
hick," three miles nearer Mount Vernon ;
and he worshipped alternately at EACH 1t
was thrilling to sit in the seat of the
great patriot, looking upon the same pull
pit and chancel where his eyes had de-
voutly rested, and to remember how the
fine fabric for which he lived and prayed
was already crumbling! What would he
say to Alexandria, could he be recalled to
bis seat in their midst
The town was like village Sunday, as
we rode through the streets; the shops all
shut, and the houses with blinds and
doors closed, apparently uninhabited. We
saw no men residents; but, at one corner
there were half dozen young ladies who
had met in their walks, and who formed
in phalanx as we came along, to give us
the secession stare. Such a setting up Of
the under jaw and bringing down of the
pretty eyebrows was a new phase Of fe
male beauty, for me, at least-my friend
who had served in the Mexican war and
in Texas being better posted. probably
as to the sex's harpy-bility when reused
I had never before seen such angry look:
with petticoats to them
Riding down to the river, we took {
look at the " "slave-pen," and at the Pc
cahontas lying in the stream, in differ
ent ways both very stirring sights Re
turning by another street, we then passef
f" the Marshall House." the scene of tn
recent tragedy. 1t is a communicating
tavern and bar-room, and was so full o
its accustomed company, idlers and drink
ers, that VIC contcnted ourselves with
glance thus cursory, though | was toll
that the house was already undergoing
the penance Of celebrity--Aoors, curtains
and furniture, going off piecemeal in tn
pockets of relic-hunters.
Scrambling our way over the almos
;;nna CO., ble M vements of Alexandria-p