Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-06-28
From the Atlas & Bee.
MAJOR wINTHROP's LAST ARTICLE.


July number of the atlantic Mmthy,
portions of an article contributed to that
magazine by the lamented Major Winth-
rop, late of the Seventh Regiment of New
York city. The following is an account
of the temporary quarters of the soldiers
at the Capitol:
"They gave us the Representatives
Chamber for quarters. Without running
the gauntlet of caucus, primary and cleo
ton, every one of us attained that sacred
shrine.
In we marched, tramp, tramp. Bayon-
cts took the place Of buncombe. The
frowzy creatures in ill-made dress-coats,
shimmering satin waistcoats, and hats of
the tile model, who lounge, spit, and vo-
ciferate there, and name themselves NJ. c.,
we're off. Our neat uniforms and bright
barrels showed to great advantage, COM
pared with the usual costumes of the usual
dramatis persone of the scene.
1t was dramatic business, our entrance
there. The new Chamber is gorgeous, but
ineffective. Its ceiling is fat and panell-
ed with transparencies. Each panel is
the coat-of-arms of State, painted on
glass. could not see that the impartial
sunbeams tempered by this skylight, had
burned away the insignia of the malcon-
tent States. Nor had any rampant Sc
cessionist thought to punch any of the
seven lost Pleads but from that iirma-
ment with long pole. Crimson and
gold are the prevailing hues of the dec
orations. There is no unity and breadth
Fof coloring. The desks of the members
radiate in double files from a white mar
BILE tribune in the centre of the semicircle.
In came the new actors on this scene.
Our presence here was Che inevitable Sc
quel of past events. We appeared with
bayonets and bullets because Of the bosh
uttered on this floor; because of the bills
with reasonable stump speeches in
their bellies-passed here; because of the
cowardicc of the poltroons, the imbecility
of the dodgers, and the arrogance of the
! bullies, who had here co-operated to blind
and corrupt the minds of the people.
Talk had made miserable mess of it.
The ultima ratio was now appealed to.
, Some of our companies were marched
up stairs into the galleries. The sofas
we're to be their beds. With their white
cross belts and bright breastplates they
made a very picturesque body of specta-
, tors for whatever happened in the hall,
and never failed to applaud in the right
or the wrong place at will.
Most of us were bestowed in the amphi-
, theatre. Each desk received its man.
He was to scribble on it by day, and
sleep under it by night. When the desks
we're all taken the companies overfowed
into the corners and into the lobbics. The
: staff took committee rooms. The colonel
reigned in the Speakers parlor.
Q Once in, firstly, we washed.
Such a wash merits special para.
| graph. | compliment the M. C's ouI
5 hosts upon the water privileges How
5 we welcomed this chief luxury after oul
march And thenceforth how we prized
, it! For the clean face is an institution
which requires perpetual renovation al
: Washington, constant vigilance is the
2 price of neatness. When the sky here
9 is not travelling earthward in rain, earth
4 is mounting skyward in dust. SO much
dirt must have an immoral effect.
After the wash we showed ourselves t.
G the eyes Of Washington, marching BY
0 companies each to different hotel, t.
dinner. This became one of the ceremo
MES of our barrack life We liked it
| The Washingtonians were amused and Ell
{ couraged by it. Three times day, will
!, marked punctuality, our lines formed anc
{ marched down the hill to scLffle will
|, awkward squads of walters, for fare NOR
!. or less tolerable. In these little marche
!. we encountered by and by the other rcgi
o nents, and, most soldierly Of all, tn
Rhode Island men, in blue flannel blouse
q and bersagltere hats. But of them here
afln. LIZ mnn a noot attranti uo nost q