The Portland daily press., 1862-09-20
Letter from Washington.

The following letter from c. G. Hayes, Esq,
dated Washington, Sept. Is, 1862 has beenr
ceived by Geo. r. Davis, Esq, of this city, by
whom we are permitted to copy:
FRIEND DAVIS To-day the city has been
flushed with excitement from the glorious
news received from General McClellanl Bull
letins have been posted up in the hotels an
nouncing the routing of the rebels from Mary
land soil. The engagement has been general.
Hooker, Reno, Burnsides and Franklin's corps
have been at work. Gen. Reno is killed. He
was very good officer. Franklin has been
hotly engaged for some time, and has succeeded
In driving the enemy, whose loss is immense,
but how much l am unable to learn. / have
been somewhat indisposed for some days past,
but did not wish to leave until something new
took place. have endeavored TO learn some
thing IRON the Maine troops, but as yet am un-
able TO learn anything from them only that they
were In the engagement-that is the 9Th, 9th
and 7th. and probably the 10th. / leave inthe
morning for the field of action, which is about
forty miles distant from here. Conveyance
has been offered me in the regmental wagon
of the 7th, which has been here few days to
be repaired. i consider it my duty to push
forward and render such assistance to our
troops as lays within my power. i presume
you will receive the condition of the regiments
ere this reaches you.
1t is very pleasing to observe the different
countenances. The Union men are easily dis
tinguished by greeting smiles that meet you
on every side. Mutual congratulations are
everywhere exchanged amoung the Union
loving men. All seem to be clothed with
cheerfulness Just now the third dispatch
from General Mcclellan has announced that
the rebels were retreating in panic. This
causes unalloyed satisfaction. The long and
dark days that have been upon us give place
to more cheerful hours. Sad as is the thought
of so many brave men going down to death on
the battle field, it is nevertheless a cause for
thanks that the right will prevail. l can but
hope that the dark days are past, and that
bright sunshine and hope will continually light
up the pathway of loyalty, until the Union
will be acknowledged by ALL
j have visited the Hospitals in Washington
and Georgetown, and find much complaint
from the patients on account of their diet
which is very poor, and not adapted TO the
taste of the sick. In most of the hospitals
there seems to be seeming neglect in rela-
tion to food, and so far as my observation ex-
tends, it arises from Indifference of the sur
geons in charge. Armory Square Hospital is
an exception. 1t is the best arranged, the
neatest and the best conducted hospital in the
city. 1t is cheering to sec how the counter
ances of the sick light up when they find one
has called 10 see how they are doing, DC.
have not the names of the Maine soldiers
Parties who are visiting them have promised
to furnish me with them, which, if obtain,
will send you. 1t has not been so much my
object to obtain the names of the patients, but
to observe the general condition OF the hospi-
tails, and also the men. i will favor you with
list of the hospitals in Washington, George
town and Alexandria: