Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-09-27
CORRESPONDENCE.
Correspondence of the AMEHIcAN.l
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


DEAR AMERICAN This place has long borne the
name Of the City Of Magnificent Distances; with
what reason any one who looks at it well under.
stand. \ friend who had occasion to search for
sick man who was not in any Of the numerous ho-pi
talS Ia this hot sun called il the City of Dsagrra-
BILE Distances While | can safely say it is city
of Dirty Distances. When it does rain here the
Hood gates of heaven are opened and the thing il
well done Side walks, streets and crossings are
covered with from two 10 FIX Mchc, varying accord
ing to the locality Of fluid mud. When il don't rain
for n few days. the whole atmosphere i, filled with
dust 1t Is not confined TO the streets. II rcuc-
tratcs everywhere. Your parior, chamber and din
ms room are filled with il Your nose eye. ears
and mouth are filed with it. Your food and drink
are scasoEcd with il. The trees are dirty gray
The grass in the squares and tranglcs had yielded
up It's Nerdurc. 1Uur whitcst shirt Is dun color
Hair, boards. face and hands uniquely powdered
or cakcd. There Is no such thing clcEl.nc-s unless
You take vapor-bah and get yourself hcrmctically
sealed up in glass case of appropriate dimensions
We will get clear of this dust. The New street
railway Is au institution introduced here by Yankee
enterprise, and hu, become military necessity" "
The cars are passing up and down the Avenue fHjs
means Pcunsy yINhnlu,) every five minutes. We will
wedge into one and ride to the gateway OF the Cari.
tul grounds Ihis Is the present eastern terminus but
the extension to the Navy ard is rapidly prorcsing
1t is saturday afternoon. and crowds OF men, women
and children are passing through the gate The
green grass or pNrtCnc and terrace. is refreshing,
Flowers are smiling II sweet welcome. The old trees
under whose shade our great and wise men. who
nave now la>stV away, 70 often walked and fingered
invites to shelter and rcpoSc while the water. from
the fountains gush in rridcsccnt lets into the sunlight
and TALL in murmurng music into the marble basins
where the goldfish play in yellow schools. Far
above from the forest OF green leaves towers the mus
slvc white dome OF tine Capitol. Tn and down the
grounds wander ladies in gay dresses. children in
fancy dresses, gentlemen in plain dresses and on the
grass youder lie half dozen Zouur,g II ItTgU, in
their red pants blue juckets and white turbans OF
course there is Il sufficient seasoning in the crowd
oi brass buttons ana shoulder straps in spite Of cny
raj orders No. -. On n raised platform are the
Marine Band, gay in scarlet coats. white rauts and
blue caps with red polnPuns Their music Is delight
tul. ltcomgs too softly through the fragrant shrub
berry, and then bursts into wild martini notes as yuu
come nearer Every one steps ont with military
tread and keeps time to the music of the Union Tho
scene would be fairy ilt were not 50 grave Tho
national airs Hail Columbia - The Slnr.SnangIrj
Banner and Yankee Doodle" close the ncrtorn
ancG Of the band but still the people lugcr in the
shade until night comes slowly on. and even then
some wander there under the soft MOONLIGHT 10th tn
leave 50 lovely spot for The noisy street and hot at
mospherc af the city
During the Intervals of the session of Congress this
place IS usually dull and quiet Now all is hustle
with considerable confusion. Not from moruing rim
night but day and night the streets are full of rco.
pie and animals inhuman. Trains Of army wagon,
are On ihe 90 al the time. Aunbulanccs arc always
in motion. The rumble Of artillery, the clntter f
cavalry, the heavy tread Of infantry are uucc.sinr
Along tue crowded streets ordcrlics are dg,hiup in
every direction Look sharp as YOU cross the street
HltNl MH1tIhS an opportunity 10 dodge between tho
tall-bodTd ol wagon aud u mules head of the fol
lowing one, else you will be knocked down hy some
iust-riding, reckless dragoon or run over by ,urc
less ca3man' Crossing Street here now require. as
much SKIN rs plotting Urait down the SusaucLnppe
The pilot has advantage of knowing the rork. sbnol
and cddcs but the poor pedestrian cannot tell what
IS going to rush upon him the next half.os second =
lie mules have acquire liking for brick puvcmcnts
end almost invariably chose the sidewalk in their
frequent run away amuscmcnts.
lhe city Il as throngcd now as at n President in
auguratuu, Hotels are all crowded to excess Doarl
ing and lodging houses turn away numbers of apuIi
cants every day. The Theatres aud places Of all
kinds ui amusement are rcaping rich haryests GAM
bling hclls appear 10 flourish. The late order Of
Gen. NudsWurth prohibiting the sale OF spirituous
liquors, compcls officers and soldiers 10 get unplca
sanity intoxicated on soda-watcr ale, lager and root
beer, and yisbly do these innocent beverages show
their effects III the guard house and police reports
and in the appearance Of individuals on the street
The penalty for retail Of the ardent is couiscaliou of
the whole stock in trade of the detected offender
which makes the patrol OF the Provost Guard very
Yigilant 1t Is rcnaI kuble that when the whiskcy
of common grogshop Is seized, the stuff is poured
into the gutter, but when the liquor i'm a superior
establishment is confscated it is taken charge of for
the use OF the sick in hospitals. % When a soldier
"under the influence thereof is taken to the guard
house, and becomes ObstrcporOus he is treated to
shower bath. The punishment Is easily applied and
is certain corrective Besides it has the advantage
that no ignominy attaches TO its application and the
recipient always feels the better afterwards.
OF course many persons Hre attracted here by Gu.
riosity but by far the greater number to visit
their friends in camp and hospitals. Mothers looking
for their sons sisters for brothers. wives for husbands
Nearly all come ignorant Of the rules of the Hospital
Department, and it is sometimes days before thoy
find out where TO go. Some touching scenes occur;
many distressing ones. A few days ago a fine look.
ing old lady applied for the discharge of her son.
She has husband, three sons and two sons-in-law in
the army. The youngest fair haired beardless boy
of l6 years Ind been ill., and venturing into the field
20 afterwards, fell insensble although unwound-
I'd return to consciousness brought back no rea,
con. lie has been insane ever since He had rseos.