The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-07

our first step was to 60 10 the Provost
/ Marsha's Office, and secure passes. This
we found no easy matter, for the crowd
in waiting was very great, and it was
necessary to take position in line and
await your turn. Armed with proper
credentials from Col. VAYpEvER, howev
er, we found but little difficulty in pro
curing the necessary documents after
we confronted Gen PORTER, the Provost
Marshal, and subscribed the oath of al
egiance. Securing hack and negro
driver, Tor whom we were compelled to
pay the modest sum of SO, we started at
about 12 O'Clock, for Virginia. The
Long Bridge being in process of repair.
we were compelled TO go to Georgetown
and cross at the Ferry there. This we
found TO be simply couple Of old scows,
pulled across by means of ropes stretch
ed across the river. When we arrived
we found carriages and teams sufficient
in waiting TO keep the ferry busy for two
hours to come, and government teams,
which had the preference, constantly ar
living. We had heard that it was re
view day, and the appearance of Gen.
McCLELLAN's dy-guard, crossing be.
low us on the Acqueduct, confirmed the
report. We began to get anxious, and
offered the Guard dollar for a little pref.
erence. Guard got his Irish dignity up.
and threatened US with confinement i'm
the guard house. Apologized by sta
ting that we had found it the custom of
the locality, and supposed the thing was
necessary After this concluded to re-
lax efforts, and await the course of events.
Our driver finally cheated somebody
else out of his turn, and we went over.
Passing rapidly onward, on the road to
Halls Hill, where the review was held,
we passed Fl. Corcoran, a strong earth.
work, with wide ditch around it, be-
tween which and the embankments,
great trees were laid, with the branches
jutting outward, making an unscalable
breastwork. On the way we passed
camp after camp,reguarly laid out, streets
graded, and camps fancifully wreathed
with evergreen. From the tops of the
tents smoke was issuing, the guards
were clothed in warm great coats, and
the appearance of things was decidedly
comfortable. On every eminence we
could see the white tents of the encamp-
ments, and occasionally dark, frowning
cannon, mounted upon earthworks. We
reached Halls Hill about O'Clock, and
found Gen. Fritz john PoRrER's division
drawn up in four lines, awaiting the APP
pearance of the General in Chief. In
front, in three lines, were the three bri
gades Of l3 regiments of infantry, in the
rear regiments Of cavalry, and on the
right batteries Of artilery-in all
about 5 or | 6 thousand men Soon the
blast Of a bugle from the headquarters
of Gen. PORTER announced Gen. Me-
| CLELLAN's approach, and he came gal
Looping down the lines followed immedi-
ately by Secretary CAMERON and Gen
/ Dnprp, habinJ p,lo,,, ,o,Io . -. .
staff. Gems. Mcdowell and BLENKER
we're on the ground, in close proximity
to US, in conversation with the lady and
daughters Of the Secretary of War, and
we had good opportunity to note the
fine military bearing of both Generals
Nc CLELLAN was OF course the observed
! of all observers, and his fine horsemap-
ship and gallant bearing seemed much 10
crafty the spectators. He is Of short,
full, firm figure, wears heavy nous
tache, but was otherwise cleanly shaven
He had more youthful appearance than
many of the officers accompanying him,
among whom were a number of Gener.
ais. After riding along the four lines at
a sharp canter, he rode 10 the centre, and
the several regiments moved quickly
past him in review. First, all march
ed, company front, in common time, each
regimental band coming first, wheeling
to the left in front Of the General, plav-
ing during the passage of their regiment
and then falling in behind, the band of
the next regiment taking their place
The Infantry looked well. They were
well clothed, wore gloves, and had their
arms highly polished The Cavalry d id
not make SO good an appearance, the
horses being small, thin, and rough in
coat The artillery, however, of which
there were some 10 pieces, seemed well
handled.
Passing once in common time, they
again all went by on the double quick
and il seemed TO us impossible TO con-
ceiye Of a finer sight than the field pre-
I 4 i