Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1862-02-05
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
From the Wis. Second Regiment.

y trip To Washington now AID then IS
well worth the trouble. But few days
since your correspondent spent few
hours liz the city, now so we'll northern
;zed Well do / remember how dali and
drcary WASHINGTON was on the morning
of the Goth of June last, when we en-
tered and quartered on 18th street, Penn
sylvania Avenue Its citizens were Lc-
tween hope and fear, scarcely knowing
what the morrow might bring forth The
gait ering Of troops was slim indeed, but
few were stationed along the Potomac
The several departments Of our govern
ment were filed with traitors. and the
hotels were bcsct with spies, ready to be-
tray the best interests Of their country
in fact, the city was overrun with these
brainless beings, so much so that martial
law became necessary. Scarce fortif-
cation was finished when we came here
though at several points they were in pro-
gress Of erection For while it seemed
rs if disunionsm had its sway; but at
last a change came 0 er our dreams, q
battle was imminent-it was fought, and
the result proved our gain, though a con-
plete victory was not ours, yet in retreat
ing, we were confident that neither side
could claim the battle, but to seccsh the
spoils were givcn-a la mode Here the
good city Of Washington was in danger,
and not many hours was allowed her to
of stringent rules was necessary. and no
sooner did they seem so. than they were
carried into effect. From the 23d day of
July to the pres Mt time Washington has
progressed. The fear that she entertained
suddenly disappeared, and to-day she en-
joys the fair reputation Of being pretty
we'll northernized The Avenue is con
sidered an equal to Broadway. She has
been long ruled by Southern aristocracy,
and bore so much the gait Of the slow
coach, that when Northern enterprise
came TO relieve her. her popuace were nut
to q stand-still, bewidercd at the energy
and perseverance Of the " Yankees" The
army has its great depot there. the gov
ernment officials hold forth, and the city
Of Washington today is but fair exam
pie Of the Northern ingenuity Yoa can
not wonder then at the fair progress of
tie city within the last few months
Washington has been filled with traitors.
men and women, and even now the halls
Of the Old capital ring with the merri- |
ment Of the ladies' confined within its |
walls, while her prisons are file with the |
scrag Of the populace What a change |
has come Ger the Southern aristocratic
city within six months.
The Congress fails to draw the attraction |
that was thought. 1t is only when a great !
speech is expected, that it attracts any
thing fuyther than the ordinary run The |
public appear to be but little concerned, /
considering that the discussions in Con
grcss are confined principally to minute
questions, not at all serving the necessity /
of the times. The Smithsonian Institute \
proves rare treat for an evening enter
tainment as few hours look at the curi-
ositics the Institution will pay the Wis
itor. The several public buildings, from
the Executive Mansion down, attract the
attention Of the floating mass to a great
degree. The hotels the WIZARDS and
National, in particular, seem to be quite
and the great rush upon the
WILLARD is only from the fact that it is
the general rendezvous Of several Senators
and Representatives The army officers
flock there in squads, and here and there
YOU viii perceive groups of two and four
in quiet conversation, undoubtedly dis
,ussinS the slow process of promotion.
The stringent rules in relation to selling
liquor to soldiers is partially obcycd, and
i is no uncommon thing to see either
5ficer or enlisted man, somewhat under
he influence of spirits > in fact, sol
licr that minds his ps AID Is can get all
nc wishes, notwithstanding the heavy
penalty incurred Various are the plans
promulgated, in order to get q bottle Of
Rye" over the river. The bootleg, the
nat, or within the lining Of the coat or
pants, proves no assurance of success
1t is often that the Guard search, and very
often are their labors crowned with sue
cess, and thus rid the soldier of his " bit
'ers' \ day in Washington is a life
history to any man.
Since the 18th inst we have done no
drilling. 1t rains about every other dav,
md there seems to be no abatement in
he condition of the weather Mud, mud,
1h, gracious an awful sight to look out
and sec the condition Of things Our
little log cabin proves n1arimus naininus,
and but Tor it, we would suffer the present
aud stand fair show of coming
out IN lorna P0up c1'us. The Regiment
is actually becoming lazy, for the inclcm-
ency of the weather bids but few steps
and them, only when necessity requires.
and Nature can no longer give way.
We ale noted in this Regiment for i'm
provement, and not only in drill and fight
ing, but in music, we claim a preference
Our Regimental Band, which left the