Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-19
Impressions from the Capital.
Correspondence Cleveland Leader. ]

Correspondence Cleveland Leader.
WAsHnGToE, D. c.. Dec Il. IsG2-
Itisno common solieitude that oppresses
the minds of the loyal portion of this COM
munity at this pregnant hour, holding, it
may be, within its grasp, the solution of
the mighty question, Shall the worlds
greatest republic liver As write, there
can be no doubt, from the positions of the
opposing armies at the close of hostilities
yesterday, that one Of the bloodiest con-
tests Of any time is being waged, upon the
result of which hangs more for veal or
woe to the nation, than any previous cam
paign or battle of the rebellion has COM
pretended.
The mighty Army of the Potomac unit
ed, a new leader at its head Of whom the
country has so soon learned to expect
much, new line Of operations, adopted
after the failure Of all efforts in other di-
rections, q rapid concentration of every
design, fer a determined, final blow, and
the hostile hosts now marshalled in bat
tie.
The stoutest heart cannot but throb with
anxious pulsations and eager longings, as
the tide of the contest ebbs and flows
And it is this all-absOrbing sOlicitude that
gives much of its weighty Importance to
the now progressing trial between loyalty
and treason. Though failure here might
not, and for my own part 1 think would
not, result in the defeat Of our cause, yet
the people have been induced to regard the
new compaign as the first step in better
order bf things, having for their object the
speedy overwhelming of treason in the
very eitadel Of its power, and the steady
PROCESS of the Army Of the Union toward
the elimination Of the great work it has
in hand.
This community, more familiar with de-
feat than victory, seems to have an eye on
ly to disaster, and the sanguine loyalist
finds but few to sympathise with him in
his hopes or encourage him in his deduc-
tiOns. The large secession intermixture,
always on the qta UiUe, and most indus
trious in putting out adverse TumOrs, keep
the tide Of intelligence rolling and tum-
bling like an angry cataract, often, howev-
er, Iregret to say, first publishing truthful
news which they should not possess, and
could not get but for some under-handed
work on the part Of those who are not re-
stristed within the civilians bounds
These fellows have to-day put in circula-
ton stories of severe reTerses to our arms,
and as nothing official has been received
from the front up to this hour, 10 o'clock
P. h., 60 far as the public know, the de-
spending Washington heart is at q very
low point. There has doubtless been a Sc
we're battle during the entire day, with
loss probably at least double that Of yes
terday, stated by Burnside in a dispatch
to the President dated o'clock this morn
ing at 5000. An eager crowd has besieg-
ed Willard's, the news headquarters, dn-
ring the entire day, indulging in all sorts
of surmises.
The Chronicle issued an extra this after
noon, containing dispatch from Acquia
Greek announcing that Banks expedition
had landed at Harrison's Landing, and
another that General Sigel's corps had
Joined Burnside. The former is not cred
tied generally, but the truth or falsity of
the statement will doubtless be developed
UN LuE hlllG lnA1 AEAAGE EGACuEo Iuus ludb
General Burnside had not in all respects
uDderestimated the work he was about to
undertake in giving battle to the enemy,
| is evidenced in the fact that on Thursday
last he telegraphed to Washington for 15,-
900 mattresses, together with other neces-
saries sufficient for the care of 10000
wounded. The Sanitary Commission is
already busy in its goodly work Of relief,
having to-day sent forward to Acquia
Greek a vessel load of hospital stores.
There is little Of interest here in polit-
/ ical way, unless we except the question of
admitting Western Virginia as State, of
the merits Of which your readers are kept
advised through the daily Congressional
reports.
The proceedings of the court martials
/ here upon the respective merits and de-
ruvrits of PUrter and Mcdowell, should be
carefully watched by the public, as much
of interest may yet be developed. If fair
play is to be meted out to all, it is not i'm
/ probable that the country will have to sup
/ port these courts for the next ten years at
/ least, for almost every letter from one Gen
eral to another, as well as private conver-
satioRs between Generals, introduced as
testimony, contain some deprecatory re-
Election upon some other General, who, of
course, thereupon demands an investiga-
tion. A nice lot Of patriots, these, going
about, like pack Of school-boys, " back
biting" and belittling each other. No
wonder we could have no cooperation
among our Generals, and hence an always
defeated army.
Efforts are being made by the ladies Of
. couple of the Secretaries and several
prominent gentlemen, seconded by Mrs.
Lincoln, to give the invalid soldiers here a
grand Christmas banquet. 1t will doubt
less be worthy the heads and hearts Of
these considerate and mueh-to-be-honored
ladies.