The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1862-04-30


MAR foRKrowS, Va, April Is, 1861.
Editor Lansfng Repub!iean-Dear Sir: At
my last writing, We we're on board the transport |
OF Alexandria, bound, none knew whittier, vet !
all were anxious to move.
A description Of the incidents and scenery |
from thence to Fortress Monroe, would doubtless |
be Of interest, but neither your space nor my |
time will permit the indulgence. Our detach.
nent Of the expedition, consisting of eleven
transports with number of barges in TOW, CON- |
msnced moving about p. N. March 18th, our
brigade taking the lead.
As each vessel swung around into line, the |
bands Of the different regiments discoursed most |
soul stirring music, and the troops upon the dif-
fersnt vessels greeted each other with cheers OF
sxultation. These we're echoed and re-schoed
BY the many thousand troops still on shore, until
the Wslkin seemed to ring With their joyous
chants. ''Secesh" in Alexandra scarce knew
whether to express joy or sorrow at our depart
ure. They were happy to see us leave their vi.
ciuity, yet full Of sorrow when they reflected
that our departure boded ne good to some other
portion Of their loved Confederacy.
Fort Washington, nearly opposite Mt. Vernon,
a substantial, casenated forti6ca,ion, sauted rs
as We swept proudly around the sharp angle in
the river and passed under the shadow of Mt.
Vernon. The valleys Of Dough Run, Accotink.
and Occaquon were passed in rapid succession,
and many of US doubtless took last look At the
recent scenes Of many Of our most exciting
expeditions. Many Of Us, too, left warm friends
amongst the loyal inhabitants Of these valleys,
and As We strained our eyes to catch a glimpse
Of the well known landscape, we could not re.
press feeling of sorrow that We most probably
looked upon it for the last time
Soon after passing the Oecoquon, We came to
the rendezvous Of the Upper Potomac iotilla.
We were now taken under the escort OF several
gunboats, as we wore not yet certain that all the
rebel batteries we're vacated, or that no saucy
little gunboats still fingered in some of the creeks
that find their way from secessia into the Poto.
mac. Many of the batteries we're distinctly Wis,
ible, and how boats succeeded in running the
blockade. with even an average skill in guunery
by the rebels, cannot imagine, yet this was
done daily and without injury.
In the vicinity of the Aqua Greek batteries,
an extensive FIRE was discovered which was sup
posed to be the burning of the ensmys wharfs
and barracks. The gunboat Yankee run in and
gave them parting salute, which failed tc pro-
woke a reply.
| At dusk We came to anchor above Matthias
Point batteries, and turned in for the nihgt At
l2:3s A. NJ, 10th, We weighed anchor and
steamed rapidly past the Point without being
fred upon, ample evidence that the enemy had
decamped. The view from the deck Of tho
steamer was full of beauty. It was beautiful
moonlight night, the waters were a. placid a. an
inland lake, and the differently colorsd lights of
the vessels with the dark, bold outlines Of the
shore, presented a panorama not to be forgotten.
We remained on deck to see the sun rise. Fret
the distant hill tops on the opposite shore we're
gldsd, then the rays went dancing over the bo-
som of the Potomac, here several miles wide, tip
ping the ripples in the gaudy .colors of the rain.
bow. These scenes cannot be described; they
must be seen to be appreciated.
After passing into the Bay q rather severe
storm set in, which set adrift some Of our barges
loaded with troops and munitions Of war. The
storm also caused many Of the land Iubbsrs u
grow wendrous pale, then quiet, and finally to
cast up their accounts in q most energetic man.
ner. Some pistol and rife shooting WAS prac,
ticed on the many focks of ducks that lowered
near the vessels.
About P. NJ. We run under the guns of For.
tress Monroe. This place and surroundings has
been aptly described by your Washington cor
lsspondsnt. There were several hundred YES.
sells in the harbor, including an English and q
French war frigate. Many of Uncle Sans ships
Of war feated in the Roads, among which none
attracted so much attention az ''the Little Moni.
tor" appropriately termed BY the rebels "a
cheese box aiioat" Each successive wave breaks
over her deck, and at little distance all you can
sec Of her is the cylindrical shaped box which
contains her guns. As a .retreating wave turned
up her sides, the marks of q number ofthe Xer.
rimac's shots were distinctly visible.
The rain storm howled 6ercely through the
night, aud we were glad that We were permitted
to remain on board ship. In the morning, 2oth,
We disembarked and encamped near the site d
the once beautiful village Of Hampton. The
burning Of this village was one Of the msst
fendish acts of the rebellion. The village ha.
been three times burnt-once BY the Indians,
once by the English, and last ty the outlaws ol
the 20 called Southern Cenfederacy.
An ancient Episcopal Church, said to be the
oldest in the Union, was not spared BY these van
tiais. The savage nad TOO much reverence fss
the house, dedicated to the worship Of the great
spirit, to consign it to ashes-the English saw in
the sdi6ce, built under the auspices Of their vir
gin Queen, 4 connecting link between the mother
and her daughter, and protected it; but it re-
nained for the hatred of the Southrsn savage
maddened BY their worship of the ''peeula,
institution" to wipe out At one fell blow, thei,
own historic land marks. What was 70 bs gain
ed BY this wanton destruction of their own prop.
erty, l. as well As others, failto discover.
On the east side of Hampton creek, q few
houses, Including the summer residence Of Ez
President Tyler, the arch traitor, was saved By
the interposition Of our troops. 1t is now eccu.
pied by about hundred contrabands.
We remained in this camp until the morning
Of the 24th during which time it raned almost
necessarily. From this storm our small tent,
we're but little protection, and We suffered se
verely from the effects Of wet and cold. We
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