The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-03-04
How the News was Received in waahlss,on,

HOW the news was Received In Washingsons
When General Mcclellan received the dis
patch announcing the fall Of Fort Donslson,
he was sitting in his private room with. Gov
ernor Curtin, Of Pennsylvania, the latter con-
sslting relative to the disposition Of ten Penn
sylvaHia Tegiments siill Al Harrisburg. The
General apologized for reading the dispaich,.
which he did with q strong but suppressed
emotion. General Mcclellan then took the
dispatch to Secretary Stanton on foot through
the rain. There were some three hundred
spectators assembled at the War Department.
General Mcclellan, in breathless haste bare
y announced the fact, when Secretary Stan
ton threw up his hat aud proposed three
cheers, which were given amid the greatest
enthusiasm.
A distinguished member of the Cabinet
said this morning that before :he end Of March
the entire valley of the Mississippi including
New Orleans, would be restored to the Union.
Congratulations are being showered upon.
Mr.. James B. Eads, the st. Louis contractor,
for bis success in the construction Of the ex-
perimenal gunboats, which 80 sigpally full
filled the most sangune expectations Of the
Government. The great iron clad boat Ben
ton has not yet been put to the actual test,
but the names Of the following. built by Mr..
Ea1s, ara. now household words: Carondelet,
Mound Cty, st. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville,
Pittsburg, and Cairo.
The announcement Of the great victory at
Fort Donelson 10 Congress, by General No
Clelan, has caused tho II ost frantic excite
ment. In the Senate the audience which
crowded the galleries rose and gave one tre-
mendous cheer, which was followed by repcat-
ed ones, when the Vice President said such
demonstrations did not interfere with the bus
mess OF the Senate. Great laughter was
caused by the announcement Of the fact that
Floyd stole away. In the House the scene
was equally enthusiastic.
During the reading Of the brief but intense
ly exciting dispatch, just sufficiently long, and
fraught with tidipgs to stir the heart. Of all
patriotic men, thero was an evident effort to
restrain the feelings which at its conclusion
burst forth in ringing cheer and clapping Of
hands such rs were never heard in the hall
lof>-o. Fe- sLo &C.. .;~,e tLo p'Ufossfupat el-
iquette of tho reporters gallery was broken.
aud this, at all times orderly amid the disor-
derly portion Of the House, echoed with the
notes of Joy which in full volume rose from
floor and galleries.
In vain the puuctilious Speaker struck hIA
gavel 10 bring back the House to order
None could see improperly or infraction Of
rules in such an indulgence Of patriotic feel,
ings, and the rejoicing went on unconhned
upon the floor. Members sprapg frantically
from their seats, and rushed around Mr.. Col-
fax as common centre, he retreating to tho
open space outs lie the seats. Here congratu-
latons vent on apace as the dispatch went
from hand to hand. Amid the throng the
venerable member from Kentucky, Mr.. Crit
tenden, with his gray hairs, was most dist n.
G iishatlc, and for some minutes wherever he
moved he encountered the outstretched bands
of his con peers, who congratulated him up
on the glorious event which had cleared Old
Kentucky of the rebels, who had so long held
10 tbrsldom the Union people Of bis native
State; and heartily, and with bea,ning face,
did the cd patriot respond 10 the general feel
ing.
The Speaker had busy time Of it with
his carpiDg gavel, but for .ome time to no
purpose, as It was felt that there was no inde-
corum committed in such demonstration OF
joyous and loyal feeling over the victories Of
the Upion.