Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-02-20

Correspondsnes Of the Daily Journal.
From the Army Of the Potomac.
CAxP NEAR FALMOUTH, Feb. 10th, 1868.
The day on which last wrote you, some
two weeks ago, was dark, dreary, stormy
This army sheltered itself in tents and rude
barracks as best it could, and in gloomy, sui
len silence listened to the wind moaning
through the pines. 1t was q miserable day,
and the army was in melancholy sympathy
with the weather. To-day, it is bright and
glorious sun shines warm, and makes
the very forests cheerful. You can almost
scent the coming flowers, and breathe the
prophetic aroma of roses. The Army of the
Potomac is as different, to-day, from that
Army which described two weeks ago, as
these cloudless heavens, and the joyful earth
are different from the snow-dropping clouds
and dreary encampments of fortnight since.
Two weeks have been enough for our new
General, and the army is completely Hooker
BY the irresistible power
of military genius, from heavy, unweildy,
unenthusiastic mass, to q joyful, spirited,
great band of warriors, painting for the fray,
and eager to move upon the enemy's works
at the sound of the bugle. Did you ever
know lively young man whose life had been
made miserable by the thought Of having
committed some grave crime, and who after
wards discovered that he had been blameless
The Earl Of Glenallan, in SCOTS Atiquary,
is such character austere, oppressed by
thoughts of crime too terrible to divulge, his
very presence cast gloom upon the gayest
society, and made even the jokes of Monk
barns fall still-born upon the company. Re-
lieved Of the dark mystery which had made
his life like life within the grave, he was
transformed at once into gentleman of &C.
complishments, and of martial bearing
When the bright sun drives away the storms
which have been raging about the human
soul for years, the metamorphosis is q living
splendor-a Vatican stealing the silver plate
of his benefactor turned into the apotheosis
Of magnanimity in the savior of Champ
mathieu. Such change has been made in
the Army of the Potomac, in the brief space
since last wrote and if now write some
what enthusiastically, you must understand
that no man sees almost miracles with the
same dull stare with which he contemplates
an oyster bed.
1 need not tell You how this great change
has been brought about. The details would
be neither interesting nor valuable except to
military men. Suffice it, that where there is
a will there is way, and that Hooker can
improve the condition and the quality of an
army, with or without mud But while CIV
ing to his energy, determined purpose, and
unquestioned genius the praise which they
deserve, it would be unjust not to give very
great commentator to Gen. Butterfield, and
other members of the Chief Commanders
staff. Butter6eld is to Marcy (McC's father.
in-law and chief of staff what whale is to
a tadpole, or Drummond light to light
ming Five more such days as this, and
the roads will be good enough for this Army.
It will take desperate weather to keep it in
the old "quiet" which reigned during so
many weary months. So much in general
Perhaps what would strike the civilian
most forcibly, who had been here month ago
and should again visit the army, would be the
jolly cheerfulness Of the men. Whereas they
were then morose, or at best in a state of
perfect don't-caredness, they are now full Of
life and sport. Then, they were finding fault
with the holes in their breeches. Now you
may hear them declare, with an emphasis
traceable to tour army in Flanders" that
they "would rather go into fight bare back
ed than be kept in the mud much longer
Besides, they will say, they have got used to
mud, and grown web-footed, and will soon be
able to move better in wet weather than dry
So jokes are cracked through the grand army,
in all the camps. -:.
And then the funny side to the Fredericks-
burg fight is just beginning to exhibit ITSELF
within the past few days. We found of
course great many things lying around Fred
ericksburg, without owners. Most of them
were ofno earthly value except as memen-
toes, but not few things worth considerable
money were captured by our troops while in
possession of the city. I do not know it to
be fact, but suspect that some rebel jew
eler's establishment was attended to. At all
events, private, the other day, was explain
ing to his Captain how he happened to have
silver fork and butter knife Well you see,
Cap'n.," said he, when we took Fredericks-
burg, was detailed to guard Mrs. So and Sos
house. The women they was mighty bad
scared, but I told 'em, SEE I, don't be alarmed
ladies, we amt goin' to hurt defenceless wo-
men and children, SO they keep their mouths
shet, and let US alone wagin' this war for the
restoration of the Union and destruction of
the rebels. Jest walk into the cellar, ladies',
and I'll take care of these shootin' irons.-
Then the purtiest girl among 'em looked at me
lovin' like, and says she to me, says she, we
are very much Obliged and so forth, Cap'n.,
and then she gave me this here silver fork
and this here butter knife for keepsake like.
She was remarkable nice woman for q slab
sided Virginny girl" The Captain took moth
ing by his motion. Then Horace Greeley Che
is contraband, as shsrp as steel-trap) tells