The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-08-18
COMMUNICATIONS.

WASHINGTON, Aug. Is, 1865


WASHINGTON, Aug. Is, 1863
To the Editor Of the Press
During the last two weeks we have not had
q large allowance of military news. Public at
tention has been somewhat divided between
the conscription and the struggle progressing
at Charleston. Notwithstanding the late
bloody repulse there Is general confidence that
the rebel stronghold can be reduced by pa
tient and well directed siege. If the problem
of success or failure should resolve itself into
a question of reinforcement we ought, with
Meade threatening Richmond and the armies
of Rosecrans and Grant pressing the enemy
at all points in the South and West, still to be
able to resolve it in our favor. From the
Army OF the Potomac we have but little act
ual news. There is said to be some close and
sharp maneuvering between the confronting
armies, but general engagement is not antic-
ipated at present. Lee will not be likely to
attack and Gen. Meade will probably defer of
fensive operations till the present intense heat
is passed and his war-wasted regiments are
filled up in some measure oy the new levies.
From the army of the Cumberland we have
cheering intelligence. An agent of the Chris
tian Commission direct from Gen. Rosecran's
headquarters states that the wounded and the
sick are well cared for, the army generally in
excellent health and spirits and expecting to
move very soon into East Tennessee. He
states that he saw as many as five hundred
refugees and deserters from Bragg's army
come into our lines in one day. They repre-
sent Bragg, though holding strong position,
rs weak through the disafiection and deMor-
alization of his troops and unable to make any
very vigorous resistance to the advance of the
Union forces. Deserters from Johnstons
army come in occasionally and give a vivid
account of the deplorable and desperate con-
dition Of that force. All things seem hopeful
in the South and West.
am informed that the news of the peace
rebellion in New York and other places was
not well received by the army. 1t is not
strange that the heroes who had stood cool,
firm and undaunted amid the smoke and fire,
the thunder and carnage of Gettysburg lost
their equanimity and became furious at such
tidings.
If 4 few regiments OF these veterans had
been charged with the business Of suppressing
the riot, many of the swell mob of New York
would have escaped the draft once and for all,
and the city would have been quiet for long
time TO come. The amateur rebels Of the
North may as well settle one thing in their
minds before they 60 any further. II our VIC
tori0us legions are ever called northward to
suppress insurrectionary outbreaks they will
do 1t after a sort we have not yet seen. If
Copperheads ever undertake to put their
reasonable threats in practice they may find
the way of such transgressors a hard and
short one, with drum-h head court-martial aud
halter at the end of it.
The first regiment of colored District vol
unteers is full and another regiment is pretty
nearly filed up. To those soldiers Of this
class who are already in the field, and to the
new conscripts from the colored population of
the country the Presidents proclamation Or
dering their protection from butchery and
slavery upon falling into the enemy's hands,
must be most welcome. There seems no lon
ger any room for doubt that they have been
uniformly killed or ensaved when captured
Every principle of duty and honor, and every
sentiment Of humanity demand retaliation in
future for such atrocities, and however dread
ful may be the state of things resulting, the
rebels may feel that 1t has been caused solely
by their brutal ferocity, and they will stand
before the civilized world in all time as wholly
responsible.
Even our white soldiers do not seem to meet
with much indulgence when so unfortunate as
to be taken prisoners. | have just conversed
with one who was taken at Port Hudson few
days before its surrender. His boots were
taken from him and with Others he was
marched two hundred and forty miles in eight
days, under a cavalry escort. While in Rich
mond, to which place he was sent, he had,
with the exception of three DAYS which he
passed in the Libby prison, no shelter from
sun or rain. He was allowed as nearly as he
could judge, ten ounces Of bread and two of
meat He expressed the opinion that some
fast running or hard fighting or both must
take place before he shall again surrenderh him.
self as prisoner of war.
The murder Of some, perhaps many, officers
OF our army now 10 the hands of rebels seems
imminent. The two captains who were some
time ago set apart to be hanged in revenge
for two rebel spies executed by Gen. Burnside
have been ordered to be put to death on Fri
day Of this week. So at least we are informed.
1t would seem that the wretches who stand al
the head of the rebellion had determined ia
their reckless desperation to make the war SO
savage and inhuman as to give a pretext for
foreign interference.
since the commencement of the present
month the weather here has been intensely
hoL The city has been very dull saving the
excitement caused by the draft, very dusty
ana Iuh OF unsavory odors. The general want
OF cleanliness, both public and private, is aston
lsnlng. Inc city is miserably drained and
sink water and kitchen slops stagnate or trail
their slimy currents feebly beside the curb
stones. Offais OF almost every descrinfion are
thrown out to be mixed with the dirt of un-
paved streets, or to putreiy in heaps. Dead
rats, cats and hens add perhaps a little nm
gency TO the general stencil. The back Yards
reek with filth and swarm with vermin. All
the uncleanness of northern cities il notbinc
beside the stupendous nastiness of the federal
metropolis. The city papers are calling atten-
ton to the matter and not any too soon The
Chronicle of Monday has a sensible article on
the subject, and the Star very truthfully if not
elegantly characterizes the town as "Ue citu
of stinks." Unless something is done to abate
tle nuisance, the city will become utterly pes
tilential.
The draft took place in this city last week.
Inc scenes and incidents connected with 1t
were such doubtless a. are generally familiar.