The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-10-16


regard this spot as sacred and consccrated
ground, and, as We sailed by, thought with
reverence OF that honored man born near
that slight eminence, and buried there,
whose life was one continual act Of devotion
to his country who rendered. so signal SER
vices in helping achieve the Independence Of
the United States; who served so faithfully
in every situation in which he was placed
And then I could only think of our present
condition-civil war raging in the midst OF
us, the ground near the birth and burial.
place of Washington trampled over and
shaken by horsemen and footmcn hostile to
each other, but belonging to the same coun-
try over which Washington ruled. o, that
the influence Of his spirit might be felt, that
his counsels might DO followed, and tho true
principles Of justice, humanity and right
prevail! t-
We got sight Of the Capitol two or three
times. but only saw it It enough to conclude
that the cpsnyings Of it are very correct
We disembarked at Alexandria, remained
here at the "Soldiers' Rest, or "Relief," one
night, and Wednesday morning, furnished
with our muskcts, took up our march Tor
the depot of Uncle Sans Military Railroad.
My fret impression of Alexandria was not
very favorable. The appearance Of that
part of the city near tho river. and the alb
jcct and poverty.stricken condition OF the
women selling pies, cakes Co., were not very
preposscssing, but l hardly wished to pass
judgment till had seen moro OF the city,
and tho citizens. This impression was not
removed when VIC marched through the city.
II is dirty, mean looking place inhabited
by "secesh, J" scmisecesh, negroes, and n few
Union people; the houses were poor, the
streets filthy. The Federal troops stationed
there maintained careful watch over oil,
and preserve order. The business done on
this Military Railroad caused mo 10 begin to
realize the magnitude OF this contest, and
the care necessary for q faithful supervision
of all the departments Of this government.
Every new feature, every step of our jour
ncy, opened my eyes, and gave me clearer
views than ever had before. And truly
believe, all good and true men are needed in
this contcst-mcn ready and willing to step
forth to protect and preserve our government.
The men of tho North are not alive; they
think too much OF making money, too little
Of the government, are too afraid OF making
sacrifices. Let them leave their business,
and shoulder their muskets, and wo shall
have n speedy termination Of tho war.
All along tho road-and wc had a good
view, for we rode on top of u train loaded
with pressed hay-.-wc saw indubitablc signs
Of war soldiers guarding the road, fortii
cations thrown up, desolato winter quarters
of the rebels, abandoned carth-works &c.
the whole country showed tho devastating
power of war. There wcrc no plantations
or farms having the appearance of fertility,
no waving grain, no signs of cultivation, -or
activity, r."Yankco" industry, except were
Uncle Sans boys were engaged. In all our
ride to Culpcppcr there were no school-houses
visible, no villages to DO seen, and but ono
church. There was one cheering evidence
that this government is determined to use
every means in its power to crush this rebel.
lion: that WAS the employment of negroes.
They were seen in great numbers working
along tho road, piling wood, shovcling dirt,
digging trenches, &c. These down.trodden
men are lending helping hand to preserve
the life of nation, which has been seeking
to crush every spark Of life out of them, and
bring them to the lowest depths Of degrade.
ton.
was seated near guard-a Dutchman-
who pointed out interesting localities to me.
Hero We cross Bull Run, n narrow muddy
stream, there we pass Manassas, on either
side of us carth.works thrown up by the
rebels, at distance is Bull Run battlefield
mot visible-thosca arc rebel winter quarters,
huts built Ia Sibley tents, or Esquimaux
huts, on an elevation at our right arc Gen.
Towards headquarters, over which float
tho "stars and stripes, l.hero are pickets
guarding the railroad, there q company Of
poor, way-worn, ragged cavalry. AS We
passed Gen. Towards headquarters, my
Dutch friend remarked that the General was
considered good temperance lecturer at
home, but hc would not allow them, /. c.,
those who would fight nit Siegcl, to have
their rations of whiskcy, and no expressed
his dislike by shake Of tho head. Whiskcy
has been and still is great curse in the
army. and fearful demoralizer in camp
Many brave young soldier has lost his lifc
under its influence, and We have lost many a
battle from the fact that officers have boon
rendered incompetent by it in time of action.
Drunkenness and rccklcssness do not consti-
tutc bravery. This is no place for intem-
temperance, and 1t is u lancntablc fact that
60 much prevails. Everything should DO
done to countcract its influence, every INDUCE
ment held out to cause mon in command to
have moro respect for themselves, their com.
inands, and tho States they represent.
Culpcppcr was the first villagcc we saw
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