The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-06-24
Army Correspondence.
CAMP, 2D WISCONSIN Vols,
Lime nth 1864

in an hours notice. Tents were stuck and
all due preparations made--the boys happy
that they were again to try the experiment
Of dislodgng an entrenched foe,-for it
was reported and believed that Hooker in
tended to attack the rebs at Frederick sburg
The artillery was in motion at daybreak,
and the pontoon trains on the way to the
river,-betokened that another crossing
of the Rappahannock was about to take
place. had packed my haversack, rolled
my blanket and buckled on my implements
of war determined to take things easy
and await revelations ere spoke Of this
intended move.
While wondering, for what we were
bound to the river, AMI e,deasoring tn
make my self believe that it could only be
feint, a paper was placed in my hands. |
was permitted to visit Baltimore for five
days, to rejoin the regiment wherever it
might be For some reason felt happy,
aud throwing aside the load had prepared
for the march, bid an a.!ieu to the boys, took
the arm of Capt Gibson, and together We
sailed to Falmouth Station-happy, that
"Richard was himself again. At the
station We learnt the order Of march had
! been cnuntermandcd, with the exception of
the 9th corps which would cross the river
that evening, Taking possession ola nasty
locking freight car, and spreading our hand
kerShiefs upon the floor, that we might not
soil our broadclo,h, squattcd, - bound to
Acqnia Creek. Passing the Potomac
bridge Brooks Station and Stoncman's
Switch, and troops upon the march to
wards the front, we reached the little village
! Of Acquia, and Immediately transferred our
selves to the steamer John Brooks bound
to he National Capital Aqua Creek is
the landing for all the supplies for this
army--th therefore quite a vI,age, principally
occupied by soldiers.
We had pleasant ride to Washington -
passing Mount Vernon, and Fort Wash
ngton and Alexandria. The latter place
has been fenced in to guard against caval-
ry raids, and from what could learn the
people were IN desperate staights, less
Stewards cavalry, should pounce in upon
them some dark night. when they least cx-
pccted it. The convaleScent camp is two
miles west Of the city, and more dilap
idatei looking hole have seldom seen.
TO this camp, all stragglcrs, deserters, re-
cruits, &c, arc sent preparatory to being
distributed to the various corps. Beyond
the camp is a line of breast works and from
the view had Of them judge Alexandra
Stewart as your own little city. There are
five lines of entertainments on the Virgins
5 de for the protection of Washington ant
Alexandra. The two places are strongly
fortified, and it seems an impossbility
for an army to capture either place. Ye
with force Of sixty or seventy Thousand
in the immediate vicinity,-of the tw'
places the people are trembling with fear
Ar innumerable number Of forts and stock
AIDES encircle the National Metropolis, ant
in every direction you see the heavy ordi
nance planted covering every accessible spo
to the city. There need be no fears 70
| these two places, they are safe from attacl
and their capture by the rebels an impossi
billy.
In company with friends we rode aroun'
the cty,-visited the Smithsonian Insti
tute, the Washington Monument and seve
raj other noted places. In the evening at
tended Growers theatre, saw Miss West
ner and Susan Denim performed in tn
, play of East Lynn" Come to the con
clusion that the theatre going public O
/ Washington had rather poor taste, or els
all came desperately cnamored with eacl
other and preferred the low, blood am
thunder plays cast on the stage Of Grover
theatre, to something lively and of interest
Take the government buildings from Wash
Ington and the place would not compel
with Prairie du Chen. Its streets ar
dusty and wholly devoid Of police arrange
ments. Until this spring the citizens di'
not think it worth while to introduce
~prigk,er, and it shocks the modesty G
us southern residents to have yankee IN
troduce something relative to comfort. Il
'act do not like Washington city, an
becoming tired and weary of the plsce
and dsgusted with the pomp and show ol
Pennsylvania Avenue. in company will
Col Dudley, Lieut.. Davidson and Captain
Gibson I'll of this hrigade-took tn
IL 81 train for Baltimore, arriving there a
u As. putting up at The Barnum HOTEL
The afternoon was spent in riding abou
the city. and the evening was passed at tn
3 theatre: Sunday We rode ont to Fort Nc
Henry, there took a steamer and sail d on
-. into tn bay, passing Fort CulliS and othe
points Of interest along the Maryland shore
, We admired Baltimore, and found it inter
| est,ns to view the places of attraction abou
e the monumental city, and left it on Sunda
evening happy, because we had good tim
, and as became individuals of our cahbre
t enjoyed ourselves.
, Tuesday morning VT bid adeu to friend
t and returned to the army, well satisfied
. with our five days cruise about Washing
ton and Baltimore. We started out for en-
joyment aud we got it. We may not hav
been strictly neutral on all questions, ye
we endeavored to observe the right path Q
duty and still adhere to the maxI'n-"go Il
lemons though you get squeezed
= On our return, We found the army in