The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-07-15
COMMUNICATIONS.
Boston Correspondence.

a memorable ,ceek-.Jubitdnt dem onstrdtions
Scene at the Merchants Erchdnge-Bos-
ton Hberdlity-The he draft and the drafted-
amusing scenes-Pers ondt-P PrdVer-meet-
ing at FdReuu Hdll-Speech Of refugee
More pirdtes-4rrirdi of prize-1he
Mass. 43d- Electric light Amusemcits.
BosroN, July 13, 1863.
To the Editor Of the Press
The past week will long be remembered,
marked as it is by glorious and encouraging
reports from our armies, and In this city and
vicinity by excitement and the draft. Every
body was jubilant Monday and Tuesday, but
on Wednesday, when the draft commenced,
what fall was there, my countrymenw
The Merchants Exchange has presented a
scene during the week which would delight
the student OF human nature especially those
not wholly given over to the doctrine of total
depravity. The bulletin board attracted eager
and exultant crowds, and while rejoicing over
brilliant victories, they were not unmindful of
those who won them; hundreds turned from
the board to the table of f. S. Tobey, Esq,
chairman OF the Army Committee of the
Christian Association, and with a thankful
heart and liberal hand each made his offering
toward relieving them. During the week
over S26.00O were thus contributed in sums
varying from the smallest to $500, and the
amount has been acknowledged by the u. S.
Christian Commission "voluntaIy offering
by Boston merchants" Besides this, the Adams
Express Company has raised large sum in
aid of a hospital established by them. Tues
day evening the victories were celebrated by
the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, illumina-
tions, &c. At six O'Clock the Old South bell
rang out merry reply TO the old Indepen-
dence Hall bell, which, it was telegraphed,
rang at three. In fact second Fourth of July
was experienced.
The draft, which | have said commenced
"Wednesday, spares neither nigh nor low, rich
nor poor the representative OF Fate blindfol-
ded who draws the names, is, most certainly
no respecter of persons. No manifestation of
disapproval has been made, and but few were
attracted by the interesting operation of draf-
ting TO the Marshal's oflice. Great pleasure
was enjoyed by the friends Of the 'chosen' in
calling upon them to congratulate them upon
the high and distinguished honor they enjoy
In being conscripts. In almost every instance
their calls were returned in the same hour. the
Laugh" being returned with interest by their
prospective brethren in arms. The press of
this city will be fully represented, five daiiies
furnishing each reporter The pastor of the
oldest ana most opulent society in the city
(kings Chapel was drawn-being young and
talented was considered 1T to grid on the ar
NOR OF the Union; yet this did not deter him
from leading to the altar on the following day,
his chosen bride. Many of the drafting off
GERS and assistants were among the elect: and
when their names were announced. the spec
tators gave each an emphatic endorsement.
These and many other amusing incidents
served TO temper the stern realities to the
shorn lambkin without the $500. The draft
VIII be resumed to-day, when the names for
the three remaining wards will be drawn
You may have the misfortune TO lose your
Boston Correspondent, whose name is down
on the list of one of these wards, but will be
sure to be uppermost in the bex. / calmly
resign myself TO the ordeal
with heart for any fate,''
for aught else were useless. Springfield is to
be the conscripts, rendezvous.
The prayer-meeting at Faneuil Hall, Thurs
day noon, was well attended by business men
as well as q large number of ladies' the whole
audience numbering over 1900. The exercises
were solemn and interesting. Earnest prayer
was offered by several prominent clergymen--
one or two being returned chaplans-giving
heartfelt thanks 10 him who giveth the victory,
Tor the recent success of our arms. Highly
patriotic remarks were made by the chairman
OF the meeting, L. 5. Tobey, Esq, and by
the several cergymen, one of whom was
refugee. Rev. j. III. Hunnicutt, for twelve
years editor OF the Christian Banner at Fred
ercksburg whence he was driven last Au-
gust by the rebels, since which time he has not
seen his wife and family. He was born in
and Is an intensely loyal man, which accounts
for his being refugee. He is oil the Parson
Brownlow stamp and upwards of sixty years
Old. Ills account of his sufIerings drew tears
10 every eye, and bis energetic and uncompro-
missing handling of the rebels and Copper
heads provoked laundering applause He
WIN doubtless have an opportunity of address
inS' as ne desires, a Boston audience ''about
nVe hours, which would do immense good
The meeting closed with singing of the dox-
ology and benediction, having occupied two
hours.
The report of the pirate steamer. snnposed
to be the Florida or Alabama. on our coast
destroying vessels, caused surprise and ex
cltement, and several steamers left the Navy
Yard Friday afternoon in search for her. This
shows that the rebels are hot frightened even
by Portland energy and bravery, and they
may make another swoop upon some of our
hafDors In some manner. But they can do in
Jury enough outside, and nothing should be
let undone to prevent further depreciation.
Haii,a-dozen fleet steamers ought to be able 10
overhaul her, il she has not already become
AWARE VI pursuit and left for new field of
operations
A valuable prize steamer arrived at this
port on saturday, in charge of a prize crew
from the U. ,. gunboat Santiago de Cuba. by
which vessel she was captured ON the o5tb
ult. She is British lof coursel iron side-
wheel steamer OF about 315 tons. called the
Britannia, and has successfully run the bloel
ade. A portion of her cargo tcottonl was
thrown overheard previous to her captnre
but she still has about 400 bales ON hoard
Her captain, mate, purser and chief engineer
were brought here in her. Blockade running
Is getting to be more and more hazardous
yet there are plenty of neutrals ever ready 10
invest British gold, not caring fig for the
glorious uncertainty
About 500 of the Massachusetts, 43d regi-
ment, OF which over 100 were sick, reached
nome friday; the remainder with all the Off