Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-03-27
A Visit to Washington, by one who kept his
Ears and Eyes open.


A Visit to Washington, by one who kept his
Ears and Eyes open.
We have had long and interesting conversation
with gentleman of high position and intelligence,
who has just returned from reconnaissance" of
the Yankee Capital He was in Washington for
some time and was close observer of events there
incident to the close of Congress. With an adroit
ness and holiness he eluded all suspicion, and min
gled in freely with all the most prominent of the
public men and politicians informing himself as
far he could of the military situation, the feeling
of the people, and the prospect of the North. With
his permission we give to our readers sketch of
interesting facts, which we have been able to
gather in the course of a conversation with him:
THE DEFENCEs OF WASHINGTON.
Washington is the capital and stronghold of the
enemy, and every thing has been done to make it
impregnable The panic after the first battle of
Manassas has not been forgotten by them, and King
Abraham keeps his Scotch cap and military cloak"
in very convenient distance from fear that he may
some morning awake to find himself fugitive from
his capital Indeed, Washington is by no means
considered safe, and the phantom of the "rebel
my" at its gates still disturbs the SAUNDERS Of
great many of its citizens. King Abraham seeks
his repose under the sleepless vigilance of armed
sentihes and feeling of uneaSness and timidity is
betrayed even in the pomp and glitter of office
The Yankees have, however, not been idle in draw
ing around them every plan and instrument of de-
fence, and are making the city as impregnable as
far as human power and skill devise. Centn-
nous and formidable lines of Notifications engirdle
the city on every side, and frowning cannon COM
mand every point of the compass The Gibraltar
of Washington is Arlington Heights, and the YaE-
KEGS rely upon the works here for the safety OF
Washington in case of an attack. The guns mount-
ed at Arlington are of the largest class and the
place is so strongly fortified that military
gard it as impregnable-at least the position could
L. A. Ec-l
of life. The other Notifications around Washing
ton are heavily mounted and men are kept con-
stantly at work on the earthworks in keeping them
in perfect repair. In the of Washington is 8
line of strong breastworks erected as q defence
against an attack from the North, and commanding
at several points the railroad that runs into Wash
ington from Baltimore.
The defences around Washington are manned by
comparatively a small force. With the army in
front of Washington it is of course not necessary
to- keep much force in the rear. From all the ind-
cations and from the most intelligent opinion our
informant could form, he does not think that the
whole military force p and around Washington
on all the fertilization included-will exceed
$4,000. The force at Alexandra was very small,
and would number not more than 5000 or G, 000
THE FEELING WASHINGTON FOR AN ADVANCE BY
HooKER-A PEEP BEHIND THE SCENES.
There was a general clamor in Washington for
an early advance by Hooker, but the Yankees were
it, are told that there a very great depres-
sion in the public mind, and many openly predicted
the defeat of Hooker. Many objected to the Ad-
minstration yielding to this clamor and persisted
that it would be but leading their men into a
slaughter PEN" They recited the reverse of
Burnside, and even proclaimed on the streets that
Hooker would share the same fate whenever he
should attempt advance. Military men IN con-
versation with our friend (incOg) freely expressed
this opinion and declared that would be madness
" to move on the rebel works at fredericksburg"
Our informant could not discover what was the
plan of those who opposed forward movement at
Fredericksburg, and says that there was such d.
versity of opinion and such jabbering and wrang-
ling of tongues at Washington that there seemed to
be no definite programme of action; that there was
no concert of action; no harmony of feeling; and
that the Yankees were drifting about like Shin at
sea without rudder or compass.
Everything had been done in Washington to get
Hooker ready for an advance. The last man had
been sent him, and everything was held spell bound
for the issue on the Rappahannock. Soon after the
council of war" held at the White House, which
Hooker attended, renforcements-but how many
Is not known-were sent to him. 1t was under.
stood that this was done by Lincoln as final con-
cession, and that Fighting Joe" was plainly given
to understand that it was all that would be done
for him, and that he must advance on the rebels
with the army he has. 1t was the general talk in
Washington that Hooker had one hundred and
thirty thousand men, but the average estimate in
military circles, and as derived from conversations
with officers is that Hooker's available force is
from ninety to ninety-fve thousand. Our inform.
&nt. from all he could gather thinks this is fair
estimate.
KING ABRAHAM L
There was very great feeling of dissatisfaction
IN Washington at the action of Congress investing
Lincoln with such extraordinary powers, and espe-
cialy against the indemnity BILL giving mpunity to
all his acts The conservative ciSsses said that it
was on the cid principle that 1.-THE King can do no
wrong" 1t was step towards monarchy and q
deed of absolute. power. The sword AID purse of
the nation we're at his will without even so much
ss the shadow of restraint The people were be-
coming alarmed at the subject, and even many of
Lncoips supporters and political friends denounced
the action OF Congress. 1t was bsrterng away their
liberties and committing the whole interests of the
nation to the power ofone man. It vss said in DO
htlcal circles that this unlimited power had been
voted Lincoln to prevent the necessity of converting
the new Congress- whose political complexion for.
bade the hope of its voting the ways and means tn
carry on the war. To make The matter sure. Con.
gress, before its dissolution, made Lincoln King
AbrahamI
THE "eoNTRABANDs" AT WASHINGTON
Our informant confirms the rpmoTs we have heard
the restitution and suffering Of the contrabands"
IN Washington. He says they are huddled together
In "Swampoodle "a low and marshy situation off
In the city-and they are in the most abjeet and
squalid poverty They are kept off to themselves,
ana no one takes the least interest in them-a char
acterst'c commentary on the hypocrisy of the Har.
net beecher school There is the greatest destitu.
uoh among them, many of them are half naked and
tue poor creatures are being swept of By dssasi