The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-04-29
CORRESPONDENCE.
For the Union aud Journal.
HEADQUARTERS, 22D REQ. U. s. C. T.,I
Williamsburg, April 9th, 1864.


HEADQUARTERS, 22D REQ. U. s. C. T.,l
' Williamsburg, April 9th, 1864. :
Mr.. EDITOR Rain, rain, rain ! mud, mud.
mud Is the order Of the day. Judging from
appearance, one would safely conclude that 1t
rained thirty.six In every twenty.four hours.
The mud here Is extremely tenacious, and has q
peculiar sticking Partially for ones boots. Its
adhesive quality is so prominent, that think
Yankee might make q handsome fortune by
taking out o patent for making an adhesive
plaster. The adroitncss with which one lis some.
times divcsted Of his boots would suggest, even
to an indifferent genius, the idea of patent
boot-jack. have bad thoughts of applying
for patent for both. II any Of your dealers
in patent rights would like to make safe and
paying investment, they can be accommodated
by applying to these headquarters, as the ma
chine can be better tested here than elsewhere.
I have written this playfully, but seriously. II
you were never South you have o very feeble
conception of the Obstacles which mud presents
to an army impatient for fight. Your many
readers must wait patiently, and when the
proper time arrives the right blow will be struck
in the right place. There seems to ho general
impression here that there will be ON con to
Richmond movement" soon, in this direction.
G. w. Smith (Baldy) has, as you have already
seen. been appointed Major General and or
dercd to report to Gen. Butler. As far as can
learn, his assignment to this department gives
general satisfaction. Having been In the other
Pcninsular campaign, his knowledge Of the
country, fighting properties and military abili.
ties eminently qualify him for the position.
One Of the officers, who was in Smiths brig
adc, during his Peninsula campaign, relates
good joke unwittngly perpctratcd BY the Gen.
eral. One night after fatiguing days's march,
feeling little indisposed, he remarked to some
officers standing near him that he was afraid ho
might have an attack of diarrhGa before morn
ing. An aid, standing farther of, understood
him to say that he was afraid hc should have an
attack In the rear before morning. Having an
ardent temperament, and being rather jealous,
the aid without orders) Immediately informed
the commanding offi,ers Of the regiments that
the General expected IN attack in the rear.
The officers, wishing to show their promptness
and vigilance, Immediately ordered their res.
pcctivo commands under arms and kept them
so all night. Whether the General was disap-'
pointed in his expectations or the enemy made
an attack ipthc rcar, "this dcponcnt saith not"
WIN WILLIAMSBURG.
n Having few leisure moments, visited this
monument of the folly of secession. Like many
other cities of the South, It has severely felt
tho devastating influence Of war, in Its decima-
ted population, ruined buildings and dilapidat-
ed appearance generally. William and Mary's
college, once the pride Of Virginia, noted for
its antiquity and also for the eminent men who
have held itin reverence as their Alma Mater"
Is q mass Of ruins; having been set on fire by
the rebels In their assault made in September
1862. This place is also noted for its Insane
Asylum-a part of which was built before the
Revolution. or course II has been enlarged
and much improved since that time. II has
nine wards, Ave for males and four for females,
in all capable Of accommodating three hundred
patients. By permission Of DR.. Wagon of Penn.
sylvania, the present superintendent, | visited
oil the wards. One noticeable feature in pass
ing through the wards allotted to the females,
was their shabby, old.fhshioncd dresses. /
think that hoop skirts are on unhcard Of insti-
tuition here. One would Judge he was in
Northern almshouse. Another disgusting and
repugnant feature Is, most II not all of the wo-
men chew tobacco. and every visitor Is assail-
ed with tho question, "Got any tobacco!" In
fact, tho matron, rs she went round with us,
carried paper of fine cut tobacco and distrib-
uted rs she went along. Looking from one of
the back windows, was shown small build
ing, said to have been Washington's kitchen.
was told that Washington in his early days
lived here. In front Of the kitchen Is n yew
tree, said to be the only one in this part of the
country. The Asylum is under tho patronage
of Uncle Sam. ~
Our regiment Is rapidly improving in drill,
and sustains high reputation in the estimation
of the Colonel commanding this post. He says
he had rather have II than any regiment he has
had md as there hos been quite number OF
white regiments here. VIC consider 1t high
compliment would give your readers the
strength of tho force we have here. but as can
conceive Of no possible good to thcm, shall
omit II at present.
Yours respectfully, AsrRAGALUs.