The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-07
COMMUNICATIONS.
Correspondence Of the Press.


WASHINGTON, May 2, 1864.
To the Editor of the Press:
Perhaps few lines from the National Cap
ital may not be an unwelcome addition TO
your paper.
the most important news travels so fast on
the wires that you may be even now prepar-
ing TO print some of the information which
send you. There have been but few events
here in the military line OF much interest
since the passage of Burnside's army through
the city. As to the present position of those
troops and their future destination, | shall
preserve discreet silence, which (notwiih-
standing the access that all newspaper cor
respondents have to the best informed mil
itary circles may be attributed to ignorance.
1t is well known TO your readers that MEM
beIs of the War Committee have been TO the
scene OF the Fort Pillow massacre to iuvesti-
gate the alleged atrocities committed there.
One of them who returned last night brings
full confirmation of the horrible reports of the
barbarities inflicted upon our deienceless sol-
diers, both ,chitc and black, and, moreover,
says that a" the half has not been told" He
says that he saw the body OF one lman nailed
10 the ruins OF house which was partly des-
troyed by fire, and a negro soldier, still liv-
ing, who had been bayonetted repeatedly af-
ter his surrender, receiving several wounds
III the face as he was prostrated. The wound
ed and otherwise disabled prisoners were
dragged out OF the hospital and murdered by
these demons.
Who can hereafter hold up the Indian saw
ages as examples OF the greatest cruelty in
warfare? 1t has been reserved for the white
race in this country, which but yesterday was
arrogating to itself the highest type OF civ
ilization, to equal Indians 10 ferocity towards
the conquered on the battlefield, and TO sub
ject their prisoners TO lingering torments in
captivity which put TO shame the ingenuity of
the redskin in those practices. AssuredIy
" rae rictis' Is TO be the watehword in this
conflict.
The debates in Congress do not exhibit as
mu sh animation as they did lately, when GER
tain copperheads were striving so hard to at
tract attention. Senator Davis of Kentucky
1.-THE bill for the three months men being un-
der consideration this afternoon mourDfully
called the country to witness that it was but
an electioneering device of the President
this arming and equipping 100000 Western
men
may here say that it is n matter Of pride
TO a native of Maine TO witness the respect
which she commands in the national councils,
and the high position occupied by some of
her Representatives here. To preserve an
equally balanced mind in these trying times,
1 a the vindcation OF great and wise principles,
10 rise superior TO the clamor of open foes aud
indiscreet allies, is especially the province of
one who stands preeminent ia the Senate.
need not mention the name of your distin-
guisbed fellow citizen, still less add my feeble
tribute OF praise to that which is paid him by
all who are themselves praised.
When | commenced this letter, l was in
tending TO say that Washington is exceeding
ly pleasant at this time of the year, and sun
dry comparisons suggested themselves be-
tween the forward verdure OF these parks and
parterres of grove guarded gardens" and
your lingering vegetation.
But whirlwind OF dust which has just
arisen admonishes me that there are serious
drawbacks to happiness here, and. moreover,
that l must hasten TO finish this letter, to
avoid getting caught in the torrents of rain
which seem likely to follow this general COM
motion Of the elements.