The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-06-10
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, d. o.,
May 29th,l 1864. !

May goth, 1864. !
DEAR UEpN;7-
. Ihave delayed somewhat my writing
in hopes to chronicle decisive battle which
we have been expecting daily since the Rap
idan was crossed, but it tarries yet, and I
will delay no longer. Eight days of as hard
and gallant fighting as the world ever saw,
has been, I'm SO sorry TO say, indecisive,
ending only to give Northern nerve supe-
riority over Southern impetuosity, and to
teach Lee the wholesome lesson that at last
he has an equal, pc haps "a superior, in all the
qualities that 60 to make General, opposed
to him, for the rebel authorities, while idly
boosting Of great Victories. make the some4
what dubious asowal that any other cyan
keel General but GrantwouM have re-crossed
the Rapidau after the first days fight. No
doubt they wish he had But he dident1-
Those long days Of most. Obstinate lighting
also proves to thew6rld, if III needs. additional
proof how the Americans can fight, Secre-
tart STATIONS last war bulletin, dated yes
terday,. gives most favorable news from all
quarters; Sherman steadily gaining in the
West, Grant as surely, if slowly, gaming in.
Virginia, and Butler, that grand "beast,"
showing his horns to advantage frightiully
close to Richmond. By the way that was a
grand feat of Lieutenant Colonel Bailey's In
engineering the Mississippi squadron from
its disheartening Elk" wasn't it2 That's
what We like to call strategy. Grant has
pushed Lee back SO far virtually by the mus
Gle Of the Army of the Potomac" has test
ed their fighting qualities to his perfect sat
isfaction, and now being serenefy sure Of b 9
army, IS rrrotng Kim back foot By Foot by his
own great genius. The wounded say tits be-
lieved in the army that Grant has said he
wants nothing better than getting Lee in the
defences of Richmond then tile fats of their
third and last Gibralsar is sealed. Brain
work, or strategy, if i gains its object, if
more Frustrated, than fighting; treasure is of
less Importance than blood. So let the pee
pie rest contest and be patient, the day that
dawns slowly is as bright as though it came
suddenly. If weeks, aye months of maneu-
yering gain what one day of desperate fight
ing would gain, its gains is cheap. Come
hither those who dissent with me in this and
see the mangled wounded, or go to the battle
plain and see the piled dead; then think Of
the many bereav,d hearts and hopes made
desolate. OH feel this as / write, think
of two dear friends who fell in the terrible
conflict in. the Wilderness" Two friends
that were loyal and loving through many
day tedious camp life, and in many hours
Of hardships and danger. The knowledge
that they died nobly and bravely as they had
lived, and knowing, too, by knowing their
lives, that nay loss is their eternal gain,
though great consolation, does not fill the
aching void caused by their death. speak
of Lieutenant Steel and Sergeant Sempler,
who many Of your readers knew, and none
knew but to love and respect. Our hospitals
about the city is flled to OVERLOOKING; yet
thanks to the excellency of the Government
regulations, and the truly good work of this
Sanitary and Christian Commissions, oui
wounded are faring comfortably and well
very nearly, il not quite as well us the,
would feel there. The worst wounded. VIII
has been compelled " lie al Fredericksburg
and otilsf places Ia vicinity OF the battle field
are now iast arriving. They seem neye
t,ring IN their praise vi the Christian effort
OF beiore named Oommissisns and other char
liable societies, As my space as last decreas
ing, ! have nut ROOM TO notice a little thin
oi minor Importance, referring, OF course, I
my senior brother. Now, my noble ST.,
can give, what TO me, and will be no doubt
every one, a satisfactory explanation why
impeached your Chinese Story In the hrs
place sad the last heard Ut you, not sal
! Tread aright please,) you was singing ii TN
&C., and surely I've heard Of you since ia.
> November, through the columns OF In
UNION. In the second place ii ttn, &c.,
your implied definition, wsen reduced to pur
!. English, means just nothing, and known
you are subject to being induced to loo
through the 'wrsng end of the horn" an
seeing things TRANSPORTED most wonderful
4 for which you was laughed at by ye Cox
people Of Milton,
Il ("old Milton, whom seer a town surpasse
For jolly lads and laughing lasses,
.. and the eerie deceyer. Now by putting .
this together, add the fact that had ev
went to the "never-to-be-heard-o
3 reading Captain Maryatt's novel, the case,
she song rather. of your lettrs would not ha
y been effected by the performance, it is sasi
seen whence the conclusion, and why the a
t. sertion. Are you satisfied Good nigf
N good Us1os.
Yours ScRIBbERUS, in.
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