The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-02-03
Letter from the Federal Capital.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. LIST, 1854.

Laughed soldiers on their way home. Some
times whole regiment arrives and leaves for
the North in body. More frequently, how
ever, these veterans pass through the city in
squads, larger or smaller as the case may be-
1t does ones heart good TO see them making
their way towards the depot, no longer confin-
ed to the wearisome order Of the column but in
happy forgetfulness of Scott and Hardee,
choosing their way at will, cheerfully carrying
plethoric knapsacks piled up with blankets,
burdens never so light before, with swarthy
faces that seem already to have caught and to
be rejecting the light of the homes towards
which they are turned-faces already radiant
with the happiness of that speedy reunion SO
long hope and dream. Now and then you
may see party INDUCING in the luxury of
hack, riding through the streets in state
Many find time to explore the noteworthy
sights and scenes of the Capital, while others
spend their hours of waiting in the Soldiers
Retreat or near the depot too much engrossed
with thoughts of home to care for anything
else And it is not more pleasant than sad,
to look upon these weather-beaten and battle
SCARED men. They are the remnants and rel
les of those many, many gallant regiments,
which, during the first two years Of the war,
marched through this city with cleaning
arms, unstained by rust or the red stain of
battle, with gay banners and exultant music,
in long and even ranks-the pride, and flower
and hope of thu land. OF all who came glow
ing with health and full of manly strength
and vigor, only thin remnant are here to 60
back. Many, however unable to endure the
fatigues and exposures of military life, have
been returned to the pursuits of peace, and
those who have fallen have persisted, not in
gloriously nor, thank God, in vain.
But however much we may sympathise
with the pleasant anticipations of these brave
men about to revisit their homes they have
not seen for nearly three eventful and perilous
years much as we deplore the absence Of
those comrades they have left, wherever the
starry banner and the rebel rag have met, we
are more moved by admiration of that he
roism which is unable to leave the conflict
while foes menace the country. These men
have not abandoned the struggle. They will
soon return to offer themselves anew to their
country, to lay their bodies, mayhap, beside
their slaughtered comrades. Honor, all hon
or to the veteran regiments.
A splendid banner to be presented to the
famous "Iron Brigade" has been on exhibition
for some days past in the Congressional Ii
brary. 1t is of blue silk fringed with gold,
bearing in the center an eagle finely painted
with the national shield and laurels. Above,
upon an embroidered scroll, is inscribed in
gold letters "Iron Brigade" and beneath the
national motto. On each side of the central
device are inscribed in a similar manner the
words, " Gainesville" Bull Rum" "South
Mountain" " Antietam," " Fredericksburg"
Gettysburg The flag also bears the names
OF the regiments composing the brigade, viz:
the I'd, 9th, and 7th Wisconsin, the oath Mich
igan and the 10Th Indiana. -.
The adoption of the new rule by the Senate
on this day week requiring all members of that
body to take the oath OF Office prescribed by
the law of July, 1862, will doubtless meet the
views of the loyal people at large. Nor will
Baysrd on the next morning in consequence
of it. However much the national councils
may suffer from his absence, the country will
probably survive the shock. The withdrawal
by Mr.. Wilson OF his resolution to expel Mr.
Davis, the discussion Of which occupied near
ed. The Senate though strongly condemn
ing the resolutions of Mr.. Davis, were still
unwilling to do anything looking like an in
fringement on the liberties of debate.
The speech of Reverdy johnson, of Mary
land, on Thursday, respecting slavery, was in
strong contrast with the habitual tone Of Mr.
Davis remarks. If the fanaticism of the
Kentucky Senator ON that subject is not proof
against all reason, he must have learned some
thing from his fellow Senator, born and reared
like himself in slave State. The discussions
in the House on the subect..of confscation
have been of late quite spirited and interest
ing. The speech of Mr.. Garfield, on Thurs
day, was particularly SO.
The opening of the Ladies' Sanitary Fair,
on Wednesday evening, was very successful.
Speeches were made by Senator Pomeroy,
president Of the association, Judge Kelly and
Speaker Coliax.
80 my dear James, exclainis Ticker to the
Ettriek Shepherd, Conversation is at very
low ebb in this world" 81 have often thought
and felt that, returns Hogg, sat parties
where ane inicht haze expeckit better things.
First O. a. comes the wather-a no bad topic,
but ane that towns folks ken naething about"
In the beautiful essay, the charming prose
poem that follows the Shepherd proves beyond
doubt the truth of his remark and vindicates
"the wather" as "a no bad topic" Disallow-
ing, however, as we have right to do the in
yidious assertion in the last clause and assum-
ing our competence to judge though living
among the bricks, we may safely consider that
subject which is SO suitable to open CONVEX
sation as good enough to close letter. Well,
mouth ago instead of the dismal fog and
drizzle the rain and mud Of the past two years
at this season, came a genuine snow storm.
This was soon followed by another accompa-
MED and succeeded by the coolest weather,
have ever experienced here. The roofs, the
streets, the river, frozen as far as one could
see, presented a wintry outlook while the Ar
lington heights, the hills beyond, the bold ee-
vations bounding the horizon on the Maryland
side, each crowned with its tawny earthworks