Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-06-08
EDITORIAL eORRKsPONDKNCE.
WaAhington.-The Capitol BuiIdings--The
NaIurai Bear GHrdeu--A view from the
Dome Of the CapItOl-- W cuuded from
Grants Armys-A Boy Soldier.
WAsHIHaToH, June 5

WAsHIHGToN, June 5.
On leaving Baltimore We naturally ex-
pecied to see the signs and sdmonitions Of
war multiplying as we approached the
city II Washington, but were compelled
to fOregO the dissgreesbls vision. A
stranger travelling from Baltimore to
Washington on the railroad would not
infer that great war is rsging in the
land from any evidences on the route.
There are but few soldiers visible, the
fields ere cultivated and peaceful industry
smiles everywhere. On reaching WASH
ington, although soldiers, army wagons,
hospital smbulances and army supplies
are visibIe at various points, one feels that
he is no nearer the field Of deadly strife
than If he were hundreds Of miles away.
So far as accurate intelligence from the
seat of wsr is concerned, distance lends
accuracy to the knowledge.
On reaching Washington, constrained
by wilful fancy, we we're attracted first
to the Capitol building. As our echOing
feet raced through the lsbyrinths of this
immense build ng, we felt impressed with
the power Of great ration whose council
chambers are found in so stately slruc-
ture.
a ,ioit TO the House Of Representative,
is visit to bear garden. Confusion and
Buucombe often preside over their digni-
fed lsbors. We had none Of the feelings
which inducs reverential Orientsls to
PROSTATE themselves before the Grand
vizier. We did not gaze with wondering
curiosity upon great men, for, with few
exceptions, Congressmen are an ordinary
looking race OF beings. We may, here
after, indulge in few pen portraits Of
individuals.
From the gigantic do ne OF the Capitol
one Of the most magnificent views pre-
sents itself. Washington is built in the
valley Of huge saucer, such Of Old Thor
might have quafFsd Teutonic nectars from.
An smpbithester Of hills encircles us,
frowning grimly with forts and cannon.
Nature, in her great geological convuI-
sions, evidently had in view the defense Of
Washington against rebel. Far away TO
the south stretches in quiet majesty the
Potomac, fecked with white winged YES
sells. As the eye scans the southern hOri-
Eon, one can almost imagine he hears the
grim thunderings of war in front Of Rich
mond Returning fr5m suoa fancy flights
your eyes rest on a large open space Of
ground to t south of the Capitol, covered
with hovels-a decided contrast with the
Capitol building-illustrsting the poverty
of Washington hanging upon the store
houses of the Nation. The sky overhead,
said to be peculiar 10 Washington, was
thin wafer colored film Of clouds, which
vieled the fierce ardOr Of the sun. In
deed, with clear conscience, good eye
ond an spprecistive aesthetic heart intense
delight can be felt in standing on the
dome Of our National Capitol and ques-
tiOning the sky and earth for their beau
ties and lesse Of wisdom. mention
good eenseisnee. bssauss. while thus sIand=
ing and questioning, the atmosphere Of
Washington envelopes you. .
As we stood on the dome, our eyes were
attracted by a novel procession starting
from steamboat near the JUNCTION Of the
East and Potomac rivers. A train Of am
balances, in slow procession, moving from
8 stesmboat on the Potomac, suggested
wounded men from the army Of Grant. In
q moment the attractions Of nature were
lost in the presencs Of this great national
sOrrow, as We hurried from the dome to the
Steamer Maine, just arrived from White
House, with the wounded in skirmishes
and battles near MeohanicsVille. On
reaching the landing, guarded by soldiers,
we could not but re peot the curious and
sympatbising crowd Of blacks, wOmenisnd
who stop gszi]g snxiouely at
each wounded man, as he is borne on Ea
litter, from the boat to an ambulance.
Passing the guard and SSentering the boat,
an interest terribly painful. was the up
permost emotion. In tho hold in the cabin,
packed clOsely, side by side, we're the stall
wart, cheerful wounded soldiers Of the
Republic. 1 confess the wounded, groaning
men, take out the poetry Of hr, and
leave it prosaic, grim, fearful and terrible.
Some poor men, slowed away in the hold,
where not breath Of fresh air iound en-
.ranc', had died on the "sy. Six coTpses
were lying on the dock when We arrived.
Lifting the blankets from their faces, the
novel spectacle quiekened more than q
,hilds curiosity concerning the dead.
A number of lsdi were present with
vine, brandy, lemonade, e5ffse an d crack.
IT'S, who ministered to each wounded man
ls he came from the boat. The Sanitary |
nd Christian commissions were not re-
as all their workmen are st the
'ront. But volunteers in abundance we're |
here, among whom was, Mrs. 0lmstesd,
'Ormerly Miss Church, Of Ashtabuls
Jsuuty.
Approaching boy Of 18 years, we ask
lin. To what regimsnt do you bslOng2'
{ The Goth Ohio" said he. "From what
,onnty2' portage" "From what town
Ihip2" Garretsville." "Your name2"
'Peffers." nDo you know me?" "Yes,"
aid the boy, covering his eyes, streaming |
with hot tears. "Do your parents know
you are here2" "NO SIR" ~ ran away
tx months ago, snd my parents know not |