The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-04-15
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, D. c.,
April .. 1864.
DEAR UNION:


DEAF UNION;
We have tried to be patient in endur-
ing as christians should be, the dulness of
this passing unpleasant season--done our
our best to make light this spring Of car dis
content; but wind, rain and mud, cu-opera-
ting with Serb. Sr's, Zone could almost ac.
cuse S. S. Of being maiden ON the shady
side Of twenty-five by the sly way taken to
remind us Of youthful eighteen,) soorniul
crying against the evil has almost persuaded
us to agree with him that birds, men and
poets and other animals are foolish, very,
TO offend much abused spring by nantes
tation of gladness at her approach, and those
who sit on green banks mid budding flowers,
or wander in the lone wood where the har-
mony of solitude srudely broken BY the harsh
trill of the foolish birds, and attempts to
weave tie golden thread Of their joy into
poetry for the amusement and benefit and
praise of their mere worldly fellows, would
do well by following bis wise example and
consign all such to the more approaching
flames. We would wholly coincide with him
there, but then alas foF the existence of our
Poets Corner"
/ say we are 'victomized" great way.
into christian endurance here in this pleasant
District--yea, even in Washington City by
lawfully horrid mud," and when one calls to
mind the proclivity of Virginia soil to be soft,
he can conceive in moment that the truth
of what our army is enduring sprpasses fc-
ton.
The wind is blowing rudely and boisterous-
ly, and the rain is falling increasingly, "tat-
too" sounds sullenly through the camp and
the men crawl reluctantly from their rude
but comfortable huts, plunge 'reund in the
mud, get in line and answer troll calP' with
hoarse Here P After sundry queries for
delinquents the orderly" closes the perform
ance by calling off the picket detail for next
day, the ranks is broken and the "vietoms''
fsaspicket retires with the oft repeated and
no doubt soothing soliloquy, "just my luck
its bound to rain when 1 go on picket p
Morning comes storming, ere long Guard
call" beats, picket guard is mounted and
they plunge grimly off while consolation is
offered in tones of questionable kindness from
various heads stuck ont promisciously from
tents about camp, by "there you go, you pooi
miserable soldiers told you SO ! why die
you 20 for a recruit2" and other quite as con
selling expressions. Morning comes again in
rain and storm and our picket of yesterday
is relieved, comes back to camp brave ant
) patriotic still, but wet, muddy and tired. A
! few hours sleep and they are ready to offe
g some Of the consolation SO lavishly bestowed
: upon them to the unfortunate next morning
| Such is soldier's life with its jollities AMI
{ other things. think can see it all now.
a But if the weather has been inclement an'
. the mud much and powerful both combined
: has not prevented the Sanitary Commission
!. Fair at the Patent Office building from beini
r a big thing" The patronage bestowed upoI
g it spoke we'll for ye peopleof Washington. 1
i closed with two grand balls, and though thu
: nighs Of ths fret ball was exceedingly stormy