Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-02-05
FROM VIRGINIA.
Correspondence Of the Journal.
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hDAloh W JOUkNALs-oinCe tno uate OF my
last letter to you (and there has been and una
voidable interval,l we have had some Of the
most intensely cold weather. in this part Of the
sunny SOUTH" ever before felt or experienced
even by that ubiquitous individual known as
the oldest inhabitant" Ihave wintered midst,
and upon, the lofty range Of mountains in wea-
tern Virginia, with only wall.tent to shield
against storms and the piercing cold which there
prevails; and yet, l free to say, l experienced
less cold in that latitude, during the two winters
we campaigned there, than have here since the
advent OF the new year. until tho 10th inst
when IL commenced moderating. have con.
versed with men past three-scOre and ten who
assure me that, having lived in and near Alex
andria for more than fifty years. they cannot rec
ollect fall Of snow so heavy--I4 inches on
level, as it fell -and that has lain on the earth
so long-from January lst to the 17th. You
can judge of the intensity Of the cold when tell
you that the thermometer, on the mornings Of
January LIST and Sd, indicated 4 degrees below
zero! That might well do for the bleak, north
ern latitude wherein is located that delightful
belt of country" yclept the "Black Swamp
but, when showered upon "man and beast 70
the extent of the past few weeks, in this delec,a-
BILE part ofthe mundane sphere, there is no ap-
parent danger of risking one eye on the differ
ence of winter here aud there---if that is not
slight Irishism.
The Potomac river has been covered with ice
varying in thickness from IS to "a inches; which
of course, entirely impeded navigation. The
river was closed up over two weeks, longer than
is known to have ever been the case. 1t is, how
ever, barring the disadvantage to navigation, the
Occasion of a fine ice-harvest among hotel keep
ers, restaurant men and ice-creamers; and will
save ice shippers throughout the northern sea-
coast states vast deal of trouble during the
coming summer, as there will be no ice wanting
in Georgetown, Washington or Alexandria, un-
less it be on Government account for use of the
different departments and for hospital purposes
On the 18th it commenced raining, which, with
the dense fog and high southern wind, soon
cleared the river ofall its icy burden, and again
is seen the "going up and down of vessels and
steamers, tugs and transports, oyster-yawls, &c"
The intense and bitter cold has been extreme
iy severe among the poor, suffering lf-starved,
half clothed contrabands in and around Alexan-
Idria, and several deaths, by reason of freezing.
has been the result. The majority oftheui, hows
ever, have comfortable shantes and some six
hundred are well provided for by the govern
ment. ! suppose am not far short in esiiniat-
ing the number ofshanties that have been erect
ed by contrabands, in and around Alexandria, at
from 300 to $50, each of which contains, on
an average, six inhabtants so that by est,uat-
ing the number at the lowest number given, 800,
would give US one Thousand eight hundred; and
then adding those in the employ of the govern
ment, six hundred, and at least from 800 to 1000
scattered over different parts of the city, we
have total of over three thousand human be-
ings who, a twelve-month ago, were a part Of
the cornerstone of the confederacy Of Jeffl-
Considering the way in which the corner -ssoi.s
has had its corners and sides trimmed off since
the tocsin offreedom was sounded by Old Abe,
there is reason to suppose that a few months
more will finish the trimming and then that
magnificent cohesion of southern states rights.
with slavery as a basis, will topple over The
abyss of its own unfathomable depths of inioui.
ty. no more to be heard of or thought of but with
loathingl Amid all the sufferngs and priya-
tions of this much abused and down-trodden
race, there isstill apparent an amount of cheer
fulness and content that goes far 10 exalt them
in the estimation of pyen their bitterest enemies
There is an undercurrent of feeling and sympa-
thy fast springimg up among that class Of the
white population who have, heretofore. been
foremost in their clamor that slavery should not
be disturbed, simply because it would cast loose
on northern society race of beings, if not all
vagabonds and thieves, yet entirely worthless
and burden upon the entire white population.
The more one sees and becomes acquainted with
these down-trodden people, and the privations
they have been subject to from earliest infancy
to the day when the glad tidings were brought
to their ears that hencefor,h they are free citi
zens Of the same country in which they once
were slaves, the more one has reason to admire
the lofty patriotism, honesty of purpose, and
purity of intention which. under the mysterious
Idirecton of the Raler of the Universe, first
lswayed the mind of our worthy and honest rui-
er, Abraham Lincoln, to issue proclamation of
freedom to eight millions of human beinesl--
However imperative aud absurd il appeared 10
many when it was first promulgated-hoyever
much it was scoffed aud rdiculed by every con-
perhead at the norlh--it has demonstrated itself
of incalculable blessing 10 down .trodden race.
and done more to cripple and break down ihe
southern oligarehy than the combined victories
that have been won by our brave comrades in
arms. 1t is no longer the "Popes bull against
acometi"-ifI have correctly quoted
Excuse my lengthened distribe on the poor
man Of color. Once, ! am ashamed to cav,
wrote philippe upon philippe against Them;
and il, hereafter, can say word ia their favor,
or do them kindness, trust may have man
linesA enough TO do the former, and ssnse of
Justice to prompt to the latter
The hospitals in the Military District ofWash.
ington, am glad TO say, are only about one
third full. For instance, this hospital with ac-
commodations for l.0Oa patients. at present con-
tains less than 800 and the same is the cnse with
all the hospitals in Alexandria, Washington
aud Georgetown. Adviees from the Army Of
the Potomac represent the health Of thssoldiera
as unusually good so that there is every reason
to suppose that the hospitals In this district win
lremain comparatively empty during the next
three months, or until active operations nrb re-