The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Federal CAPITAL.

WASHINGTON, MAY u, 1864.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The week is wearing away slowly. Days,
and even hours seem long in this profound
suspense, and amid this overwhelming excite
ment. Nothing is read or talked or thought
about but that stupendous and awful struggle
which has now been raging more than week
between the enemies and defenders of the
Republic. The thrill of interest which runs
through the city at the receipt of some new
telegram, or the arrival of some fresh courier.
may indeed be transienty allayed by the an
nouncements of the extras a few minutes
after, but the intense expectancy with which
the people await the mighty events now de-
yeloping, neither ceases nor flags by night or
day. Even Congress, with SO many great
tasks nnperformed, seems unable to devote it
self to business, and the Senate adjourned, an
hour or two ago, until Monday.
The proclamation OF the President inviting
the people TO render thanks to Almighty God
for our success thus far, and to Join in suppli-
cations for His further blessings upon our eff
forts, seems like an utterance from the public
heart at this tremendous hour. 1t Is clear
that up TO this time the advantage remains
with our standards, and equally clear that
every advantage gained has been wrung from
the enemy only by the most desperate and
obstinate fighting.
or the terrible carnage which has filled the
hospitals at Fredericksburg with the suffering
and the dying, and may be strewing the field
of battle with the mangled and bleeding
wrecks Of our heroes even while write, we
can form little idea, but are not without re-
minders in the daily arrival of the wounded
and the dead. Yesterday afternoon, about
five O'Clock, the steamer City Of Albany ar
rived at the Sixth street wharf from Belle
Plain, bringing up go wounded Before her
CHASTITY cargo was discharged into the ambu-
lances that were waiting for it. the steamer
Wawaset came steaming up with 531 more
These men were more seriously injured than
those who had previously arrived. Coffee,
lemonade, ice water and sandwiches were dis
tributed TO the poor fellows, who received
the refreshments with many expressions of
thankfulness.
The body of Major General John Sedg-
wick, who comman nded the Sixth Army Corps
and who was killed on Monday last, lay at
the embalmers most OF the day yesterday, and
was visited by great number OF people
The body was dressed in the uniform it had
worn in life, and lay in its coffin with calm
and placid look that was almost smile upon
the fine soldierly face. Beneath the left eye
and near the nose appeared the wound through
which the sharpshooter's bullet had entered
his brain. The remains were escorted to the
cars by party OF officers at seven o'clock
last evening.
n lew EOuIs dSO tue DOuy Ol HAYS
was carried to the depot escorted by a Sec
tion of Artillery only, for many men can not
now be spared even to dohonor to our nobest
slain. The indescribably mournful sound OF
the muffied drums and the bugles playing
funeral dirge was, am sure, no hollow indi-
cation of grief. The body of General Stephen
son Of Massachusetts,. who fell eight and for
ty hours ago while leading the first Division
Of the Ninth Corps into the fiercest of the
Au,t mi HnoA'a rohals ltae fauy oAs
from where / write. Gazing upon his hand
some and intellectual features, so profoundly
placid in their marble repose, with the dear
old flag spread over him, and handful of
flowers, the gilt of some kind heart, resting
upon his bosom-gazing at him as he lies
there so gloriously, one might almost grow
enamored of death. Close beside him lie the
remains of Lieut.. Col. Chapman of the 57lh
New York in a magnificent coffin, upon the
foot of which lies his coat riddled with balls
and stiff with blood Nor are these all. The
corpse of General Rice, who commanded the
third Brigade, fourth Division, 9TH Army
Corps, is in the same building and will lie in
state tomorrow.
Our loss of valuable officers has been terri
bly, heavy. And while we mourn for them as
they deserve, we can but remember with
sorrow still more profound, the thousands no
less brave than they, who have given their
lives to their country and their God Just as
freely, and who sleep tonight in the shallow
grave, the common trench, or upon the open
battle efield. For them we need not pray, but
for those countless hearts to whom they we're
dear We may we'll beseech Gods sustaining
and sanctifying grace. In them our Country
has lost many of her bravest sons but has
gained an example of heroic devotion and
sublime sacrifice that will be more to herthan
the strength of numbers Had our arms never
been bonorably distinguished before the events
of the last few days would have covered them
with glory.
Troops are still going to the front in large
numbers. As commence this paragraph the
drums of a regiment, marching toward the
river, reach me through the darkness of the
evening. A heavy force is said to have
passed through the city very quietly last
night. Sigel is said to have nearly reached
Grant From both Butler and Sherman we
have cheering news. Truly II storms and
"thunders all round" !" hut as our fathers said
to themselves in the dark days of the Revo-
luton, so now and with far better appare I
reason say we "serenebit'-it will shine to-
morrow. TSP