American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-07-27
VOLUME |.
ARMY correspondence.
LINCOLN U. S. GENERAL HOSPITAL,
Washington d. c., July IL, 1864.

ise. but presume 1t Would DC ""0'o "
time and paper to give you summary OF
the startling and exciting news about
Washington, at present, as it may be
weeks before you receive this, if the army
now menacing this capital are. not driven
hack soon. will endeavor to confine my
self to few of the scenes and doings IN
and around this city, that have been trans
piring for few days back
When we first heard of the rebel raid,
we felt some little anxetiessand appre-
hension for the borders of Pennsylvania
and Maryland, although most all looked
upon it as small force of cavalry, who
sought plunder and supplies; while 9th
ers viewed it. the amount of their forces
increased wonderfully in every addition
of the -dailes, as faint made on Wash
ineton and Baltimore, to withdraw or
loosen the hold Grant has on Petersburg
and Richmond believing that they are
desperately forced to this alternative, and
that it is the last expiring struggle ofthe
i'll starved and fated rebellion, in case
they are never suffered to re-cross the
Potomac, this zen is the prevalent op'n-
ion of nearly all classes at present, | mean
the cooler portion of the people
After the defeat of Gen. lew Wallace,
and his retreat on Baltimore, and the cut
ting of the rail roads north Of that city,
by the rebel cavalry under Harry Gilmore,
and their boast that they would have
Baltimore and Washington, by the latter
part of the present week, our military
authorities became alarmed, and with ac-
tive effort and alacrity, set seriously to
work TO receive the "Johnnes' warmly
and in a style Of grandeur and magn'ii-
cence little suited to their taste but not
at varicnee with, or unlike, except On a
more extensive scale, some Of those bloody
receptions they give our brave boy around
their so called capital.
On Sunday all conyalcscent soldiers IN
hospitals and belonging to heavy artillery,
were sent 10 the forts On Monday NOR
ming about four o'clock a. m, the long
roll was beaten aud all who were able to
carry musket were ordered out immcdl-
atcly. and were sent towards fort Stevens;
about nine hundred were sent from this
hospital alone. As soon as the drum was
beaten, the brave fellows came pouring
out from the different wards, some Oh
crutches, others supporting themselves ON
canes while many had their arms in sings
and suffering from wounds but recently
received, and.fell into line, and when or
dercd back to their beads plead to have
the privilege of going to the Notifications,
and in fact some succeeded in eluding the
yigilence of the Medical Officers, and are
being returned hourly; such was their
desire to help turn back the rebel brl-
gands who are hurdling around and mena-
cling our capital. How proud and great
full the American people should feel, to
think they have such valorous defenders,
who, when covered with wounds and
emaciated from suffering, rush forward
and ask that they shall go to battle against
the enemies of their flag.
On hearing the drum and seeing con-
fusion and excitement in and around
here, the rebels wounded in this hospital
became quite bold and insolent, but they
Were shortly given to understand that
each nurse had six balls of lead for them
upon the first show of insubordination. In
passing Old Capital Prison yesterday, |
observed tlrat those confined there were
crowding the windows looking towards
the northwest, where there was consid
cradle firing going on, their countenances
seemed to express look of speedy deliv-
erance.
The 9th Corps passed through here on
Monday last, they marched out seventh
street. | saw number of the 102d and
'139th Regt's. and they all looked we |,
and seemed glad to have an opportunity
to meet their old foes mere, as they will
have some chance for an equal contest,
and in the event of a capture of this city
it would have to be done over the dead
bodies of the gallant fighting 9th, who
are the dread of the enemy
The clerks Of the various government
departments have turned out, and are eli
ther stationed in the forts or about the
defenses. The citizens are coming for
ward and enrolling themselves, and are
moving towards the front. The rebel por-
.tion of the community do not seem to
relish sack of Washington, as they
might perhaps feel the effects of such a
disaster. The air in the city is full of the
most wild sensational rumors, Consequent
lv the ,nore timid and credulous are filed