The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-12
CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON. Aug. 4. 1864.

visit some OF the hospitals. having received
q note informing me that friend OF mine
was at Carver Hospital, | started early this
morning to visit 1t. The hospital Is situated
about two miles from the Capitol, upon l4th
street, on ON eminence, where the patients
have 6ne breeze and fresh air during these
warm days. Columbia Hospital is adjoining
it. As I approached the place band was
discoursing sweet music in the grounds 'front.'
ing the headquarters. / could not help
thinking Of the power of music. Music in
spires the soldier to do deeds Of valor upon
the battle field. Amid the roaring Of tho
cannon and tho fierce assaults Of contending
armies, the "Star Spangled Banner" Is heard
inspiring the soldiers and encouraging to re.
pei the attack, or bravely assault our coun.
try's foo. It's sweet strains also soothe the
weary wounded, and seem to carry him back
to tho slowed ones" far away; bright scenes
of early days and Of pleasant homo come
with their sweet quieting influence upon his
memory. But while thus moditating reach
ed the hospital and found my friend. Stand
ing beside those cots where were laid those
from whom many anxious ones wero waiting
in suspense to hear, ! could not help think
ing of the mourning and desolation which
war has occasioned within tho last few years;
but the most bitter thought is, that notwith-
standing all these sacrifices there ore those at
home who hear with pleasure Of the success
of our enemies and the defeat of the nation
al forces.
Throughout oil of the apartments that !
entered there was shown manifest interest
by those in charge, to those under their caro-,
and everything was neat and tidy. Upon in.
quring Of my friend he informed me that he
had everything that he wished for, and was
treated with kindness. In passing through
Armory Hospital found VIM. R. Buzzell,
of Dayton, who has been confined there by
q fever. He expressed strong desire to re-
cover that no might return to his regiment.
but while converting with him the intelli.
genco was brought into the room that large
portion of the 3lst and 32d Maine regiments
had been taken prisoners in tho last great
fight before Petersburg.
The excitement of tho lato raids Is over,
and general strengthening Of the fortihca-
tions by troops Is the result. It is generally
conceded that had tho rebels in force made
an early and vigorous assault upon the city,
It would have been likely to have proved sue
cessful. The clerks in the different depart
ments are fully organized, and "they say"
that the reason why tho rebels left SO sud-
denly was, that they got wind of the organ
ization Of company of "sharpshooters" in
tho Treasury Department. The truth Of
this, however, I cannot vouch for. We drill
every day from 3 to 4. Among some of the
clerks there has been some little dissatisiac-
ton at the sharp orders given by the officers,
and number of these gentlemen notified
one Of the sergcants, who informed them
that IL should be rcmedied, and that he would
tako charge Of the squad at the next drill.
Subsequently, in drilling. the ranks were
rather open, and he gave the following com.
mand -" Gentlemen, your ranks are rather
open; you will please close up at your ear.
lest convenience" There has been no
trouble since.
John Randolph once said that Washing.
ton was noted for its magnificent distances :"
it is somewhat surprising to mo that he had
not included boarding houses also. But per.
haps the boarding houses were not so notori.
ous ut that time as they are to-day. My ex-
perience has been somewhat short, but 1t
does not take long to get posted up.
Washington city was commenced back
wards, and tho people nre determined to Cur.
y out tho plan. The Capitol fronts to the
,ast, the city proper is in the rear; the streets
,ommen 20 in the suburbs, and are numbered
IN to tho Capitol; tho drains, instead Of be-
ng under the ground, are on the surface, and
tho miasma which arises from them, with the
at liz to 100 in tho sun, is far
ar from pleasant. There are always two
wills attending out Of door excrcise-cithor
lust or mud. A light wind raises clouds Of
lust that fills the cars, eyes and noso and
makes It very unpleasant. or lato, by great
tho metropolis is sprinkled. In
,assing in the streets. the old Now England
,ustom Of taking tho right hand is entirely
gnorcd. aud each one makes q dive for him.
elf, and the entire population goes in for
aking care Of No. l, to the discontinue Of
No. 2 quite often.
At the late great raid that threatened tho
security Of the city, tho gallant company to
which belong offered their services to tho
Government to-rcpel invaders, but they were
rot accepted. and thero were no brilliant
leeds or exhibitions Of heroism that can TO
ord therefore ! will only say We stood our
,round and "snuffcd tho battlo afar." Our
,ceiment is called the e"greenbsck regiment"
coguomsu which has become quito common.
AZ our frst oifcr the Government did not 40
opt our services, but II the rsbs. pay us an
visit We shall offer our services again,
md they cannot rofuse, for the law has been
ottled that "greenbacks" ar" illegal tender. !"