Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-07-28
there we're dozen great round holes 10 It, and on some
battlefield cannon shot had torn out OF its stars
STATE OF THINGS AT THE WAR OFFICE.

i STATE OF THINGS AT WAN orriS1
At the War Department found two Senators wsltin,
TO sec Mr. Stanton but he had time for any but thu
most pressing business Gen. Hardee was out on tou
Of inspection with the President Provost Marshal Gene
raj Fry was courteous and active as always Asslsap
Secretary of War busy enough yet cool enough
TO make douby that there was no cause
for any apprehension In the QUartermaster GENERA
Department the work of the day was confined 10 drne
awkward men, and being drilled by awkward men aud
rigging out and equipments for awkward men 70
string to do some business got hold OF ne OF ea
witch led iuto at the right where was tno
clerk, and then into at the left where was anoii
chief clerk aud then up stairs to the lett whefe WINS
other chief clerk, aud then across the man wno mas
another chief clerk and finally down Stairs aga
was another chief clerk OF these hve, one WIS
AT his desk one was selecting cartrdgeboxes for squad
of clerks two were talking of the raid ana getting
to 90 out and drill and the fifth was saying eyes right
to twenty thirty standing 10 TWO cfooKou roWs a
mostly looking M stairs The clerks were put on duty
over umberpes and -four barrels and boxes OF clothing
doing guard that the soldiers might be sent 10 the 'front.'
FEELING IN THE CITY.
Every where were many persons upon the streets.
Squads of soldiers marched in every ncomPrehensiDe d
rection Cavarymen rode up and down with much disre.
gard of the price of Orderes gaoped 70 and
from the headquarters Of Gen Augur. few ambulances
Drove off toward Tenalytown Many four wagons
passed loaded with bread great sheets
Numberess army wagons drove up and down with pur-
pose only known to the drivers and nmasers Ihere
was mach stir all day. but no excitement-much ACTIVITY,
but very little apprehension The time OF danger had gone
by Failing to Sunday night, the rebels nad ailed
in using the only opportunity they could have They
might thereafter make opportunity but there was one al
ready for the taking and they neglected to take IT, Inc
street crowded all day Spteiu and passionate
showers of rain frequent. Yet, after ALL the DAY
passed off very quietly 1t generally admitted that
the rebels had done big thing for theH was al
ways added saving clause. They were paying US on
in our own CON- and we proved that could take it with
equanmity
WHAT THE PEOPLE THOUGHT.
What do the rebels meant was the leading question
" They out for plumber, said l, and are trying 70
with formidable front, which, at the proper
time will prove to be only SHELF Yet there were per-
thirty thousand strong and really bent upon making
serious attack upon the city Toward evening IT was re-
ported that the railroad cut above Baltimore Clearly,
the rebels stirring fellows who knew very we'll what
they meant to do and were enough to ahead
and do it in short order Telegraph cut and railroad cut
do they really to throw themselves against the fort
fcatons of the cyf Some and excabe persons
believed but nine tsnths of the people still persisted IN
believing that they had intention OF doing True,
there the force in front of Tenaytown and Seventh
street and there were wounded hospital and dead
lying with cold faces looking upward and stir IN Gov
ernmenta Departments and hurried marching OF many
troops but people would not believe there any seri
GUS trouble ahead.
SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
At the Post Office placard with the inscription,
" No mail-no questions" Brief and to the point, and
every body understood that shut away from the
world at the pleasure Of the rebels. Going to Capitol
Hill found squad of negro urchins vigorously marshal
ing on the sidewalk Now all you fellsrs come long
when say march, said the largest and raggedest of the
lot No follower he you observe, but leader. Stepping
into the grocers told that -four eighteen dol
lars per barrel On Thursday last it only thirteen
Passing the telegraph office, at ten o'clock found the
butters and the lights down. Midnight its hour for
closing PatrUnS up and down 10 front OF the Patent
Oica was slim Ieupd clerk with cartrdge-box belted
around his waist and heavy nua shifting uneasy from
one shoulder to the other Silently up lno 'ehUo
eleven O'Clock marched two regiments from in front
Petersburg In all parts of the city we're groups upon
Ann and fha sid ualko talk
overheard them 10 passing of the raid and the chances OF
battle.
THIRD ACT-TUEsDAY.
Tuesday morning with csmness and sweetness and
the of cannon. Do the rebels really battle,
asked every body The shots not frequent, but they
were shosthat fact clear to the duest
prehensen A few heard about four O'clock and
many more from hafpast FIVE to hslfpast six Let's
the papers The Chronicle had the order of General
Thomas calling ont the militia for thirty days In
it was also "leader" deal more clarion voiced aud
alarming in tone than there occasion for. There was,
her. clear sccount Of the work of the preceding day
So the rebels had got train OF beyond Baltimore,
which Gen FRANKLIN, two Senator's and three
four Representatives Friends of mine intended eav
ing the city that tran but at the last concluded TO-
main and abide the issue. 1t was well. Down town
fam old ctzeus laughing at the farce of calling out the
it;ct m 'ta. The news If the street seemed to make
= r that the he force did not mean attack the
city and would withdra. io' Oo "0 soS iS'Nv " 90
sumo the offensive.
GOING TO THE FRONT.
I went TO the front To Georgetown two miles by
street railway; thence TenallytOwn, three miles on
foot From Georgetown TO Ienaytown it is up hill all
the way Wbrn / walk that road again with a July
which draws the mercury up into the hundreds blazing
down upon my head I'll let you know
1t looked like Sunday in Georgetown. IL always does
except on the Sabbath when the old town puts smart
semhoyday garb and face. Whats the news from the
front I" aske If an ntegent-faced who sat 10
store door smoking big pipe and looking very wise.
Nein neIn!' said he with sad tone. concluded he
wished be left to his pipe aud wisdom asked several
persons what had in from the front but only
learned what ii is to pursue knowledge under difficulties
"We Auntie," said / finally to toothless old negro
woman ia bright yellow turban-" Well, Auntis, what
are the soldiers doing at Tenaytown this morning. 2"
dun know but spect do rebels s mostly runnin' out
inter de kentry an dc Union soers is rnnn srer EN- "
With which entirely satisfactory information proceeded
TO the werk hand met twenty rebel prisoners coming
dirty and ragged Two Of them were boys not six
teen and two of them men over sixty. Only four
Of them looked like hearty and vigorous Most of
them seemed rather glad to be taken prisoners suid the
little corporal Work two three houses suspended
but old negro vigorously engaged in shngng his
cabin Are ut you afraid the rebels will in and
catch YOU Uncle 2" said to him. well, boss guess
they won't" was his answer Ia one field a was
Grading grain. Behind me in the smoky distance lay
Washington quietly between the rivers Around
waving fields and the thousand signs and Of prosper
Gus peace Down the bill Numbered great wagon loaded
with the household goods Of refugee, aud little after
met cattle add negroes fleeing from the enemy Later saw
about dozen Of these frightened families rushing into the
city.
FEELING AND AFFAIRS At the FRONT.
TensIytown was as nervous consequential az though
Il tapcied itself the hub OF the universe" There wasn't
much TO see there however beyond the usual attendants
upon an army There were Jew traders and itineraut