The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1864-02-17

time has elapsed since this meeting held
deem proper that should pass without at least
brief notice, as it was in every respect a. most
markable meeting. On Wednesday evening the Bird
inst. Mr. George HI. Stewart, President of the u s.
Christian Commission. accompanied by w. E. Dodge,
ESQ.,, of New York City, Rev. A. e. Chamberlin, of
Cincinnati Rev. McCabe U. s. v. and Rev's. Matlock
and Mngins of Philadelphia, paid this camp visit
and the result of the most extensive meetings
that have witnessed in the army. After the pre-
lminary proceedings of organizing and opening the
meeting had been gone through with, the gentlemen
mentioned above were introduced and addressed
the audience which had filled the Church to repleton
The remarks of the speakers were listened to with
profound attention and at times produced the utmost
enthusiasm. Chaplain McCabe's remarks, particular
1y when he referred to his prison life in Richmond
received with peculiar interest by the audience,
and greeted with the widest applause He sung The
Battle Hymn of the Republic " as performed in Libby
Prison by prisoners the occasion of the cele-
bration of the Fourth of July 1861 and invited all of
those present who had enjoyed the Inequalities of the
Richmond prisons to rise and join him in the chorus.
More than fifty persons and joined him in sing
ing song with the patriotic melody of which they
had frequently made the loathsoe southern dungeons
resound in the days of their captivity. The effect of
this cannot be described The audience cheered
laughed and wept in almost the same moment. Mr.
Uniac, formerly lawyer of New York city, but at
present private soldier in Uncle Sans SERVICE de-
vered Short but stirring address, the subject of
temperance, which well received.
We noticed among the audience Col. McKelvy post
commandant several members of his staff, Colonel
Browne, President of Board of Examination Surgeon
S. b. Hunt, Medical Director, DIR. G. L. Sutton Exam
lining Surgeon of this camp, and large number
of other officers who seemed to manifest the lveliest
possible interest in the proceedings Although the
meeting Is past and many of those who participated
in its proceedings gone it is to be hoped that the
good impressions which the associations of that
evening created will not be forgotten but produce their
appropriate fruits.
MURDERoUs FREAK OF INsANITY.-On Saturday
evening, 9th inst, man named James Fitzpatrick
confined in Deserters' Camp, committed suicide by
cutting his throat with razor, after having inflicted
several severe, though not dangerous wounds, upon
two other inmates of the tent. He had been
ing transportation to his regiment, which, belonging
to the Twelfth Army Corps, had been transferred to
the Western Department The circumstances of his
situation seemed to have preyed upon his mind to
such extent to cause temporary insanity, while
laboring under fit of which he committed the deed.
He an old man, and leaves wife and three chill
dren in Philadelphia.
SUPERB PRESENTING are indebted to Capt. G. F.
Hoyt u S. A, Commissary of Subsistence at this camp,
for the present of splendid copy of Websters Una
brdged Dictionary Our thankfulness is as inexpress-
ible the work is invaluable to u.s. and the Captain
may rest assured that such donations when contrib
uted to institution devoted to such sacred
as that to which THE SOLDIERS JOURNAL has been
dedicated, will bring their merited reward Again
we thank you Captain, and will show appreciation
of your gift by It's careful preservation and the hon
orable place it shall occupy in our sancum.
EXODUS OF CoNvALEsCENTs.-In accordance with
Especial Orders No. 90" dated "War Department.,
January H. 1854, - which we publish in another column
the transferring of the convaescents from this camp
to General Hospitals began Monday, the Sth 1nst
and continued until all had left. This followed