The Portland daily press., 1865-04-11
Letter Spm the "Old Dominion
DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,

Fortress Monroe, April 5, 1865.
TO the Editor Of the Press:
ReioiciugS over the downfall of Richmond
and successes of the Union arms universally,
have already pervaded every city, town and
hamlet OF this glorious old Union; and heart
felt thanksgiving to the Great Ruler aud Dis
poser OF ratlons has arisen from every loyal
heart "Babylon Is fallen, is falien~ The
last stronahold Of rebellion is in possession of
our victorious army. The arch tiend OF trea-
son flies precipitately from his capital before
the ministers OF justice "eut in ebony" can fix
their strong grasp upon him. Truly must he
realize, with tear and trembling" that the
soul o. Old john Brown is 'still marching
onY The svenger is on his track, and his
infamous career will soon be run. The blood
of slaughtered thousands, slain through his
perfidy, cries from the ground for justice; and
although he may escape deserved halter, the
execrations OF all mankind will follow him to
a dishonored grave. History will award him
lower depth of infamy than that secured by
Judas lscarlOt, or even the first rebel, so faith
fully Initiated, who was so summarily pitched
over the battlements OF Paradise at the wind
ing up Of the first great rebellion.
1t Is unnecessary for me to give the details
of tie recent onward movement, as the tele-
graph will have given you all "news" long be-
fore the slow coach OF written communica-
ton can be made available. May we not with
confidence look forward to the time as not far
distant when we can all "go marching home,p
with the satisfaction of knowing that the re-
bellion is crushed and the Union saved? That
indeed viii be happy day to the thousands
who, for so many weary months, have t0iled
and suffered TO sustain the honor and integri-
ty of the inheritance bequeathed to us by our
fore(a,hers; and the "dear ones at home'> will
accord TO us all hearty and joyous welcome.
No era now aniOVinO the most lovely sOrinO O
weather: the fruit trees are in blossom, and
carly vegetables begin to grace our tables.
Al The close of the rebellion the State oi
VIRGINIA will assume position in the sister
hood M States tar more important than she
ever occunied under the rule OF the "lOvers OF
the lash y An infusion of Yankee enterprise
and skill will soon develope agricultural re-
sources never dreamed of by the slayeholdiDg
and slave-breeding aristocracy OF ls.sunny
cline. During a recent trip up tne James, 70
our then extreme front-Withn five or SIX
miles OF Richmond, where we obtained q
view of the rebel city-we could not heip re-
marking the startling contrast presented ID
comparison with the country bordering on
our own n bic rivers in the free states. From
this point to Richmond there are no villages
worthy OF note; aud the country, with excep-
tional "openings," and cultivated plantations,
Is covered with forests of pine, unmolested by
the woodlands axe, Wherever our troops
have been located the forests have been cut,
and the timber used for codoroy roads. bridges,
camps, fuel &c. The Transportation business
on the river was never more brisk than at
present, and as we now occupy Richmond,
aud the territory rouud about, we NAV soon
expect to witness sinternal Improvement on
o magnificent scale.
noticed in a recent number of the Press,