The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-05-31

NOTES ON A TRIP TO THAT CITY.

Wednesday of last week was my first
ride ON the Baltimore Il Potomac Rail
road and certainly it runs through the
poorest section of Maryland. Nearing
works erected during the wal are seen
still standing. which forcbly recalled
that hot, dusty July day. 1864. on which
gold rose highest when two divisions of
the gallant Sixth Corps were hurried
front to the defense of Washington. The
route was out Seventh street to Fort
fusion. Il prominent physician being kill
ell Oh the fort beside Mr.. Lincoln. Be
ing hungry and tired. it was determined
to have a cup of coffee before charging
the woods occupied by the Rebs. Stakes
were set and many living in Cecil to-day
can testify that bubbles arose in that
coffee not made by boiling. but by the
minnie balls from the sharpShooterS be-
You'd. Indeed. SO hot did it become that
the coffee had to be abandoned. and fall
i'll. charge bayonets took its place. Just
at the edge of the woods the Gray backs
We're found. who We're heard to exclaim:
- We uns thought you uns were i'll Viz
ginny; how com d you here" The fight
was of short duration. Blair'S house be
ing fired by the shells. 1t was filled with
the wounded of both sides, and finding
it impossible to put out the fire. it took
lively work to haul out blue and gray
alike, and even 4 number of the gray
were captured who We're assisting in the
work. The JollnnieS soon put distance
between them and the Capital was saved.
leading cabinet officer said to me that
the tramp tramp of the old veterans that
day was the most welcome sound he ever
heard as their slow. measured tread was
heard moving to the scene of action over
the streets OF Washington. knowing that
on them alone depended the safety of the
Nation Capital. as that body of disci-
plined ConiederateS would have scattered
the militia as chat. and with Washing
ton i'll their possession. the Southern
Contederacy recognized by the world, its
success would have been assured
On arriving in the city and wishing to
see the workings of the Departments. we
first went to the Surgeon General. The
stern old soldier said it would afford him
pleasure to comply with the request. but
thousands of such requests made it inn
possible. We replied that but one resort
was left. that to see the friend of the
soldier. our townSnan. Hon. John \. J.
Creswell who would do all that lay in his
power to aid us. At the mention of his
name the stern features relaxed and
he pleasantly asked did Mr.. {. ask
that grant your request - No. sir:
but he will. and at : o'clock the next
morning We were at the residence Of Mr..
Creswell, one of the most beautiful there.
and We're kindly received. While the
necessary letter was being prepared we
had an opportunity of seeing his valua-
BILE library. which is the finest private
library we have ever seen. As soon as
possible we again presented ourselves to
the Surgeon General, who had granted
our request the same evening We We're
there. and after a very pleasant CONVERSE
ton of several minutes, we started for
the Adiutant Generals office. and on pre-
senting the letter of introduction were
shown the greatest kindness and our re-
quest was granted at once. 1t needs no
other proof of the esteem and regard fol
Mr.. CreSwell in Washington than the
manner in which those are treated who
are introduced by him and to no one do
the soldiers owe more for such help and
assistance as can only come from one of
position and influence than to Mr.. Crcs-
we'll
Our next call was on Senator Groome.
and we were met with the same unre-
served kind reception as is his wont to
give i'll his native town. and he has our
warmeSt thanks for his gentlcmanly co,lr-
tesy to us. and many We're the compli-
mcnts paid the young Senator that came
to our ears there. and Cecil will yet have
reason to be proud of him. the mean
taunts of the Baltimore .lmerirdn and
other papers to the contrary notwith-
standing, for | do know that they did
him great injustice and perverted the
true facts in relation to his late speech in
the Senate and while | differ from Mr..
Groome Us to the sentiments uttered.
believe it but just to state that he con-
scientiously uttered what he believed to
be true in digniiied. able manner. Such
is the testimony of his political oppo-
nents in Washington. W.