The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-02-25
"reminiscences of the War
BY AN OLD SOLDIER.

received that two large steam transports were
awaiting us at the wharf above chain bridge,
and our regiment formed in columns by pla-
toons and moved over Capitol Hill to Pennsyl-
vania Avenue, thence down the Avenue to near
the White House and thence to the river. Be-
fore leaving our quarters near the Capitol we
drew and filled our haversacks with what, to us,
seemed rather coarse fare, to-wit: huge chunks
OF boiled salt pork and loaves OF wheat bread
We were naturally somewhat dainty in our no
tions, as we had led pampered lives, for SOL
diers, during our service in Baltimore. II was
hard for us to come down to such "grub, but,
at the risk of outrunning my story, will here
state that many time thereafter we fell into
blssful reveres, contemplating in memory the
unctuous contents of our haversacks on this
occasion.
AS our column passed the Senate wing OF the
capitol, the boys on the right began cheering,
and those farther down the column, noticing
the cause, took it up, and the cheers became
roar, which was accompanied by the waving OF
of hats. This was in hearty greeting OF Presi-
dent Lincolil who stood, in company with sew
eral other gentlemen, on one Of the balconies.
bowing, with uncovered heads, to the troops as
they passed. Probably no man at that time had
a warmer feeling OF friendship for faithful IN
ion soldiers than did Mr.. Lincoln, and, whether
they were general officers or privates in the
ranks, the way to his heart was equally clear
and unbarred. AS we passed from the avenue
on toward the river we met an ambulance tram,
Just coming from the transports We were about
to take, loaded with wounded soldiers who were
passing northward to help fill the hospitals
Many Of these, with pale faces bore the bleed
ing and hastily dressed stump OF an amputated
| leg or arm. BY three o'clock we were on board
the transports and moving down the river,
through the draw in the long bridge, past Afk-
andria, and so on TO our destination. At this
date the seat Of war was at the Wilderness, and
the nearest route thereto was via Aqua Creek
and Fredericksburg. Belle Plain, near the
mouth OF AQUA Creek and about 80 miles from
Washington, was then the location OF the base
of supplies for the Union army, and to that
point we were bound.
AS we passed down the river the city OF
Washington was soon hidden from view by the
intervening hills, but long afterward the grand
dome OF the capitol loomed against the sky over
the hill tops, phantom like.
The steamers were loaded down with our
men,-almost every available inch OF room on
the upper and lower decks being occupied; and
glance over the crowd OF men sitting, stand
ing and lounging about, showed grouping to-
gether OF curious and diverse elements. 1t is
probably true that no army ever organized was
precisely similar to our volunteer army in the
War OF the Rebellion. Every business and soca
grade was represented, and often they we're al
grouped in one regiment. Standing, for in
stance, by the piIot-house OF one Of these trans.
ports, and looking over the deck load OF men
there could be seen young men from the union
schools OF western New York, also from the
farms, stores and shops. Many Of them had
fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters at home
who were watching their course in the army
who felt proud Of them and their record, who
were in correspondence with them, and who al
the home fresde we're accustomed to read theil
letters to neighbors and friends gathered in tC
hear of the absent boy in the army. Many gray
headed men were there, some or whom hat
seen service in other wars IN this country ant
Europe; and many, also, who were, at home
social autocrats; and ruffians, whose mora
natures were stunted or had never existed
Some were engaged In reading recent lette
from home, somewhere playing "lttle game o.
draw some we're taking a comfortable smoke
and gazing vacautly at passing objects, while
others, like good boys, (only few, however,
were reading their bibles. There was an,
amount OF hilarity and cranky good natur,
among the men, and good deal Of vociferoui
singing Of coarse songs.
About ten miles from Washington we passec
Mount Vernon, the bells OF both steamers toll
ing as we passed, as is the custom. We coulC
see but little OF the plantation and buildings
however, on account OF the dense thicket o
bushes and scrub trees lining the bank.
Nearly opposite Mt Vernon is Fort Washing
ington. This is an imposing structure, built o
stone, from the river bed high enough for thre
tiers Of casematss. 1t has also one tier OF gun
mounted en- barbette. 1t was built before tn
study OF the science OF war had developed tn
fact that dirt forms breastwork much superio
to brick stone, as concentrated artillery fir
on wall OF the latter material will soon effec
a breach, and then it is an easy matter to de
molish the wall; but shot or shell will bur
itself in q dirt parapet and do no harm. Tn
bombardment and reduction of Ft. Pickens, o.
the North Carolina coast, during the war, b
Gen. Gilmore's artillery, think, is an instanc
{ ir proof of this. The fire OF several battere
was concentrated on one point on the the Fac
Of the brick wall OF the fort. After effecting
l. breach it was a short matter. and comparativel
easv, to make a ruin Of the fort. The confed
crate forces garrlsoning the fort suffered Sc
verely from the flying brick and mortar.
At Belle Plain there were two large can,
barges anchored beside the low, swampy shor,
and these served as wharves over which govern
ment vessels loaded and unloaded their cargoe,
number OF other barges and river schooner
belonging to the government or the sanitar
and christian commissions, were moored nes
by, and the little muddy river mouth had live
: lv appearance.