Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-21

vemently discovered. As the master was not
alIoweu 70 make search throughout the prem
lses anu as the troops were ever ready 10 aid
me might've fleeing for liberty il was seldom
'i'''' save was returned to his master.
CAPTURING SUPPLIES.
snort while after reaching this city large
Quantity Of -four was captured en- route from
'ne Georgetown mills to Alexandria, Va. which
latter city was then in possession of the con-
leuera.es- vehicles of all descriptions we're
peseu INTO service to haul this Hour. and. In
au1 i thereto we--the volunteers-aided by
roinng the barrels through the streets. This
ha'tsr service was discontinued after many Of
,he barrels were burst and their contents dis
riDuted along the pavements of PENNSYLVANIA
avenue. ne -four was stored in the several de-
Pariment buildings. and some of h l think was
stored I'm the lower part of the White House.
Dnrlng our first days at the arsenal baker
used 70 come there and trade us a pound of
baked bread for three-quarters Of a pound of
hour. As we never weighed the bread sup
pose he strictly fulfilled his bargain. The COL
ored women in the city did the laundry work
and prescribed for us certain remedies to de-
stroy the noted camp pest" which now filled
our hair and bodies Mercurial ointment for
our hair and strong I've for our clothes was
mich in demand in our first DAYS battle with
these insects. but soon learned better and
calmly decided to let them bite and be
burned
The troops Of which | was a member were
not assigned regimental number until after
we were CHARTERED at the arsenal. Great was
the indignation of both officers and men when
Col Henry l.. Cake. our new regimental COM
niander. conveyed the information that hence
lorth and forever we were to be known the
twenty-hfth Pennsylvania volunteers. 1t was
hoped the regiment to which We were assigned
would be known as the first regiment. Why it
was named the twenty-fifth instead of the first
L have never learned.
DAYS OF PERIL AND CONFUSION.
Much interesting matter could be written of
the early history of our late struggle, embrace
ing the preparations for war in this city during
that period. The little band of first defend
ers saw much of it. This sleepy city of mag
nlhcent distances and Undiscovered streets
was quickly aroused from its slumbers. The
inspiring fife and drum and martial tread Of
the boys in blue ceased neither dsy nor
night. During these times the natural divis-
ions OF day from night was forgotten; the
holy Sabbath was for those removed from the
seat of war; the driver cracked mis- whip: the
blacksmith struck his anvil and the carpenter
ms man al the same on Sunday. Emergen-
cles OF sudden. grave and great import were
met and disposed o.. mighty host were
provided with means of offense and defense.
The enemy was to be separated from the friend.
The depleted finances of our government
needed replenishing. How and BY whom the
|
Miracles were wrought to bring q nation Of
peace face to face with the bloody specter of
war.
fully agree with Mr.. VIM. F. Mccoy your
correspondent in the issue of the 18th instant
that :" 1t would be an act of long-deferred JUS
tlee to give to the first arrivals including the
District militia and the sixth Massachusetts)
some hitting medal or other testimonial as an
evidence that their services were appreciated
by generous and patriotic people.
They cld not wait for and neither were they
entlced to give their syrvices for a generous
bounty from either individual state or federal
authorities. but were ready and marched be-
fore the echoes Of Fort Sumters guns had died
on the air
few more moons and who shall tell the tale
now untold.
Upon inspection Of the printed records Of
the War Department find my name is regis
tered as James E. Mcdonald. .
Seven cities mourned the Homer dead
Through which the living Homer begged his bread g"
JAMES j. MCDONALD.