New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-05
A WOMAN'S MEMORIES.
A PRIvATEER-GENERAL SCoTT-CHARLES
SIMMER


lie was naturally anxious to make his report at
headquarters, and determined to push his way
through TO Washington whatever might be the
difficulties. Hearing of our dilemma, he con-
sented 10 take us under his charge and see us
safely TO Washington or course it was on ex-
ceptional opportunity, and we were delighted to
avail ourselves Of his escort. No troops had
passed through Baltimore since the attack on the
Massachusetts, soldiers and no direct communication
had been received from Washington when we
started. Our friends tried to dissuade us from
the seemingly hazardous journey, but we were too
anxious 10 be at home 10 heed their advice. was
not little elated to find myself one OF Major
Andersons party, with the prospect of being IN
the midst of the excitement and the advancing
troops. After reaching Philadelphia we went to
Peryville, where we embarked on q steamer and
set sail for Annapolis, for at that time Baltimore
and all the intervening railroad were in the hands
Of the rebels There was plenty of excitement
in this memorable trip, for when we neared
Baltimore a vessel appeared in our wake. u
believe she is privateer," exclaimed the captain,
trying TO make her cut. And so she really proved
TO be- Whether 1t was only to intimldate us, or
whether the enemy had actually obtained In
formation concerning the specie which we had on
board and were carrying to Washington, we never
knew but as we were apparently gaining ground
upon her, shot came booming through the air
and then another to bring us to. Our captain,
however, crowded on steam, and we moved
forward at rapid rate while the one cannon-a
small howitzer-was dragged forward and placed
in position. Notwithstanding our intense wish to
see il all. sent below, and the matches
closed; hut tidings were brought to us that we
gaining ground and when our adversary--if
adversary she really was-saw that pursuit was
hopeless she ran up black flag changed her
course and WINS soon out of sight This was
really adventure, and delightful one, although
fortunately nothing came of It, Toward nghtfall
we landed at Annapolis, and General Butler, who
looked strange and warille in the blue uniform OF
a colonel. came forward in the twilight to greet
Major Anderson. Never has there been known
more wonderful regiment than that Massachusetts,
9Th. then guarding the road from Annapolis to
Washington. Composed Of the very pith and
marrow of the fine old New-England State, the
men one and all were equal to every emergency;
and when arriving at Annapolis shortly before,
and finding the railroads destroyed locomotives
taken TO pieces, the parts hidden, and all means
Of transportation apparently impossible, they
quietly set to work to lay the tracks, rebuild the
dismembered engines. and finally to run the trains
themselves. Is there any one here who can
put together this locomotive called out Butler to
affairs. well. now, guess so, Governor" was
the ready response Of one of the privates seeing
as she was built in our shop" Even art and
literature seemed to be equally well represented
in the regiment, for Major Winthrop in describ-
ing it afoerward said that if the words were
given: Poets. TO the 'front.' or Painters, present
arms 'Sculptors, charge bayonets' there would
be ample response"
In the chill dawn of the early spring morning
we arrived at Washington. Major Anderson put
US in a carriage and left us to obtain little
needed rest and refreshment before making his
report to the President and Secretary of War;
and we were driven at once to our hotel in the
SQUARE. Here great change awaited us. The
park in front of the hotel had been turned into
an encampment for the New-York 18th Regiment
commanded by Colonel Butterleld; and orr rooms
looked out on the white tents of the soldiers.
ranged with symmetrical exactneSs The Colonel's
headquarters were in the middle of the square,
and in the clear space in the centre were
continually drilling and manoeuvring, and the
daily dress parade every afternoon a constant
delight and excitement to US. Washington itself
was a vast military camp. The streets were
swarming with soldiers, and troops were quartered
everywhere. One of our first visits after our
return was to the Capitol. which seemed like
large military fortress In the great rotunda
quantities Of soldiers were bivouac1ed stacks of
arms were placed everywhere. and sentinels were
pacing their rounds in every direction. The base
ments were filed with rations for the troops and
up through the little welike rotunda that
leads TO the Supreme Court rooms came the COM
Portable smell of baking bread-for the vaults
under the terrace had been converted into one
great bakery. Thousands upon thousands of
loaves Of bread were distributed every day among
fba falt
! recolected that my father hal exclaimed over
the price Of -four when the last grocer's bill had
come in before we left Ohio. / knew in a vague
sort of way that he had to provide money TO
feed all these people, and / asked him about it
when we reached home. He tried to explain 10
me a little about finance and how the Government
raised its resources, but it all seemed quite incom-
prehensibe and l only felt, when he had finished
that glad at all events that he could pay
for all that bread.
Shortly before dusk, one July day, my father
called me to fetch my hat and drive with him to
General Scott's. There had been rumors of some
decisive move on the part of our troops, and my
heart fairly thrilled with excitement as l heard
the talk of coming battle. Delighted therefore
with the opportunity of seeing the Commander-in-
Chief, was ready, and few minutes drive
brought us to headquarters. As we entered the
room, lined with books and Uttered with maps,
the grand, leonine figure of the old man rosa up
to greet US; it was one impressive enough, GER
tainly, to suit any ones idea of the General of
the Army Nearly if not quite six feet four inches
in height, with frame massive in proportion, he
dwarfed the tallest man by contrast, and remem-
her feeling, that afternoon, half-angry that the
six feet Of my father showed TO such disadvantage.
lie and Mr. Chase were soon in earnest converse
ton with open map between them. / think l
see the grand-looking old hero now, sitting oppo-
site my father, his large form bending slightly
forward in his esrnestness, his cold, clear eyes
cleaning under his shaggy eyebrows. Both men
quite forgot the child who sat in the fastgather-
ing darkness, tired out with waiting, and seeing
in half-dream tile moving regiments tramp,