Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-05-16
FROM WASHINGTON.
issue.
GCorrespondenca OF the Alexandria GaEette,I
WASHINGTON, May 16.

w ARLINGTON, May 10.
r representative Walker, OF Virginia,
was at the White House to-day and
presented sons of Gen. Pickett, who
made the famous charge at Gettysburg,
and of Gen. Longstreet, who are anx-
ious for staff appointments. The Pres.
ident gave the two young men assur-
ance that they doubtless would be pro-
vided for. The President told Mr..
Walker, who has offered his services for
the war, that if he continued to Insist
on going he would give him command
il possible.
The First Corps of the army, which
is to be modified near Falls Church,
Va, will be commanded by Msjor-
General W. M. Graham. Major-Gen.
eral James n. Wilson will command
the Sixth Corps, at Chickamauga,
Tenn, and Msjor. General Fitzhugh
Lee will command the Seventh Corps,
also at Chickamauga.
Among the visitors at the Capitol to-
day was Colonel Edward Daniels, OF
Gunston, Virginia. The Colonel says
he offered to enlist as a private. in the
army in the West, but was excluded
on account of age, but that he is not
excluded from official rank on that
account. He hasn't high opinion OF
the efficiency of the Secretary of War.
The impression is growing stronger
here that though the Secretaries OF
War and of the Navy may be very good
men, they are at present not the right
men in the right place, and that such
victories as the country shall win in
the present war will be due to the COM
manders Of the separate armies and
naval squadrons.
The capital of the national bank at
Slaunton, Virginia, has been reduced
one half. AS the bank cannot lend its
money except on gilt edge security, and
as few people can offer that now, it has
no use for the present amount of its
capital.
A large number OF people visited the
soldiers camp near Falls Church yes
terday. Frank Fields, of Alexandria
county, has the canteen there, and
Leida Merry, of Fairfax, transported
the visitors from Falls Church to the
camp, both doing large and profitable
business.
The term of the present collector of
the port of Petersburg will expire in
about two weeks. The Office is worth
about 81, 100. Among those applying
for it are VIM. Malone, Asa Rogers and
negro named A. ". Harris. Con-
gresham Thorp, from that district, says
he thinks it probable that the former
will get it.
Representative Swanson says the
election case in which he is the contes
tee will certainly come up on Thursday
next.
General Groner of Norfolk is here
to-day, also Mr.. Bowden, collector OF
the port OF that city. The members OF
the republican executive committee OF
Virginia are expected here this even
ing. 1t is understood they will con-
slider the proposition made to them by
the Lamb committee for bringing the
two wings of the party together. Col.
McCaull, talking about the matter tor
day, said there was nothing for the
two wings to do in order to get togeth'
or now, except to agree to unite upon
congressional candidates in all the dis
| tr c.s aud that as the wing to which he
belonged was broad in its policy, he
didn't see why the other wing, who
have all the Offices, should keep up tie
difference any longer.
The tobacco men had o meeting at
the Ebbitt House here to-day and de-
termined to make further efforts before
the Senate to have the tax of sixteen
cents pound on their products re-
Giic,eed-
Il is repo-ted here that the govern
ment has leased he grounds of the St.
Asaph race track, near 1Atilexandris, for
breaking-in place for the uISHroRen
mules it is buying in the West for use
at the mobilization camp near Falls
Church.
Seventy thousand volunteers have
now been mustered into service and
the larger portion of them are ready to
start Immediately for the mobilizing
points. A great many are already on
their way and from now on there will
he steady stream of soldiers travelling
across the country and toward the
gulf until the entire movement has
been completed. The changes in the
assignment of many of the volunteers
as originally determined upon has caus-
ed more or less confusion and q large
number of Senators and Representa-
tives were at the War Department to.
day endeavoring to ascertain the pre-
else status of the troops OF their States
and to see that their equipments and
transportation were provided for. The
fifteen thousand or more troops who
are to be concentrated at Washington
will be commanded for the present by
Brig Gen Franc /. Guenther. General
Guenther has just been promoted from Colo.
mel of the Fourth Artillery. His assignment,
however IS only temporary and for the pur
pose of putting the soldiers in q thoroughly
organized condition General Guenther is
now cOmmandant at the Washington Bar
racks, and will take the place to which Sena-
tor Sewell, of New Jersey, was originally as
signed. The regiment of infantry which the
District of Columbia will furnish to the VOL
unteer army is nearly all mustered in. Come of
them are now encamped across the Potomac
river in Virginia, and as soou as the entire
regiment is ready all will leave for Chicka-
manga, where tho greater portion of volun-
teers are to concentrate.
The Secretary of the Navy has prepared
deficiency estimate Of over $20.000,00O for
ordnance, equipment construction, etc of
the navy. 1t may be submitted to the House
to-day.
People from Leesburg here to-day say that
Mr.. Chas P. McCabe Of that town was found
i -, bod ardo