Year: 1861




Nc,er' Editors # n, Free Press;


You observe my letters still date from Camp
Lyon, though for full week past all active oper
ations Of the regiment have been across the iiver
The tents are still here. They have built bowers
on the other side which do very well when it does
not rain. The position has been christeucd
Camp Advance" Gen. Smith made rather sum
mary arrangements with "secesh" family. which
lived near by, TO take quarters in Washington
while be occupied their houfe for Headquarters
Tho house is rickety oil thing, as is the case
with most Of the houses in this country in
camp it is a perfect palace The furniture which
was left in the house is found to be very eonve-
nicrt. The out-bouses, too, though most Of them
are nearly ready to tumble down, have been found
very useful One has been appropriated to the
Commissary Department another is used for
guard house, another for blacksmith shop &c.


The fcrt-called Fort Smith, in honor of our
BTigadier-is now nearly completed. This fort is
built by cutting trench sad throwing the dirt
inwardly, thus forming a high and substantial
bresstwoTk The trench is then barrcaded out
wardly with treetops, placed butts towards the
trench, and so interviewer and fastened in place
as TO present an impossible brrier. T. storm it
successfully, except with an overwhelming force
and at fearful cost, is quite impossible. No heavy
size guns have yet been mounted, but there are
plenty Of the Parrot and brass field pieces, 10,
20 and S2-pounders, TO give the rebels warm
ccp;ion, should they venture ia this direction.
The trees have been cut away SO that it commands
the opposite shore Of the Potomao for a consdcra-
bic distance. The trees have almost entirely dis
appeared from this point, which is mile above
the bridge to point a mile below the bridge,
where similar work is rapidly progressing.
The President reviewed the works this afternoon.


Prof. Lowe is now here with his balloon. He
designed to make a reconnaissance from Fort Smith
about sunset, but was unable to get his balloon
across the river in


sismhes hav cont to be quite frequent be-
tween scouting parties Of the opposite forces Last
night two occurred at different points, where, in
the aggregate, some eight ten of the rebels
we're killed and rounded, two prisoners and two
horses taken, with the loss of only one on our
side-a member of the 10th n. Y. regiment.


You have already noticed the sentence of death
passed upon Wm. Scott for sleeping picket
guard--also his pardon by the President The
case was a plain one-he was unquestionably
guilty Of the charge, and under the articles of
war, worthy a death. But must he necessarily
be shot? or sentenced to bo shot because
that the letter Of the law If the letter of the
law is SO sacred why not try it on few of the
Baltimore and Washington traitors, or JEFF Davis
pirates? This would seem much more consistent
than TO begin with well meaning volunteer, who
has given his all to his country, but who, unluck
! lily, with only two three nights unbroken rest
in the week, at the same time having but little
lief duty during the day, yields to natures impe-
rious demands and sleeps when he should keep
awake. But it is said, it is a serious thing-the
lives of many are to be saved by vigilance, or en-
dsngered by lack of it. True, but are there not
punishments which would answer the purpose
| equally well 1t seems me there are, and that
the death penalty should be resorted TO only where
everything else has failed. This may be a mis-
! taken view OF the case-but it is unquestionaby
the popullr view, and it is not safe generally to
deal roughly with popular views. especially when
they have their ground in popular sympathy, and
when the success Of our cause depends on the ebb
or flow OF the popular tide. P