Year: 1861

w AShiNoION, H, 1901.


Our Washington prophets, some of them wise,
but most of them otherwise, have begun to haz-
ard thousand random predictions rs 10 the va
rious stages of the coming war and its ultimate
bearing upon the future of the country. There
is no doubt of the result,-that the North, with
her vast resources, her larger population, and
with the prestige Of holding the affirmative po-
sitlon of sustaining the established Government.
will WIN an easy victory but much disparity
OF opinion exists in regard to the time required.
Many are too willing to depreciate their enemy,
as our enemy depreciates US. Nothing can be
more certain than that they will make desper
ate resistance, prompted on the part of the
masses, by the carefully instilled opinion that
the North seeks by force to destroy their insti-
tutions, and prompted on the part of the leaders
by the consciousness that for them to Weld is
utter ruin to themselves. And thus we expect
to meet foe, weak in everything necessary to a
prolonged war, but full of rash courage, and per.
haps under more perfect discipline than the
raw recruits of the North. Hence our prophets
have created in Washington very prevalent
opinion, that in the first contest, the superior
military education and reckless courage of the
Southerners is to give them a victory.


The evils Of such an event would be to prolong
the contest to long and bloody war only with
out in the least changing its inevitable termina-
tion. And therefore the acknowledged policy Of
Gen. Scott is, by the severe discipline of the
troops (some six hours spent each day in drill.
ling) and by the accumulation of an immense
force, to place the result Of the first blow be.
yond contingency, and thus to make the war
speedy and sure.


| In the end. the general sentiment is that the
war, far from being curse, will be blessing,
| for it will settle forever the troublesome oues-
tions which have continually harassed us, and
put an end to Southern domination. The Sla-
very question is not issue involved at all, and
the determination is to leave it out now and for
the future. These are the opinions of several
distinguished Congressman, who consequently
view the war with much equanimity.


There is very little news stirring. Soldiers
continue to arrive, and are quartered in the
suburbs Of the city. We are thus surrounded
|
camps. and strange to say, the city maintains 9
higher degree of order than ever before. In the
camps all is life, and the troops are well salts
fed as could be expected. Sunday is passed
generally with them as day of great serious
ness Usually some Clergyman from Washing
ton or their several Chaplans conduct religion:
services The Bible Societies have also distri
buted Bibles and posted tracts in the most pub
lie places of the encampments.


Major General Butler has been here attracting
considerable notice. He is man Of perhaps
forty years old, but looks much younger ;-rathel
below than above the middle height, but Of very
stout build of fair complexion, and light hair
wearing heavy moustache but no beard


Inc hrst Impression the observer obtains OF hin
is OF man considerably self-willed and ALSO


iutely independent need hardly say that HI
is idolized by the army. X. o. \.