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--- 1st_michigan_infantry_sources [2019/08/06 12:53]
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+++ 1st_michigan_infantry_sources [2019/08/06 13:01]
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 Loving Friend\\
 D, Stanway
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 U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
+----
+Letter of Abner Van Dyke to the Editor of the //Statesman//
+Camp Michigan,\\
+Annapolis Junction, Maryland,\\
+Dec. 25th, 1861.\\
+Mr. Editor:
+After several unsuccessful attempts. I at length succeeded in obtaining a pass to visit Washington, and left camp at 5 'o'clock A.M., Dec., 16th. It had long been a day dream of mine to visit the Federal City and move around among  er public buildings so full of historic interest. But little did I think one year ago, as sat in my western home reading some favorite speech in Congress, that that wish of mine would so soon be granted—but such are the fortunes
+of war. I stepped from the cars just as the first rays of the morning sun were gilding the lofty dome of the  Capitol, and passed in front of that stupenduous structure — when finished it will be an ornament to our nation and a  it temple for those master-minds who meet and mingle there. As the hour was too early to visit the public buildings, walked leasurely along from one street to another, and at length stopped at a barber shop to be relieved of an uncommon growth of nature's covering. The dextrous little man, of shears and razor, gave me what we soldiers term a   fighting  clip," and after washing and brushing up I fancied I looked well enough to visit Uncle Abe or anybody  else. (I must here inform you we have just drawn our waist suits, which are made of good material, and fit us nicely.) As it was now about nine o'clock. I thought I would visit the War Department. On the way I fell in with a commuicative citizen who kindly offered to show me through the public buildings, and I found him an agreeable companion and a great help through the day. Stopping at a corner where, said he, "is where Sickles' shot Key," and pointed out the tree into which the ball entered after passing through the victim. The tree is now dead and as I gazed upon its withered branches, I could not avoid the reflections which the same suggests to the mind. Thus, thought I, it is with vice and folly. Beauty, health, and vigor vanish and decay before their blighting touch. From the description which I read in the papers at the time, I readily recognized the spot.  The house in the distance from which the "waving handkerchief" was seen, all; all are there, and it is a poor imagination which cannot bring the tragedy again to light. But I drop this from something more worthy, and I trust more interesting to your readers.
+In the park just across the way is the Bronze Statue of Andrew Jackson seated on his war horse. The old hero never looked more war-like in all his life. As I looked upon the horse and his rider, it seemed as if they were going to make a spring in some direction, but alas! "We start, for soul is wanting there."  It is well thus to perpetuate the memory of the good and great. Long may it remain to inspire the heart of the Americans with new courage in the defence of the liberty of his country. The War Department is the smallest and most inferior looking of any of the public buildings, but just now is the grand place of attention. All is bustle and confusion, and no one gains an entrance without special business. After walking round the yard and looking at the various models of tents and blankets—things  which  interest  us soldiers -we started for the "White House," which is hut a few rods distant. I had heard that only Congressmen or other distinguished people could gain an entrance there. But Uncle Abe is a good old fellow and his house is open to all his boys—and such a house, such splendid furniture, carpets, sofas, looking-glasses, chandeliers of dazzling gold—all is so rich and costly, that it makes one proud of his country and fills the soldier's heart with a new resolution to fight manfully for its maintenance.
+We next visited the Patent office, and here my pen fails me, for should I attempt to describe one ten-thousandth of the strange and new which at every turn meets the eye, it would fill many volumes, and I will therefore confine myself to one or two particulars, and leave the reader to his. own reflection. Among the many interesting rooms none is so much so to me, as that which contains the statue of the Father of our country, and those little relics which his grateful countrymen have here collected together. Let me note the articles in their order—First, there is a fragment of the old tent which Washington used during the Revolution. A card is fastened to it on which is written in a plain hand, "A portion of the canopy that sheltered the Father of his country in his country's darkest days." — Blest fragment! you shall be kept sacred by his grateful children; next in order is his traveling secretary, which is a plain, substantial article, and hears marks of service; next the coat he wore when he resigned his commission at Annapolis. It is not as fine or showy as the one I had on—what a contrast between the fortunes of the soldier then and now!  It does seem wicked that any should complain about their clothes or fare and yet they do. There are many other interesting memorials in the same case with his, about which I might speak, but for fear of wearying your readers, I will drop the curtain and ask them to come and see for themselves. As Congress was now open, we started towards the Capitol. First I went into the House; the question seemed the propriety of raising more troops for Kentucky. After gazing on the splendid building, and listening to the debate which was growing pretty warm, we started for the Senate, the great place of interest to me. It is vain to attempt a description of my feelings as I entered the gallery of that "consecrated Hall."  As I looked around me I almost fancied I could see the spirits of the departed great hovering over the place. Alas! how lamentable is the fact that we have lost some of our mightiest men who made their marks upon the age. True, there are some giants in the Senate, hut their number is growing small. I noticed Charles Sumner in his seat and as I looked upon him bent in anxious thought, I was reminded of the brutal assault made upon him by a cowardly ruffian who could not answer his arguments. That kind of thing is not "played out"—the battle ground is no longer the Senate, but the field, and before this contest is settled I trust the chivalry will be convinced that the Northerners are not all cowards. I noticed many vacant seats on one side of each House, and they spoke of "States dissevered, discordant of a land rent with civil fends and drenched in fraternal blood." God grant that this miserable rebellion will soon be quelled, and peace with all her blessings return once more. I would gladly have tarried longer, but my friend admonished for it was nearly car time, and I was forced to leave. After a few moments the train started and in a short time I was again in camp, feeling that I had lived "A Life time in one day." We are now busy building barracks for winter quarters, and everything looks like staying here till spring. The measles are prevailing to some extent among us, and I am a victim with the rest, hut we have a good, comfortable Hospital,  and kind attentive nurses, and are getting along finely. I am still quite weak, and have already written quite enough—so for the present I will hid your readers good day. Yours truly,
+Abner Van Dyke
+Co. E. 1st Michigan Infantry
+And the generations yet unborn, will bless the heroes name: letters and poetry of Abner Van Dyke, 1st Michigan Infantry, 25th Michigan Infantry, U.S. Colored Troops\\
+https://governingmichigan.org/collections/view-item/?DMaliaslist=p16110coll4&DMItem=35
 ----

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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