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-Unknown paper, Quiner Scrapbooks Correspondence of the Wisconsin Volunteers, 1861-1865
+//Wisconsin Daily Patriot//, September 7, 1861\\
+Quiner Scrapbooks Correspondence of the Wisconsin Volunteers, 1861-1865
 From the Fourth Regiment.
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+//Evergreen City Times//, September 6, 1861
-<figure label>
+Our Army Correspondence.
-{{:{{ :4th_wisc_inf:evergreen-city-times-sep-06-1861-p-2.jpg?600 |img}}
-<caption>evergreen-city-times-sep-06-1861</caption>
+Letter from the Fourth Regiment.
-</figure>
+CAMP RANDALL, MD.,\\
+August 28, 1861.
+FRIEND ROSS: Here we are yet, stationed on the summit of Mount Pisgah; stationary in reality, but in motion as respects our division and department. We are now in Gen. McClellan's division. He is now in command of Gen. Dix' division, Gen. Banks' column and Gen. Rosesncranz' command, in addition to his own army in Virginia. We are now, as far as paper can transfer us, transferred to the Grand Army of Virginia. This utmost activity prevails in forwarding troops to Washington. Eight Regiments passed through here in 24 hours, one day last week.
+I am rejoiced to hear that Wisconsin is doing her duty, in supporting Fremont in the valley of the Mississippi. It is the only way in which this rebellion can be crushed. The people must arise in their might, and stake their all as a willing sacrifice upon the altar of American Liberty, if they would preserve inviolate that glorious Constitution which we have ever held sacred as being the richest boon ever inherited by a heavon-favored people, and as being the great bulwark of free institutions. Have we so degenerated from the patriotism of our Fathers that we cannot uphold the glorious structure which they reared at the cost of treasure, suffering, blood, and thousands of lives? Will we claim to be the sons of heroic sires, and sit still comfortably at home while traitor hands are busy in wresting from us all that we hold dear for ourselves, and hope to transmit to our posterity? If this rebellion is successful, it is but the beginning of the end. It will add our beloved country to the list of nations the inscription of whose ruin is, They wore, but they are not! In crushing this rebellion every energy must be aroused, every never strung; every man must put shoulder to the wheel; thousands of lives must be sacrificed, millions of treasure expended, homes made desolate and the voice of wailing be heard through the length, and breadth of our land. In contemplating these results many among us shrink from the task, try to shirk the responsibility and cry peace, peace. Peace is very desirable and most devoutly wished for by all, but desirable as it may be, and pleasing to contemplate, let us consider the price at which it is to be bought. Shall it be by dismembering, breaking up and destroying our Republican Government and institutions? Shall it be by bowing our heads and kneeling in the dust to the slave oligarchy? Shall it be by surrendering the Freeman's scepter, the elective franchise, and the accompanying right of the majority to rule? Shall it be by [...] of felons and traitors? All this and much more is held as the price of peace by those who are in armed rebellion against the Government. Are we ready to pay for it? We must either do it or put forth our utmost strength and sustain the hands of the Administration, and thus bring this war to an honorable and speedy termination. Though it may cost blood and treasure, I believe every patriot will choose the latter method of securing peace.
+Our position here is comfortable - our living good - health very good - and we are contented, and as happy as circumstances will admit.
+One night last week, about nine o'clock, 5 shots were fired in the direction of the Relay House, which was the signal by which the guard were to alarm the camp in case of an attack. In an instant all was activity and commotion. In less than five minutes every man was under arms. Every man turned out; cooks, guard sick and lame; all eager for a fight. Each man was furnished with 20 rounds of ball cartridges and caps, and a good proportion of them had revolvers and bowie knives. While this was going on the Colonel had mounted his horse and proceeded towards the Relay to find out the cause of the alarm. When we found, much to our chagrin, that it was a regiment going through to Washington. Our guard cheered them, when five of the soldiers fired off their guns, for a salute. The Colonel expressed his perfect satisfaction at the eagerness of the men and hoped that he could soon have a chance to gratify their ambition.
+Next morning our pickets brought in two citizens which they caught stealing peaches. There had been several complaints made by the inhabitants about the abuses committed by the soldiers in robbing orchards, breaking down the trees, &c., and the Colonel had talked pretty strongly to the pickets. So they marched those chaps into camp, each with a bad, the two containing about three bushels of peaches. An eager crowd immediately gathered around them and followed them to the Colonel's tent, where the peaches were deposited and the culprits marched to the guard house. When the Regiment formed for battalion drill, the following general orders were read by the Adjutant: That the prisoners be marched at the head of the Battalion to and from the drill ground with the peaches on their backs, escorted by the servants, waiters, &c., of the camp armed with broomsticks, and such other weapons as they might select; that at 3 o'clock P. M., there shall be a court martial consisting of the 8th corporals of each company; which order was duly executed. They were marched nearly to miles to the drill ground amid the shouts of the soldiers and the jeers of the citizens, whose verdict was, "served them right." It produced the most fun we have had in camp in some time. They were sentenced to return the peaches that night to the owner, guarded by the pickets that captured them. It has a good tendency, relieving our camp of the stigma of abuses that citizens were committing in our name.
+Yesterday the Regiment was vaccinated, which is a precaution well taken, as the Small Pox is raging furiously in the enemy's camp only a few miles distant.
+Yours, &c.,\\
+L. C. BARTLETT.
+The 4th Regiment Going to Washington.
+[From our Occasional Correspondent.]
+CAMP RANDALL, NEAR RELAY HOUSE\\
+IN MARYLAND, Aug. 30, 1861.
+H. N. ROSS - DEAR SIR: Perhaps you are at a loss to know why I have not written in so long a time; but as nothing of any great importance has transpired that was not immediately reported to you, I did not deem it necessary to repeat any facts or incidents related by by others.
+As regards the whereabouts of this, the 4th Wisconsin Regiment, it is needless for me to give any information, for I believe its encampment near the famous Relay House, is no secret to any one in Wisconsin. But its removal to Washington, where it will join the Wisconsin 2d, 5th, and 6th, and with those regiments form a Brigade, (as I am informed to be under General King,) which will take place in a few days, as we were informed last night by a telegraphic despatch from our Colonel, H. E. Paine, who went to Washington to accomplish what he has so nobly done, may not be so generally known to your readers, yet it is in fact pure truth, and you and all the friends of the 4th will do well to direct your letters to Washington, as our departure in a very few days for that place is a fixed fact. Last night after the roll call "Capt. Gray" announced the news to Company C, who were indeed pleased with the change, as they say they did not go into service to guard Rail roads and Bridges forever, however dangerous and important that may be, but a desire to be placed in front of the fire where they can have a chance to do for their country what they have so long wished for.
+I hope next time you hear from a battle you will hear more encouraging news than heretofore, and when you hear from one of the 4th again, it will undoubtedly be after a hot fight, in which I hope they will give a good account for themselves.
+The boys are, with the exception of a very few, in good health and spirits, and since the news of our departure was re-[...] and whistling going on in the camp.
+There are only three members of Company C in the Hospital now, who were very sick when taken there, but are rapidly recovering. The Sheboygan boys stand the hardships of a soldier's life better than their friends expected they would. In fact not one of them has been in the Hospital yet, though it has been visited by a number of the strongest members of our Company, who are all doing well now and full as strong as ever.
+It is about breakfast time, and I judge from the odors floating around that our cook managed to get us a good breakfast; of that, however, I can judge better after tasting his luxuries. I must hasten to perform this interesting duty, after which, those who are not on guard, cooks and all, must "fall in," for battalion drill. During the few days we remain here, this will be our principal camp duty. You will excuse this short letter till you hear from me or some other member of Company C in camp.
+Send your paper as often as possible. I suppose, and in fact I am convinced, that you send us papers every week, which, as well as some letters from our friends, never reach us.
+Yours,
+G. W.
+{{ :4th_wisc_inf:evergreen-city-times-sep-06-1861-p-2.jpg?linkonly|}}
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 GEORGE
 //George Walter Durgin's Civil War Letters, 1861-1864//
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+Letter of Daniel Maxson to his Cousin
+Relay House near Baltimore, Maryland
+September 23d 1861
+My Dear Cousin Hattie,
+You may be assured that I was greatly pleased at the reception of your good letter the other day. True, I have but little leisure, but I will take a few moments to talk with you.
+You spoke of my bereavements. Oh my cousin! Sod has taken away my darlings. I tread alone the weary walks of life. My noble, talented affectionate wife and my beautiful baby are sleeping under the violets and they will come to me no more. Oh, it is so lonely, lonely without them. Harriet, you have seen trials. You have been afflicted with disease. Your aspirations have had their wings clipped. You know what trial is. But may God in his infinite mercy save you from standing by the grave which has closed over your household jewels—your earthly darlings. Such is my prayer.
+Through the blessing of God, I have in some degree bowed to the terrible blow and I can say, "thy will be done" though my heart is crying for my loved ones. The exciting scenes of war furnish occupation for my thoughts so that my loss does not weigh as heavily on me as when at home.
+I am now with my regiment again at the Relay House. Darwin has doubtless told you of my whereabouts. I had much rather be here handling a musket than driving the goose quill at Fort McHenry.
+My health will not endure confinement. If ever I regain it at all, it must be now. General Dix gave me leave of absence for a week and I went down to Washington and staid several days and saw the "pomp and circumstance of glorious war." The basement of the Capitol is used for an everlasting bakery. More than 200,000 loaves of bread are baked daily for the great army in and around Washington. The splendid Patent Office Building is used for a hospital for the sick and wounded. The fine grounds around the Washington Monument are used as a yard for thousands of cattle which today and tomorrow are not forever. In short, Washington presents the appearance of a beleaguered city.
+I went (by the kindness of Lieutenant King of Wis.) over the chain bridge into Virginia and staid with the Wisconsin 5th and 2nd all night. I slept on the further side of the furthest advanced regiment of our forces. I never saw a more splendid night than the one I spent in Virginia. The moon hung glistening in a cloudless sky and her beams fell on countless white tents, stretching away as far as the eye could reach, on gleaming bayonets, on huge cannon, on impregnable fortifications which bind the highlands west of the Potomac together as with a mighty chain. The rebels can never break through them to storm our Capitol. Neither can we go "forward to Richmond" through the terrible batteries of the enemy till we have drawn off a part of their great forces by demonstrations on the coast. Such I think is the plan of the government. We have a hard road to travel to conquer this rebellion. I believe I shall live to see it die and with it, the damnable institution which is the cause of it. But I do seriously fear that the present administration will fail to meet God’s purposes and that He will be obliged to depose them and raise up others who dare do His will.
+Fremont alone has met the question and handled it as God would have it handled and government will probably remove him for it. Seward is a mighty humbug and Lincoln is his willing tool. Neither of them meet the crisis like men, nor Christians, but like politicians who dare not say their souls are their own.
+I am tired, cousin, and must stop, Please write me again. Direct to Baltimore, Maryland.
+Care of Captain Roundy, Co. F, 4th Regt. Wis. Vols.
+My love to Ira and the child. — Daniel
+https://sparedcreative21.art.blog/2020/02/26/1861-daniel-burdick-maxson-to-cousin-hattie/?fbclid=IwAR3lFCoYYTMgesTDznXTnCe5GN9xJ0SxOXeTjTxISGcjjM-b0GHakzblEvQ
+----
+//Sheboygan Journal//, September 25, 1861
+FROM THE FOURTH REGIMENT.
+Correspondence of the Journal.
+CAMP GRAY, NEAR ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION,\\
+MARYLAND, Sept. 16, 1861.
+FRIEND MILLS: - Company "C" has been detailed to guard the U. S. Military route from the Relay House to Annapolis Junction. The Co. is scattered along the line in squads of 8 and 10, under charge of a Corporal. Your correspondent is posted with Capt. GRAY and Lieut. COLE at Annapolis Junction, which is a small village at the Junction of the Washington and Annapolis Railroads, and is 21 miles from Washington, 18 miles from Baltimore, and 18 miles from Annapolis. Two companies are of the Massachusetts 21st are stationed near us, guarding the road beyond the Junction towards Washington. We came here day before yesterday, and so far have found it a most delightful location. Several large slave-owners live near us, and appear to be very hospitable people. they cannot hardly be called secessionists, neither can they be called strict Unionists. They seem to have but little sympathy with the war, and in fact do not appear to concern themselves about which side comes out ahead. They attend to their own business, and treat everybody, no matter what their opinions are, hospitably. The planters' daughters are quite patriotic, if the many favors they send us is any criterion. Our duty is light and agreeable. We do pretty much as we please here, with the exception of standing guard nights, and it seems quite a relief to be free from the restrictions of camp life with the regiment.
+From this point we hear the frequent booming of cannon at Washington, but we are ignorant of what it is for. As a battle is momentarily expected, on the occasion of firing, we remark, "The great battle has commenced." But the news comes in a few minutes "all right at Washington."
+Before you receive this, you will have heard of the wholesale arrest of prominent Rebels in Baltimore, including Mayor Brown and Ross Winans. That is a "big thing" and Gen. Dix will immortalize himself by the operation. Some of these men were members of the Legislature which meets at Frederick on Tuesday, and were the most influential and wealthy of the Rebel leaders in Maryland. It is my opinion, and also that of others, that if these men had been permitted to meet together on Tuesday next, they would have passed an Ordinance of Secession, and simultaneously with the Rebel attack on Washington the Rebels of Maryland would have risen and endeavored to place the State Government in the hands of the Southern Confederacy. But the sagacity and promptness of Gen. Dix has placed an awful big block before the wheel of the Rebel cart. It does seem to me incomprehensible why the people of this State should persist in their desire to have a Southern army in their State. I should think that the present plight that Virginia is in would present a horrible warning to them. Why that a State blessed with peace and prosperity should invite armed hosts to convert it into a battle field, is more than I can conjecture.
+We have discouraging news from home in regard to the raising of new companies for the war. I trust, in God's name, that you will not have to resort to drafting to obtain your quota of men from Sheboygan county. I presume you recollect the assurances, given us before we left home, that we would be followed, if necessary, at a moment's notice, by any quantity of patriots from home. Do not, I say, let those assurances be proven vain and empty boasting. Recollect that this is the best and noblest cause that God every smiled upon, and that we are bound to win. If Co. "C" is to be the only representative of good old Sheboygan in this war, so be it. As the mate of a vessel said to the captain, during a storm, "you 'tend to your end of the schooner, we'll 'tend to our'n." We also hear that there is a class of men in your county who are doing mischief by ridiculing the Administration, and denouncing the stringent but urgent laws passed by the last Congress, and making light of the present difficulties which surround our country. This same class of men, while thus poisoning the patriotic atmosphere in which they move, claim to be law-abiding, and therefore, good citizens; and to many are seemingly harmless. They clamor for a peace which would entail upon us unending wars, and ask for an accomodation with their friends, which would forever disgrace and ruin us as a great nation. The Tories of '76 have had their reward; but the Tories of '61 profit by the lesson.
+Speaking of tories and this rebellion reminds me of some lines I saw the other day, written in 1850 by on who is now among the most active and unscrupulous in aiding the wide-spread rebellion. I need not tell you they are from the pen of Albert G. Pike. I quote two verses:
+"Great God! what a title, what name\\
+Will history give to your crime!\\
+In the deepest abyss of dishonor and shame\\
+Ye will writhe till the last hour of time,\\
+As braggarts who forged their own chains,\\
+Pulled down what their forefathers built,\\
+And tainted the blood in their children's young veins\\
+With the poison of slavery and guilt.\\
+And Freedom's bright heart be hereafter tenfold\\
+For your folly and fall more discouraged and cold,"
+"What flat floats over the fires\\
+And the smoke of your parricide war.\\
+Instead of the star and broad stripes of your sires?\\
+A lone pale dim mist-covered star,\\
+With the treason cloud hiding its glow,\\
+And its waning crest close to the sea!\\
+Will the Eagle's wing shelter and shield you? ah, no!\\
+That wing shelters only the free!\\
+Miscall it, disguise it, boast, brag as ye will\\
+We are traitors, misled by your mad leaders still."
+Who would think that this same Albert G. Pike is now congregating a reg't of savages to assist in the slaughter of his countrymen and overthrow of the Union? Indeed, sad times have come upon us.
+Soldiers still continue to flock in to Washington. Four regiments passed here yesterday, together with any amount of cannon mounted on carriages.
+The 4th regiment has moved from its position one mile south of the Relay House, on to a high hill, overlooking the viaduct and Harper's Ferry road. Entrenchments are to be thrown up, and the position strongly fortified. A battery of artillery is also to be placed there, and I understand it is to be commanded by Lt. Pauli, of Co. "C" who is an experienced artillerist. All this indicates a long sojourn for us in this vicinity. I hope we may never be placed in a worse place.
+I will take a trip down to Annapolis to-morrow just for the novelty of the thing, and if I should observe anything of interest while there you shall be duly posted. Again having the pleasure to announce to you that the health of our boys is good, I remain,
+Yours, &c., HIGH PRIVATE.
+{{ :4th_wisc_inf:sheboygan-journal-sep-24-1861-p-2.png?linkonly|}}
-<figure label>
-{{:{{ :4th_wisc_inf:sheboygan-journal-sep-24-1861-p-2.png?600 |img}}
-<caption>sheboygan-journal-sep-25-1861</caption>
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+//Evergreen City Times//, October 4, 1861
+Our Army Correspondence.
+Letter from the Fourth Regiment.
+RAILROAD DEPARTMENT, MD.,\\
+Sept. 19th, 1861.
+FRIEND ROSS: Since our company became incorporated into the 4th Regiment, its services, its merits, and consequent honors, have all been absorbed, swallowed up, and completely eclipsed by the centralizing power of the regimental name. If we did anything nice, it was the 4th Regiment. If we were exceedingly orderly and well behaved on any occasion, it was all the 4th Regiment. All our aspirations for fame all our chances for distinction, all our panting for military glory, were thus hopelessly brushed. So, following the steps of many illustrious predecessors, we seceded - dissolved all connection with the glorious 4th on the basis of mutual agreement, and Company C is now a power by itself.
+Capt. GRAY is Commander-in-Chief of the Department, while Orderly DURBIN, and Sergeants WINTERMEYER, THOMPSON, PULLMAN and BROOKS, and COLE, are Chiefs of Divisions. FRANK LAVINE is Private Secretary; Corporal COLE is Postmaster General; Lieutenants PAULI and COLE, and Corporals SHARPE and KRENDTLER, with the Postmaster General form his Cabinet. Corporal LUCAS is Adjutant, Corporal WITTE is Quartermaster Sergeant, and your not very humble servant is High Private in place of E. E. SHARPE, promoted. Our Head-Quarters are at Annapolis Junction, a point 18 miles from Annapolis, 19 from Baltimore, and 20 from Washington; thus occupying a grand central and commanding position. Capt. GRAY issues his General orders daily with as much grace, dignity and authority as Gen. McClellan. The extent of our jurisdiction i 10 miles in length, and width without limit. It is known as "The Railroad Department."
+The Regiment finding itself so weakened by our withdrawal, immediately evacuated Camp Randall and moved nearer the Relay House, to a hill overlooking the Railroad, and commenced fortifying. The new camp is named Camp Bean, in honor of the Lieut. Colonel.
+Troops are passing through here almost without number. From 5 to 7 Regiments go through daily. The inhabitants here wonder greatly "where all the soldiers come from." They say they did not think there were so many in the whole United States. They think we northerners must think a good deal of Lincoln to leave our homes and families and come away from Maine and Wisconsin to fight for him. Trains pass and repass almost hourly laden with horses, cattle, hogs, tents [...] ammunition, wagons, &c. I don't see where they find place to put them all.
+It appears that our Wisconsin Postmasters have some funny ideas in their heads about postage and the franking privilege, which cause them to take postage on letters franked by a member of Congress. A novel idea, truly! They assume to themselves more knowledge and authority than Congress, the Post Master General and all the Government officials put together. I would like to know what business they have to require postage at that end of the route? The law requires that all letters transmitted from one part of the United States to another shall be prepaid. It makes no provision for their going through and the pay being collected at the place of destination; and if there should a letter come through unpaid, the man that took the letter is liable to the Government, and not the P. M., at the other end of the route. But letters that are franked by an M. C. the Post Master has no business to meddle with. If the M. C. has abused the franking privilege he is liable to punishment, and not the P. M. Their excuse is that it is an abuse of the franking privilege; that members of Congress can frank their own letters but not those of the whole army. How does the P. M. know who sent them? He has no means of knowing except by the frank, which he is bound to respect. The facts are, that the soldiers, having been in the service some time and receiving no pay from Government, got pretty short of funds. The members of Congress knowing the yearnings of the human heart, and considering that a few dollars could be made much more useful in carrying messages of love to the dear ones at home and pouring the oil of consolation into their bleeding hearts, than in lining the pockets of leeches, bloodsuckers, contractors, office seekers, and the whole horde of hangers on at the Capital, - and having the consent of the administration, assumed the responsibility of sending the letters as their own. They were received by the government officials here, and nothing wrong was seen in the transaction till they reached Wisconsin, whom those wisacres decreed that the frank mark was a nullity and the postage must be paid! After the Government had devised a plan to relieve the families of poor soldiers and furnish them the means of communication, because itself was delinquent in its payment, and considered it an act of justice, upon reaching home, the wives and friends must pay the postage out of the scanty pittance left them for their support. Is it not only illegal but it is low - mean - it is contemptible! Nevertheless it was not a little amusing to witness the storm of harmless indignation burst forth against the malicious swindle.
+Last night considerable interest was excited in camp by the appearance of 30 men from the Wisconsin 3rd in charge of 10 Secession members of the Maryland Legislature, who were arrested yesterday at Frederick. They were on their way to Washington. They looked rather seedy, nothing having been furnished by the Government, and no pay yet. They felt first rate, however, and were quite proud of their charge. The Seceshers were quite restless under their escort, that not being the business they met to transact.
+We have received a complete outfit from the Government. It is quite a fancy dress and gives us a very soldierly appearance. We have got clothes though now to kill a man to carry them. We have two suits from the State, and this one, with three blankets and an overcoat. I tell you what, the Wisconsin 4th are well provided with all the necessaries, many of the comforts and several of the luxuries of life. All the trouble with us, is, we hate to stay here idle and see the smoke of the battle ascend from the field of strife, and hear the roar of artillery reverberating among the surrounding hills, and we not have a chance in. We came to fight and we don't want to get cheated out of it. But if appearances are not deceiving we stand a good chance of having that wish gratified to our hearts content before too many weeks. Coming events cast their shadows before, and Potomac's dread echoes shall ring with the bloodhounds that howl the requiem over the death of Secession.
+Yours, &c.,
+L. C. BARTLETT.
+{{ :4th_wisc_inf:evergreen-city-times-oct-04-1861-p-2.png?linkonly|}}
-<figure label>
-{{:{{ :4th_wisc_inf:evergreen-city-times-oct-04-1861-p-2.png |img}}
-<caption>evergreen-city-times-oct-04-1861</caption>
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-<figure label>
+//Sheboygan Journal//, October 11, 1861
-{{:{{ :4th_wisc_inf:sheboygan-journal-oct-11-1861-p-2.jpg?600 |img}}
-<caption>sheboygan-journal-oct-11-1861</caption>
+From the Fourth Regiment.
-</figure>
+Correspondence of the Journal.
+CAMP GRAY, NEAR ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION,\\
+MARYLAND, Oct. 1, 1861.
+FRIEND MILLS: Company "C" is still engaged in the arduous duty of guarding the railroad from the Relay to Annapolis Junction, and is likely to be for some time to come. As I write, Adj. Aldrich and Capt. Gray are just starting for Washington on an extra engine. Something is evidently in the wind, but I am unable to conceive what it is. News of a startling character has just been received from the army across the Potomac, and their business there is undoubtedly important. If the two opposing armies meet in a general engagement across the Potomac, our Regiment would undoubtedly be pushed forward immediately, and in case our army should receive a check, we would, Blacher-like, rush up, fresh and eager, and decide the day. Don't you see?
+Through the kindness of Capt. Hammond, of the A. & E. R. R., I visited the ancient town of Annapolis, on Saturday last. Annapolis is distinguished more for its being the Capitol of the State, and the U. S. Naval Academy located there, than for anything else. The city proper is a miserable, uninviting place, with no pretentions of anything to brag of, excepting the amount of niggers it contains. A white man in that vicinity is quite a novelty. The buildings and property, lately occupied by the Government, are now used by the Mass. 21st regiment for their quarters. The buildings enclosed within the walls are built of beautiful blue stone and brick, and magnificent ones they are too. There are upwards of 40 buildings within the square, all of the most costly structure, filled with all the modern improvements such as gas, water works, steam heating apparatus, &c., at an expense to Government of millions of dollars, all of which are now deserted, with the exception of a few occupied by the Mass. reg't. A shady park is within the walls, adorned with statuary and fountains, which give it a most beautiful and effective appearance. The U. S. war steamer Alleghany lies at anchor about a quarter of a mile from the Academy. She now has a large number of Rebel prisoners on board, who are in charge of Col. Morse, of the 21st. Maj. Clark informs me that many of them are being released daily by merely going through the form of subscribing to the oath of allegiance. Half of them who sign the oath will not have been at liberty ten days before they will be just as actively engaged in their hellish work. I think the Government is entirely too lenient in this business. I saw a little acdote in a paper a day or two ago, which was a good illustration of the way Gov't is acting with these secessionists. Some boys had caught a live rattle-snake while out blackberrying, and the question arose, what should be done with him. One of them spoke up, saying, "Let us make him swear to the oath of allegiance to the Government and let him slide" That boy had undoubtedly been reading the papers for the past few months.
+The old capital building situated in the heart of the place is a noble looking structure. In it is the room in which Washington delivered up his commission as commander-in-chief of the American army. In the rotunda lies an iron cannon which Lord Baltimore bro't over with him to this country in the year 1634. It has been placed for many years in the Capital for safe keeping, and as a relic of the olden times. The outside of it has been eaten considerably by rust, and is quite decayed; so much so that small scales of it can easily be knocked off. I kicked off a piece of it, which I enclose to you, thinking you would prize it as a relic of the early days of America. The cannon is about twelve feet long, and would carry a 16 lb. ball.
+There is nothing of interest along the route from the Junction to Annapolis. The road passes through the "Piney Woods," and occasionally a tobacco or corn field breaks the sameness of the scenery along the route. The N. Y. 7th and Mass. 8th passed over the road on their march to Washington in May last, and experienced considerable difficulty in re-laying imaginary rails and rebuilding imaginary locomotives, displaced and destroyed by imaginary secessionists. Your readers, many of them, have probably seen the history of "the perilous" march of the above regiments, which was published in the June and July numbers of the Atlantic Monthly. I am informed upon undoubted authority, by men who were in the employ of the road, and good Union men too, that the members of both of these regiments did more hard work writing "puffs" of themselves for the newspapers and magazines than in any other way, and they were all falsehoods from beginning to end.
+Since my last over 25,000 troops have passed here on their way to Washington, and also enormous quantities of horses, cattle, &c. As the Potomac is now blockaded, so to speak, this is the only route now open from the North to and from Washington.
+The regiment received their new uniforms last week, and expect to receive new arms in a short time. The uniform is handsome and durable; the coat is a dark blue frock coat, long skirts, brass buttons, &c; the pants of the same quality of goods and same color. The men now all look like officers. We received about $50 worth apiece, consisting of one over-coat, one dress coat, one pair pants, one cap, two undershirts, two pair stockings, and one pair of shoes - all of which are of the very best material. Uncle Sam does not furnish anything else but the best.
+On Friday last the regiment passed in review before Generals Dix and Duryea, who presented the regiment with a stand of colors. Both Generals were highly pleased with the appearance of Co. Paine's command, both in its drill and general phisique. After the presentation of the colors, Gen'ls Duryea, Dix the Officers of the regiment, and a few others, repaired to the Relay House and had a regular "out west" jollification.
+Two deaths have occurred within the last two weeks in the hospital. One of the victims was James Hart, of the Calumet Co.; the name of the other I have not learned. A number of Co. "C's" boys are in the hospital, but are not dangerous.
+Yours, &c., HIGH PRIVATE.
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