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Camp Advance, Fort Smith
4th Vermont Regiment
Friend Swain:—We are now encamped on the “sacred soil,” at the advanced post of the division, in the vicinity of Chain Bridge. But a word regarding our trip.—
We left Camp Holbrook, at Brattleboro, Saturday evening about 8 o’clock, and arrived at New Haven about daylight, and embarked immediately on board the steamer Elm City and landed at Jersey City Sunday, about 12 o’clock, and started immediately by rail for Washington. We were furnished at Philadelphia with a splendid supper, and I assure you the boys did ample justice to the good things, for more hungry set would be hard to find. I understand every regiment passing through is fed—and in good shape too—a large building has been erected, and everything arranged in the best shape, with a separate room for working, which is all supported by a voluntary subscription, with plenty of pretty volunteer girls to wait on the bold soldier boys.
We are mortified beyond expression to remark that there are men in the South who, in this war of independence, find the dictates of selfish interest stronger than that of patriotism, to a degree which is only not criminal in the popular understanding because there is no law that makes it amenable to criminal statute.—The Richmond papers state that certain persons have secured in advance the product of a number of mills which the government chiefly relied on for furnishing the cloth for the manufacture of winter clothing for our soldiers at the Confederate factory in that city, and now hold their bargains, demanding an exorbitant profit on the prices of fabrics.
Coats, dresses and suits, built especially for the stylish stout woman, were shown in a delightful array, Wednesday forenoon and afternoon at the Daylight Store, H. L. Merrill, proprietor. Two women from New York, who were true to type, under the stylish stout class, displayed the fall and winter models at the two shows to a large number of appreciative patrons.
Dresses for evening wear and yet suitable as well, for afternoon wear were shown, including some lovely creations in the new very popular chenille embroidered georgette. This delightful material gives the look of weight, without actually supplying it. One lovely dress of this material, was in a deep rose color and its sole ornament was a gold cloth lined bow at the front left hip. Another dress was in a rich shade of blue, also made on simple lines.
A Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune says :
I have just learned the particulars of two interviews which took place on Sunday last between some members of Colonel Hays’ 8th Pennsylvania regiment and the Virginia 43d (rebel) stationed oil the opposite banks of the Potomac at Great Falls. The river is here not more than a hundred yards wide, and the pickets on both sides have occasionally hailed each other. On Sunday the rebels invited some of our men across, stating that if they would leave their arms behind them they would receive hospitable treatment and be allowed to return.
Warden Murphy Brings Three to Court—Iowa Fisherman Goes to Jail.
Shooting partridges before the season opens, or catching too many fish are not profitable pastimes, as various offenders found out during the past week when brought to court by J. P. Murphy, Itasca county game warden.
Mike Troppman and Harold Buckman were arrested last Friday, north of Little Riley lake, by Mr. Murphy, and charged with violating the closed season on partridges. Both pleaded guilty, and paid fines when arraigned before Judge Keo Leroux. Troppman, who was once before convicted of violating the game laws, paid a fine of $25 and costs. Buckman paid $10 and costs for his bird.
(Special Dispatch to the Chicago Tribune.)
Cairo, Oct. 7.
The gunboats Tyler and Lexington had an active engagement to-day with rebel shore batteries at Iron Banks, three miles this side of Columbus. The boats left here at 9 o’clock for down the river, on a reconnaissance. Arrived at Lucas Bend, they got sight of the rebel gunboat Jeff Davis, which on, chase being given, put about with all possible dispatch for Columbus. The Lexington and Conestoga, while in chase, and throwing shot, were suddenly fired upon from masked batteries on each side of the river. The rebel shots, however, generally fell short. A battery of rifled cannon on the Iron Banks threw balls over and around the gunboats, cutting close, but fortunately doing no damage. Parties on board represent the scene for a time as particularly exciting. Shot and shell were flying about in uncomfortable proximity, making the air ring with music. The guns of our boats were admirably managed, every shot going home, and the shell bursting in air over the rebel quarters, causing a big commotion among them. The boats finally drew off and returned to Cairo. It is not known what damage was done to the rebels, but many of them are thought to have been killed.
West Liberty, 9th month, 22d, 1861.
Friend Mahin:—It seems very strange to me, the present condition of this government, and very humiliating its future prospects.—On the one hand we see American slavery arraying a mighty host against this nation to give it battle, for to secure its own enlargement and perpetuation, no other principle whatever at stake, and no other pretence made, its war cry destruction, desolation and ruin, not only to this government, but to every principle of justice, humanity and virtue.
On the other hand, we with amazement be hold a once mighty government giving battle to this monster rebel, calling on “all true sons of freedom” to join the army to put down rebellion, and re-establish a Union (that never existed only on paper) between the north and south; and what for? Just for the sake of having the privilege of paying the expense of and sustaining in this government one of the most abominable systems that ever the sun shone upon. Why not behead the monster while he has his head on the executioner’s block, seeing he has laid it there himself? Why turn our army into slave catchers?