Among the regularly recurring incidents of the present state of affairs here, few strike the passer-by with more force than the very large crowd that gathers, on each Monday morning, at the door of the military headquarters, on St. Asaph street, opposite the Post Office. Hundreds of people wait there for hours for “passes,” making the sidewalk impassable for a considerable distance. Men, women and children—white, black and mulatto—all form a compact mass which collects about nine o’clock, increases until about ten, and then gradually diminishes until the last applicant is heard, the “pass” granted or refused, and then all is quiet as before.
These passes are asked for various purposes, and they are little less than essential for the transaction of any kind of business, or the pursuit of any sort of pleasure which requires an extended sphere of locomotion. To go to the camps—to visit Washington— to cross the river, into Maryland—to sail upon the river—to “duck” upon the Potomac, or hunt in the woods—to pass the guard at a late hour of the night—all require “passes,” which are granted only upon the condition that the holder of the pass declare that he is a loyal citizen of the United States.
These passes generally require a weekly renewal, and hence the crowd and consequent excitement on the Monday mornings of each week.
The Local News, Alexandria, VA