Washington Sept 7^th 1862

 

Dear Sister Mary

When I closed my last letter I was on board the steamer and expected that the mail would be put ashore there that night but we did not reach that place till the middle of the next afternoon (thursday) but we did not stop. It was so far off that we could but just see it and passed up Chesapeake bay. About 1 oclock friday morning the moon went down and we came to anchor at the mouth of the Potomac Saturday morning at daylight we started on our voyage up the river and a grand time we had of it too. Vessels were passing up and down loaded with horses mules and all kinds of military stores. Some were loaded with damaged articles such as baggage wagons, locomotives, knapsacks &c. What buildings I could see along the banks looked quite respectable, as good as they will average in old Massachusetts. There were some splendid residences, but each one had several little huts round it for the negroes. There were no villages to be seen each house seemed to be built on its own hook. I should say that two thirds of the land was wooded and not a fence to be seen. We saw the remains of several rebel batteries. But the greatest object of interest was Mount Vernon. We did not have a very good view of it there were so many trees in front. It has always been customary for vessels when passing to toll their bells, till this war broke out but it is not observed now. One thing which seemed rather curious to me was that the roofs of the buildings of MV were painted red. A little ways above we came to F^t Washington. The soldiers came out and cheered us. Immediately after passing fort W we came in full view of the city of Alexandria and beyond that the Dome of the Capitol at Washington. Alexandria is rather a dirty looking place. We came to anchor there about 3 or 4 oclock P.M. A little ways from the shore was the Marshall house where Elsworth was killed. The American flag was flying from the cupola. /

 

We slept on board the vessel that we came on (the Merrimac) last night. This morning we went aboard of a smaller boat (the other was too deep draught to go further) & landed a little south of the capitol on the Maryland shore. Our companions on the voyage the 20^th Maine reg^t have gone some other way. We are now on a small hill just up the bank of the river on a sort of a common we can see the dome of the Capitol it is not yet finished. We expect to leave here for Leesboro M^d to night or tomorrow morning early. It is situated about 7 miles north of Washington. We are going to march it. The news we hear is rather doleful. I presume you know as much about it as we do but I will give you the rumors out of curiosity. /

 

It is said that Mclellan and Pope have retreated within the lines around Washington that Mcdowells army is all cut to pieces that Mcdowell himself is a traitor and they have got him in irons in Washington. I dont know how much of it is true. It does not appear much like sunday round here today. Baggage wagons, artillery infantry & and cavalry are passing to and fro. We are all of us glad to get ashore though we have had as pleasant weather for our trip as we could wish. I must finish up my letter in a hurry for I have got a chance to send it to the P.O. All well good bye

                                                                                   

from your bro E. W. Stacy

SOURCES