Another Crimean acquaintance--Summary dismissal of a newspaper
correspondent--Dinner at Lord Lyons’--Review of artillery--
“Habeas Corpus”--The President’s duties--M‘Clellan’s policy--The
Union army--Soldiers and the patrol--Public men in America--Mr.
Seward and Lord Lyons--A judge placed under arrest--Death and
funeral of Senator Baker--Disorderly troops and officers--
Official fibs--Duck-shooting at Baltimore.
_October 5th._--A day of heat extreme. Tumbled in upon me an old
familiar face and voice, once Forster of a hospitable Crimean hut
behind Mother Seacole’s, commanding a battalion of Land Transport
Corps, to which he had descended or sublimated from his position as
ex-Austrian dragoon and _beau sabreur_ under old Radetzsky in Italian
wars; now a colonel of distant volunteers, and a member of the
Parliament of British Columbia. He was on his way home to Europe, and
had travelled thus far out of his way to see his friend.
After him came in a gentleman, heated, wild-eyed, and excited, who
had been in the South, where he was acting as correspondent to a
London newspaper, and on his return to Washington had obtained a
pass from General Scott. According to his own story, he had been
indulging in a habit which free-born Englishmen may occasionally
find to be inconvenient in foreign countries in times of high
excitement, and had been expressing his opinion pretty freely in
favour of the Southern cause in the bar-rooms of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Imagine a Frenchman going about the taverns of Dublin during an
Irish rebellion, expressing his sympathy with the rebels, and you
may suppose he would meet with treatment at least as peremptory
as that which the Federal authorities gave Mr. D----. In fine,
that morning early, he had been waited upon by an officer, who
requested his attendance at the Provost Marshal’s office; arrived
there, a functionary, after a few queries, asked him to give up
General Scott’s pass, and when Mr. D---- refused to do so, proceeded
to execute a terrible sort of proces verbal on a large sheet of
foolscap, the initiatory flourishes and prolegomena of which so
intimidated Mr. D----, that he gave up his pass and was permitted to
depart, in order that he might start for England by the next steamer.
A wonderful Frenchman, who lives up a back street, prepared a curious
banquet, at which Mr. Irvine, Mr. Warre, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Lamy, and
Colonel Foster assisted; and in the evening Mr. Lincoln’s private
secretary, a witty, shrewd, and pleasant young fellow, who looks
little more than eighteen years of age, came in with a friend, whose
name I forget; and by degrees the circle expanded, till the walls
seemed to have become elastic, so great was the concourse of guests.
_October 6th._--A day of wandering around, and visiting, and
listening to rumours all unfounded. I have applied for permission
to accompany the Burnside expedition, but I am advised not to leave
Washington, as M‘Clellan will certainly advance as soon as the
diversion has been made down South.
_October 7th._--The heat to-day was literally intolerable, and wound
up at last in a tremendous thunderstorm with violent gusts of rain.
At the Legation, where Lord Lyons entertained the English visitors
at dinner, the rooms were shaken by thunder claps, and the blinding
lightning seemed at times to turn the well-illuminated rooms into
caves of darkness.
_October 8th._--A review of the artillery at this side of the
river took place to-day, which has been described in very inflated
language by the American papers, the writers on which--never having
seen a decently-equipped force of the kind--pronounce the sight to
have been of unequalled splendour; whereas the appearance of horses
and men was very far from respectable in all matters relating to
grooming, cleanliness, and neatness. General Barry has done wonders
in simplifying the force and reducing the number of calibres, which
varied according to the fancy of each State, or men of each officer
who raised a battery; but there are still field-guns of three inches
and of three inches and a-half, Napoleon guns, rifled 10 lb. Parrots,
ordinary 9-pounders, a variety of howitzers, 20-lb. Parrot rifled
guns, and a variety of different projectiles in the caissons. As the
men rode past, the eye was distressed by discrepancies in dress.
Many wore red or white worsted comforters round their necks, few had
straps to their trousers; some had new coats, others old; some wore
boots, others shoes; not one had clean spurs, bits, curb-chains, or
buttons. The officers cannot get the men to do what the latter regard
as works of supererogation.
There were 72 guns in all; and if the horses were not so light, there
would be quite enough to do for the Confederates to reduce their
fire, as the pieces are easily handled, and the men like artillery
and take to it naturally, being in that respect something like the
natives of India.
Whilst I was standing in the crowd, I heard a woman say, “I doubt if
that Russell is riding about here. I should just like to see him to
give him a piece of my mind. They say he’s honest, but I call him
a poor pre-jewdiced Britisher. This sight’ll give him fits.” I was
quite delighted at my incognito. If the caricatures were at all like
me, I should have what the Americans call a bad time of it.
On the return of the batteries a shell exploded in a caisson just
in front of the President’s house, and, miraculous to state, did
not fire the other projectiles. Had it done so, the destruction of
life in the crowded street--blocked up with artillery, men, and
horses, and crowds of men, women, and children--would have been
truly frightful. Such accidents are not uncommon--a waggon blew up
the other day “out West,” and killed and wounded several people; and
though the accidents in camp from firearms are not so numerous as
they were, there are still enough to present a heavy casualty list.
Whilst the artillery were delighting the citizens, a much more
important matter was taking place in an obscure little court
house--much more destructive to their freedom, happiness, and
greatness than all the Confederate guns which can ever be ranged
against them. A brave, upright, and honest judge, as in duty bound,
issued a writ of _habeas corpus_, sued out by the friends of a minor,
who, contrary to the laws of the United States, had been enlisted by
an American general, and was detained by him in the ranks of his
regiment. The officer refused to obey the writ, whereupon the judge
issued an attachment against him, and the Federal brigadier came into
court and pleaded that he took that course by order of the President.
The court adjourned, to consider the steps it should take.
I have just seen a paragraph in the local paper, copied from a west
country journal, headed “Good for Russell,” which may explain the
unusually favourable impression expressed by the women this morning.
It is an account of the interview I had with the officer who came “to
trade” for my horse, written by the latter to a Green Bay newspaper,
in which, having duly censured my “John Bullism” in not receiving
with the utmost courtesy a stranger, who walked into his room before
breakfast on business unknown, he relates as a proof of honesty (in
such a rare field as trading in horseflesh) that, though my groom had
sought to put ten dollars in my pocket by a mild exaggeration of the
amount paid for the animal, which was the price I said I would take,
I would not have it.
_October 9th._--A cold, gloomy day. I am laid up with the fever and
ague, which visit the banks of the Potomac in autumn. It annoyed
me the more because General M‘Clellan is making a reconnaissance
to-day towards Lewinsville, with 10,000 men. A gentleman from the War
Department visited me to-day, and gave me scanty hopes of procuring
any assistance from the authorities in taking the field. Civility
costs nothing, and certainly if it did United States officials would
require high salaries, but they often content themselves with fair
words.
There are some things about our neighbours which we may never hope
to understand. To-day, for instance, a respectable person, high in
office, having been good enough to invite me to his house, added,
“You shall see Mrs. A., sir. She is a very pretty and agreeable young
lady, and will prove nice society for you,” meaning his wife.
Mr. N. P. Willis was good enough to call on me, and in the course
of conversation said, “I hear M‘Clellan tells you everything. When
you went away West I was very near going after you, as I suspected
you heard something.” Mr. Willis could have had no grounds for this
remark, for very certainly it has no foundation in fact. Truth to
tell, General M‘Clellan seemed, the last time I saw him, a little
alarmed by a paragraph in a New York paper, from the Washington
correspondent, in which it was invidiously stated, “General
M‘Clellan, attended by Mr. Russell, correspondent of the London
_Times_, visited the camps to-day. All passes to civilians and others
were revoked.” There was not the smallest ground for the statement
on the day in question, but I am resolved not to contradict anything
which is said about me, but the General could not well do so; and
one of the favourite devices of the Washington correspondent to fill
up his columns, is to write something about me, to state I have been
refused passes, or have got them, or whatever else he likes to say.
Calling on the General the other night at his usual time of return,
I was told by the orderly, who was closing the door, “The General’s
gone to bed tired, and can see no one. He sent the same message to
the President, who came inquiring after him ten minutes ago.”
This poor President! He is to be pitied; surrounded by such scenes,
and trying with all his might to understand strategy, naval warfare,
big guns, the movements of troops, military maps, reconnaissances,
occupations, interior and exterior lines, and all the technical
details of the art of slaying. He runs from one house to another,
armed with plans, papers, reports, recommendations, sometimes
good humoured, never angry, occasionally dejected, and always a
little fussy. The other night, as I was sitting in the parlour at
head-quarters, with an English friend who had come to see his old
acquaintance the General, walked in a tall man with a navvy’s cap,
and an ill-made shooting suit, from the pockets of which protruded
paper and bundles. “Well,” said he to Brigadier Van Vliet, who rose
to receive him, “is George in?”
“Yes, sir. He’s come back, but is lying down, very much fatigued.
I’ll send up, sir, and inform him you wish to see him.”
“Oh, no; I can wait. I think I’ll take supper with him. Well, and
what are you now,--I forget your name--are you a major, or a colonel,
or a general?” “Whatever you like to make me, sir.”
Seeing that General M‘Clellan would be occupied, I walked out with my
friend, who asked me when I got into the street why I stood up when
that tall fellow came into the room. “Because it was the President.”
“The President of what?” “Of the United States.” “Oh! come, now
you’re humbugging me. Let me have another look at him.” He came
back more incredulous than ever, but when I assured him I was quite
serious, he exclaimed, “I give up the United States after this.”
But for all that, there have been many more courtly presidents who,
in a similar crisis, would have displayed less capacity, honesty, and
plain dealing than Abraham Lincoln.
_October 10th._--I got hold of M‘Clellan’s report on the Crimean war,
and made a few candid remarks on the performance, which does not
evince any capacity beyond the reports of our itinerant artillery
officers who are sent from Woolwich abroad for their country’s good.
I like the man, but I do not think he is equal to his occasion or his
place. There is one little piece of policy which shows he is looking
ahead--either to gain the good will of the army, or for some larger
object. All his present purpose is to make himself known to the men
personally, to familiarize them with his appearance, to gain the
acquaintance of the officers; and with this object he spends nearly
every day in the camps riding out at nine o’clock, and not returning
till long after nightfall, examining the various regiments as he goes
along, and having incessant inspections and reviews. He is the first
Republican general who could attempt to do all this without incurring
censure and suspicion. Unfortunate M‘Dowell could not inspect his
small army without receiving a hint that he must not assume such
airs, as they were more becoming a military despot than a simple
lieutenant of the great democracy.
_October 11th._--Mr. Mure, who has arrived here in wretched health
from New Orleans, after a protracted and very unpleasant journey
through country swarming with troops mixed with guerillas, tells me
that I am more detested in New Orleans than I am in New York. This
is ever the fate of the neutral, if the belligerents can get him
between them. The Girondins and men of the _juste milieu_ are ever
fated to be ground to powder. The charges against me were disposed of
by Mr. Mure, who says that what I wrote of in New Orleans was true,
and has shown it to be so in his correspondence with the Governor,
but, over and beyond that, I am disliked, because I do not praise
the peculiar institution. He amused me by adding that the mayor of
Jackson, with whom I sojourned, had published “a card,” denying
point blank that he had ever breathed a word to indicate that the
good citizens around him were not famous for the love of law, order,
and life, and a scrupulous regard to personal liberty. I can easily
fancy Jackson is not a place where a mayor suspected by the citizens
would be exempted from difficulties now and then; and if this
disclaimer does my friend any good, he is very heartily welcome to
it and more. I have received several letters lately from the parents
of minors, asking me to assist them in getting back their sons, who
have enlisted illegally in the Federal army. My writ does not run any
further than a Federal judge’s.
_October 12th._--The good people of New York and of the other
Northern cities, excited by the constant reports in the papers of
magnificent reviews and unsurpassed military spectacles, begin to
flock towards Washington in hundreds, where formerly they came in
tens. The woman-kind are particularly anxious to feast their eyes
on our glorious Union army. It is natural enough that Americans
should feel pride and take pleasure in the spectacle; but the love of
economy, the hatred of military despotism, and the frugal virtues of
republican government, long since placed aside by the exigencies of
the Administration, promise to vanish for ever.
The feeling is well expressed in the remark of a gentleman to whom I
was lamenting the civil war: “Well, for my part, I am glad of it. Why
should you in Europe have all the fighting to yourself? Why should we
not have our bloody battles, and our big generals, and all the rest
of it? This will stir up the spirits of our people, do us all a power
of good, and end by proving to all of you in Europe, that we are just
as good and first-rate in fighting as we are in ships, manufactures,
and commerce.”
But the wealthy classes are beginning to feel rather anxious about
the disposal of their money: they are paying a large insurance on the
Union, and they do not see that anything has been done to stop the
leak or to prevent it foundering. Mr. Duncan has arrived; to-day I
drove with him to Alexandria, and I think he has been made happy by
what he saw, and has no doubt “the Union is all right.” Nothing looks
so irresistible as your bayonet till another is seen opposed to it.
_October 13th._--Mr. Duncan, attended by myself and other Britishers,
made an extensive excursion through the camps on horseback, and I led
him from Arlington to Upton’s House, up by Munson’s Hill, to General
Wadsworth’s quarters, where we lunched on camp fare and, from the
observatory erected at the rear of the house in which he lives, had
a fine view this bright, cold, clear autumn day, of the wonderful
expanse of undulating forest lands, streaked by rows of tents, which
at last concentrated into vast white patches in the distance, towards
Alexandria. The country is desolate, but the camps are flourishing,
and that is enough to satisfy most patriots bent upon the subjugation
of their enemies.
_October 14th._--I was somewhat distraught, like a small Hercules
twixt Vice and Virtue, or Garrick between Comedy and Tragedy, by
my desire to tell Duncan the truth, and at the same time respect
the feelings of a friend. There was a rabbledom of drunken men in
uniforms under our windows, who resisted the patrol clearing the
streets, and one fellow drew his bayonet, and, with the support of
some of the citizens, said that he would not allow any regular to put
a finger on him. D---- said he had witnessed scenes just as bad, and
talked of lanes in garrison towns in England, and street rows between
soldiers and civilians; and I did not venture to tell him the scene
we witnessed was the sign of a radical vice in the system of the
American army, which is, I believe, incurable in these large masses.
Few soldiers would venture to draw their bayonets on a patrol. If
they did, their punishment would be tolerably sure and swift, but for
all I knew this man would be permitted to go on his way rejoicing.
There is news of two Federal reverses to-day. A descent was made on
Santa Rosa Island, and Mr. Billy Wilson’s Zouaves were driven under
the guns of Pickens, losing in the scurry of the night attack--as
prisoner only I am glad to say--poor Major Vogdes, of inquiring
memory. Rosecrans, who utterly ignores the advantages of Shaksperian
spelling, has been defeated in the West; but D---- is quite happy,
and goes off to New York contented.
_October 15th._--Sir James Ferguson and Mr. R. Bourke, who have been
travelling in the South and have seen something of the Confederate
government and armies, visited us this evening after dinner. They
do not seem at all desirous of testing by comparison the relative
efficiency of the two armies, which Sir James, at all events, is
competent to do. They are impressed by the energy and animosity of
the South, which no doubt will have their effect on England also; but
it will be difficult to popularize a Slave Republic as a new allied
power in England. Two of General M‘Clellan’s aides dropped in, and
the meeting abstained from general politics.
_October 16th._--Day follows day and resembles its predecessor.
M‘Clellan is still reviewing, and the North are still waiting for
victories and paying money, and the orators are still wrangling
over the best way of cooking the hares which they have not yet
caught. I visited General M‘Dowell to-day at his tent in Arlington,
and found him in a state of divine calm with his wife and _parvus
Iulus_. A public man in the United States is very much like a great
firework--he commences with some small scintillations which attract
the eye of the public, and then he blazes up and flares out in blue,
purple, and orange fires, to the intense admiration of the multitude,
and dying out suddenly is thought of no more, his place being taken
by a fresh roman candle or catherine wheel which is thought to be
far finer than those which have just dazzled the eyes of the fickle
spectators. Human nature is thus severely taxed. The Cabinet of State
is like the museum of some cruel naturalist, who seizes his specimens
whilst they are alive, bottles them up, forbids them to make as much
as a contortion, labelling them “My last President,” “My latest
Commander-in-chief,” or “My defeated General,” regarding the smallest
signs of life very much as did the French _petit maître_ who rebuked
the contortions and screams of the poor wretch who was broken on the
wheel, as contrary to _bienséance_. I am glad that Sir James Ferguson
and Mr. Bourke did not leave without making a tour of inspection
through the Federal camp, which they did to-day.
_October 17th._--_Dies non._
_October 18th._--To-day Lord Lyons drove out with Mr. Seward to
inspect the Federal camps, which are now in such order as to be
worthy of a visit. It is reported in all the papers that I am going
to England, but I have not the smallest intention of giving my
enemies here such a treat at present. As Monsieur de Beaumont of
the French Legation said, “I presume you are going to remain in
Washington for the rest of your life, because I see it stated in the
New York journals that you are leaving us in a day or two.”
_October 19th._--Lord Lyons and Mr. Seward were driving and
dining together yesterday _en ami_. To-day, Mr. Seward is engaged
demolishing Lord Lyons, or at all events the British Government, in a
despatch, wherein he vindicates the proceedings of the United States
Government in certain arrests of British subjects which had been
complained of, and repudiates the doctrine that the United States
Government can be bound by the opinion of the law officers of the
Crown respecting the spirit and letter of the American constitution.
This is published as a set-off to Mr. Seward’s circular on the
seacoast defences which created so much depression and alarm in the
Northern States, where it was at the time considered as a warning
that a foreign war was imminent, and which has since been generally
condemned as feeble and injudicious.
_October 20th._--I saw General M‘Clellan to-day, who gave me to
understand that some small movement might take place on the right.
I rode up to the Chain Bridge and across it for some miles into
Virginia, but all was quiet. The sergeant at the post on the south
side of the bridge had some doubts of the genuineness of my pass, or
rather of its bearer.
“I heard you were gone back to London, where I am coming to see you
some fine day with the boys here.”
“No, sergeant, I am not gone yet, but when will your visit take
place?”
“Oh, as soon as we have finished with the gentlemen across there.”
“Have you any notion when that will be?”
“Just as soon as they tell us to go on and prevent the blackguard
Germans running away.”
“But the Germans did not run away at Bull Bun?”
“Faith, because they did not get a chance--sure they put them in the
rear, away out of the fighting.”
“And why do you not go on now?”
“Well, that’s the question we are asking every day.”
“And can any-one answer it?”
“Not one of us can tell; but my belief is if we had one of the old
50th among us at the head of affairs we would soon be at them.
I belonged to the old regiment once, but I got off and took up
with shoe-making again, and faith if I sted in it I might have
been sergeant-major by this time, only they hated the poor Roman
Catholics.”
“And do you think, sergeant, you would get many of your countrymen
who had served in the old army to fight the old familiar red
jackets?” “Well, sir, I tell you I hope my arm would rot before I
would pull a trigger against the old 50th; but we would wear the red
jacket too--we have as good a right to it as the others, and then it
would be man against man, you know; but if I saw any of them cursed
Germans interfering I’d soon let daylight into them.” The hazy dreams
of this poor man’s mind would form an excellent article for a New
York newspaper, which on matters relating to England are rarely so
lucid and logical. Next day was devoted to writing and heavy rain,
through both of which, notwithstanding, I was assailed by many
visitors and some scurrilous letters, and in the evening there was a
Washington gathering of Englishry, Irishry, Scotchry, Yankees, and
Canadians.
_October 22nd._--Rain falling in torrents. As I write, in come
reports of a battle last night, some forty miles up the river,
which by signs and tokens I am led to believe was unfavourable
to the Federals. They crossed the river intending to move upon
Leesburg--were attacked by overwhelming forces and repulsed, but
maintained themselves on the right bank till General Banks reinforced
them and enabled them to hold their own. M‘Clellan has gone or is
going at once to the scene of action. It was three o’clock before I
heard the news, the road and country were alike unknown, nor had I
friend or acquaintance in the army of the Upper Potomac. My horse was
brought round however, and in company with Mr. Anderson, I rode out
of Washington along the river till the falling evening warned us to
retrace our steps, and we returned in pelting rain as we set out,
and in pitchy darkness, without meeting any messenger or person with
news from the battle-field. Late at night the White House was placed
in deep grief by the intelligence that in addition to other losses,
Brigadier and Senator Baker of California was killed. The President
was inconsolable, and walked up and down his room for hours lamenting
the loss of his friend. Mrs. Lincoln’s grief was equally poignant.
Before bed-time I told the German landlord to tell my servant I
wanted my horse round at seven o’clock.
_October 23rd._--Up at six, waiting for horse and man. At eight
walked down to stables. No one there. At nine became very angry--sent
messengers in all directions. At ten was nearly furious, when, at the
last stroke of the clock, James, with his inexpressive countenance,
perfectly calm nevertheless, and betraying no symptom of solicitude,
appeared at the door leading my charger. “And may I ask you where you
have been till this time?” “Wasn’t I dressing the horse, taking him
out to water, and exercising him.” “Good heavens! did I not tell you
to be here at seven o’clock?” “No, sir; Carl told me you wanted me at
ten o’clock, and here I am.” “Carl, did I not tell you to ask James
to be round here at seven o’clock.” “Not zeven clock, sere, but zehn
clock. I tell him, you come at zehn clock.” Thus at one blow was I
stricken down by Gaul and Teuton, each of whom retired with the air
of a man who had baffled an intended indignity, and had achieved a
triumph over a wrong-doer.
The roads were in a frightful state outside Washington--literally
nothing but canals, in which earth and water were mixed together
for depths varying from six inches to three feet above the surface;
but late as it was I pushed on, and had got as far as the turn of
the road to Rockville, near the great falls, some twelve miles
beyond Washington, when I met an officer with a couple of orderlies,
hurrying back from General Banks’s head-quarters, who told me the
whole affair was over, and that I could not possibly get to the scene
of action on one horse till next morning, even supposing that I
pressed on all through the night, the roads being utterly villainous,
and the country at night as black as ink; and so I returned to
Washington, and was stopped by citizens, who, seeing the streaming
horse and splashed rider, imagined he was reeking from the fray. “As
you were not there,” says one, “I’ll tell you what I know to be the
case. Stone and Baker are killed; Banks and all the other generals
are prisoners; the Rhode Island and two other batteries are taken,
and 5000 Yankees have been sent to H---- to help old John Brown to
roast niggers.”
_October 24th._--The heaviest blow which has yet been inflicted on
the administration of justice in the United States, and that is
saying a good deal at present, has been given to it in Washington.
The judge of whom I wrote a few days ago in the _habeas corpus_
case, has been placed under military arrest and surveillance by
the Provost-Marshal of the city, a very fit man for such work, one
Colonel Andrew Porter. The Provost-Marshal imprisoned the attorney
who served the writ, and then sent a guard to Mr. Merrick’s house,
who thereupon sent a minute to his brother judges the day before
yesterday stating the circumstances, in order to show why he did
not appear in his place on the bench. The Chief Judge Dunlop and
Judge Morsell thereupon issued their writ to Andrew Porter greeting,
to show cause why an attachment for contempt should not be issued
against him for his treatment of Judge Merrick. As the sharp tongues
of women are very troublesome, the United States officers have quite
little harems of captives, and Mrs. Merrick has just been added
to the number. She is a Wickliffe of Kentucky, and has a right to
martyrdom. The inconsistencies of the Northern people multiply _ad
infinitum_ as they go on. Thus at Hatteras they enter into terms of
capitulation with officers signing themselves of the Confederate
States Army and Confederate States Navy; elsewhere they exchange
prisoners; at New York they are going through the farce of trying
the crew of a C.S. privateer, as pirates engaged in robbing on the
high seas, on “the authority of a pretended letter of marque from one
Jefferson Davis.” One Jeff Davis is certainly quite enough for them
at present.
Colonel and Senator Baker was honoured by a ceremonial which was
intended to be a public funeral, rather out of compliment to Mr.
Lincoln’s feelings, perhaps, than to any great attachment for the
man himself, who fell gallantly fighting near Leesburg. There is
need for a republic to contain some elements of an aristocracy if it
would make that display of pomp and ceremony which a public funeral
should have to produce effect. At all events there should be some
principle of reverence in the heads and hearts of the people, to
make up for other deficiencies in it as a show, or a ceremony. The
procession down Pennsylvania Avenue was a tawdry, shabby string
of hack carriages, men in light coats and white hats following
the hearse, and three regiments of foot soldiers, of which one was
simply an uncleanly, unwholesome-looking rabble. The President,
in his carriage, and many of the ministers and senators, attended
also, and passed through unsympathetic lines of people on the
kerbstones, not one of whom raised his hat to the bier as it passed,
or to the President, except a couple of Englishmen and myself who
stood in the crowd, and that proceeding on our part gave rise to
a variety of remarks among the bystanders. But as the band turned
into Pennsylvania Avenue, playing something like the _minuet de la
cour_ in Don Giovanni, two officers in uniform came riding up in the
contrary direction; they were smoking cigars; one of them let his
fall on the ground, the other smoked lustily as the hearse passed,
and reining up his horse, continued to puff his weed under the nose
of President, ministers, and senators, with the air of a man who was
doing a very soldierly correct sort of thing.
Whether the President is angry as well as grieved at the loss of his
favourite or not, I cannot affirm, but he is assuredly doing that
terrible thing which is called putting his foot down on the judges;
and he has instructed Andrew Porter not to mind the writ issued
yesterday, and has further instructed the United States Marshal, who
has the writ in his hands to serve on the said Andrew, to return it
to the court with the information that Abraham Lincoln had suspended
the writ of _habeas corpus_ in cases relating to the military.
_October 26th._--More reviews. To-day rather a pretty sight--12
regiments, 16 guns, and a few squads of men with swords and pistols
on horseback, called cavalry, comprising Fitz-John Porter’s
division. M‘Clellan seemed to my eyes crestfallen and moody to-day.
Bright eyes looked on him; he is getting up something like a staff,
among which are the young French princes, under the tutelage of their
uncle, the Prince of Joinville. Whilst M‘Clellan is reviewing, our
Romans in Washington are shivering; for the blockade of the Potomac
by the Confederate batteries stops the fuel boats. Little care these
enthusiastic young American patriots in crinoline, who have come to
see M‘Clellan and the soldiers, what a cord of wood costs. The lower
orders are very angry about it however. The nuisance and disorder
arising from soldiers, drunk and sober, riding full gallop down
the streets, and as fast as they can round the corners, has been
stopped, by placing mounted sentries at the principal points in all
the thoroughfares. The “officers” were worse than the men; the papers
this week contain the account of two accidents, in one of which a
colonel, in another a major, was killed by falls from horseback, in
furious riding in the city.
Forgetting all about this fact, and spurring home pretty fast along
an unfrequented road, leading from the ferry at Georgetown into the
city, I was nearly spitted by a “dragoon,” who rode at me from under
cover of a house, and shouted “stop” just as his sabre was within
a foot of my head. Fortunately his horse, being aware that if it
ran against mine it might be injured, shied, and over went dragoon,
sabre and all, and off went his horse, but as the trooper was able to
run after it, I presume he was not the worse; and I went on my way
rejoicing.
M‘Clellan has fallen very much in my opinion since the Leesburg
disaster. He went to the spot, and with a little--nay, the
least--promptitude and ability could have turned the check into
a successful advance, in the blaze of which the earlier repulse
would have been forgotten. It is whispered that General Stone, who
ordered the movement, is guilty of treason--a common crime of unlucky
generals--at all events he is to be displaced, and will be put under
surveillance. The orders he gave are certainly very strange.
The official right to fib, I presume, is very much the same all over
the world, but still there is more dash about it in the States,
I think, than elsewhere. “Blockade of the Potomac!” exclaims
an official of the Navy Department. “What are you talking of?
The Department has just heard that a few Confederates have been
practising with a few light field-pieces from the banks, and has
issued orders to prevent it in future.” “Defeat at Leesburg!” cries
little K----, of M‘Clellan’s staff, “nothing of the kind. We drove
the Confederates at all points, retained our position on the right
bank, and only left it when we pleased, having whipped the enemy
so severely they never showed since.” “Any news, Mr. Cash, in the
Treasury to-day?” “Nothing, sir, except that Mr. Chase is highly
pleased with everything; he’s only afraid of having too much money,
and being troubled with his balances.” “The State Department all
right, Mr. Protocol?” “My dear sir! delightful! with everybody, best
terms. Mr. Seward and the Count are managing delightfully; most
friendly assurances; Guatemala particularly; yes, and France too.
Yes, I may say France too; not the smallest difficulty at Honduras;
altogether, with the assurances of support we are getting, the
Minister thinks the whole affair will be settled in thirty days;
no joking, I assure you; thirty days this time positively. Say for
exactness on or about December 5th.” The canvas-backs are coming in,
and I am off for a day or two to escape reviews and abuse, and to see
something of the famous wild-fowl shooting on the Chesapeake.
_October 27th._--After church, I took a long walk round by the
commissariat waggons, where there is, I think, as much dirt, bad
language, cruelty to animals, and waste of public money, as can be
conceived. Let me at once declare my opinion that the Americans,
generally, are exceedingly kind to their cattle; but there is a
hybrid race of ruffianly waggoners here, subject to no law or
discipline, and the barbarous treatment inflicted on the transport
animals is too bad even for the most unruly of mules. I mentioned the
circumstance to General M‘Dowell, who told me that by the laws of the
United States there was no power to enlist a man for commissariat or
transport duty.
_October 28th._--Telegraphed to my friend at Baltimore that I was
ready for the ducks. The Legation going to Mr. Kortwright’s marriage
at Philadelphia. Started with Lamy at 6 o’clock for Baltimore; to
Gilmore House; thence to club. Every person present said that in
my letter on Maryland I had understated the question, as far as
Southern sentiments were concerned. In the club, for example, there
are not six Union men at the outside. General Dix has fortified
Federal Hill very efficiently, and the heights over Fort McHenry are
bristling with cannons, and display formidable earthworks; it seems
to be admitted that, but for the action of the Washington Government
the Legislature would pass an ordinance of Secession. Gilmore
House--old-fashioned, good bed-rooms. Scarcely had I arrived in the
passage, than a man ran off with a paragraph to the papers that Dr.
Russell had come for the purpose of duck-shooting; and, hearing that
I was going with Taylor, put in that I was going to Taylor’s Ducking
Shore. It appears that there are considerable numbers of these duck
clubs in the neighbourhood of Baltimore. The canvas-back ducks
have come in, but they will not be in perfection until the 10th of
November; their peculiar flavour is derived from a water-plant called
wild celery. This lies at the depth of several feet, sometimes nine
or ten, and the birds dive for it.
_October 29th._--At ten started for the shooting ground, Carroll’s
Island; my companion, Mr. Pennington, drove me in a light trap, and
Mr. Taylor and Lamy came with Mr. Tucker Carroll[7], along with guns,
&c. Passed out towards the sea, a long height commanding a fine view
of the river; near this was fought the battle with the English, at
which the “Baltimore defenders” admit they ran away. Mr. Pennington’s
father says he can answer for the speed of himself and his
companions, but still the battle was thought to be glorious. Along
the posting road to Philadelphia, passed the Blue Ball Tavern; on all
sides except the left, great wooded lagoons visible, swarming with
ducks; boats are forbidden to fire upon the birds, which are allured
by wooden decoys. Crossed the Philadelphia Railway three times; land
poor, covered with undergrowths and small trees, given up to Dutch
and Irish and free niggers. Reached the duck-club-house in two hours
and a half; substantial farm-house, with out-offices, on a strip of
land surrounded by water; Gunpowder River, Saltpetre River, facing
Chesapeake; on either side lakes and tidal water; the owner, Slater,
an Irishman, reputed very rich, self-made. Dinner at one o’clock; any
number of canvas-back ducks, plentiful joints; drink whisky; company,
Swan, Howard, Duval, Morris, and others, also extraordinary specimen
named Smith, believed never to wash except in rain or by accidental
sousing in the river. Went out for afternoon shooting; birds wide and
high; killed seventeen; back to supper at dusk. M‘Donald and a guitar
came over; had a negro dance; and so to bed about twelve. Lamy got
single bed; I turned in with Taylor, as single beds are not permitted
when the house is full.
_October 30th._--A light, a grim man, and a voice in the room at 4
a.m. awaken me; I am up first; breakfast; more duck, eggs, meat,
mighty cakes, milk; to the gun-house, already hung with ducks, and
then tramp to the “blinds” with Smith, who talked of the Ingines and
wild sports in far Minnesota. As morning breaks, very red and lovely,
dark visions and long streaky clouds appear, skimming along from
bay or river. The men in the blinds, which are square enclosures of
reeds about 4½ feet high, call out “Bay,” “River,” according to the
direction from which the ducks are coming. Down we go in blinds; they
come; puffs of smoke, a bang, a volley; one bird falls with flop;
another by degrees drops, and at last smites the sea; there are five
down; in go the dogs. “Who shot that?” “I did.” “Who killed this?”
“That’s Tucker’s!” “A good shot.” “I don’t know how I missed mine.”
Same thing again. The ducks fly prodigious heights--out of all range
one would think. It is exciting when the cloud does rise at first.
Day voted very bad. Thence I move homeward; talk with Mr. Slater till
the trap is ready; and at twelve or so, drive over to Mr. M‘Donald;
find Lamy and Swan there; miserable shed of two-roomed shanty in a
marsh; rough deal presses; white-washed walls; fiddler in attendance;
dinner of ducks and steak; whisky, and thence proceed to a blind or
marsh, amid wooden decoys; but there is no use; no birds; high tide
flooding everything; examined M‘Donald’s stud; knocked to pieces
trotting on hard ground. Rowed back to house with Mr. Pennington,
and returned to the mansion; all the party had but poor sport; but
every one had killed something. Drew lots for bed, and won this time;
Lamy, however, would not sleep double, and reposed on a hard sofa in
the parlour; indications favourable for ducks. It was curious, in
the early morning, to hear the incessant booming of duck-guns, along
all the creeks and coves of the indented bays and saltwater marshes;
and one could tell when they were fired at decoys, or were directed
against birds in the air; heard a salute fired at Baltimore very
distinctly. Lamy and Mr. M‘Donald met in their voyage up the Nile, to
kill _ennui_ and spend money.
_October 31st._--No, no, Mr. Smith; it an’t of no use. At four a.m.
we were invited, as usual, to rise, but Taylor and I reasoned from
under our respective quilts, that it would be quite as good shooting
if we got up at six, and I acted in accordance with that view.
Breakfasted as the sun was shining above the tree-tops, and to my
blind--found there was no shooting at all--got one shot only, and
killed a splendid canvas-back--on returning to home, found nearly
all the party on the move--140 ducks hanging round the house, the
reward of our toils, and of these I received egregious share. Drove
back with Pennington, very sleepy, followed by Mr. Taylor and Lamy. I
would have stayed longer if sport were better. Birds don’t fly when
the wind is in certain points, but lie out in great “ricks,” as they
are called, blackening the waters, drifting in the wind, or with
wings covering their heads--poor defenceless things! The red-head
waits alongside the canvas-back till he comes up from the depths
with mouth or bill full of parsley and wild celery, when he makes at
him and forces him to disgorge. At Baltimore at 1.30--dined--Lamy
resolved to stay--bade good-bye to Swan and Morris. The man at
first would not take my ducks and boots to register or check
them--twenty-five cents did it. I arrived at Washington late, because
of detention of train by enormous transport; labelled and sent out
game to the houses till James’s fingers ached again. Nothing doing,
except that General Scott has at last sent in resignation. M‘Clellan
is now indeed master of the situation. And so to bed, rather tired.