Il8 FROM A NEW ENGLAND HILLSIDE. 



reached Washington by stealth in those 

 days of suspense, bearing dispatches which 

 conveyed to the President and the cabinet 

 from the governor of this state of ours, the 

 first news which they received of the rising 

 in the North, the good news that the boys 

 had begun that great inarch which was to 

 last four weary years. The enemy com 

 manded the city, and must have failed to 

 occupy it simply because they did not know 

 that they had but to march in and take 

 possession. And then a few hours, and the 

 news came that the troops were near by, 

 and our friend was told to watch the flag 

 staff upon the Senate end of the capitol, 

 because the flag would be displayed there 

 from the instant the boys came in sight. 

 And then a few moments more of suspense, 

 and behold the flag was flung to the breeze, 

 and Washington was saved. 



Or this fragment from a letter of April 4, 

 1865 : &quot; I thought of you all the day yester 

 day as the news of the crowning mercy came 

 rolling in. The merchants and brokers in 

 Wall street came out of their dens and sang 

 Old Hundred and John Brown. 1 &quot; Do I 

 not remember it as though it were yester 

 day ? What an inexpressible joy there was 

 in the air, and how we all tried to do what 



