down the Bay, steamed direct for Hampden Roads. During the trip a constant drill was maintained. Arriving after dark of the second day, the lights in the light-houses were found to have been extinguished, while the dim outline of the coast was barely discernible. Moving cautiously shoreward with the leads thrown on both sides of the vessel, the channel was

Union Defence Committee,

OF THE CITIZENS OF NEW-YORK.

ded by Col. Marshall Lefferts, so long the pride of the City of New York. abandoned the ties of home and busings, and with an alacrity that

ω

men

has scarcely a paralel in military history, marched its Thousand disciplined steadily to the Capital, where it performed efficiently and faithfully all its duties, and whence it has returned, at the close of it's full term of Astorce, distinguished by the grateful commendation the decsident, and the Commanding General of the Army A detachment of 200 men of the Reserve of this Regiment, led by Captain E. L Viele, the first military body, which opened the passage, and pafsed to the City Much Credity

of

of Washington by the Lotomac River.

was

was justly accorded to that Officer. for the skills, spirit and perseve rances evinced by him on the occasions referred to "

Ex Report of June 29: 1861.
Grosser M. Wction &
Sec: Exce: Com:

It gives Umplearunc to hand you annexed transcript of proceedings of trecutive Committees in leference to the Serains performed by the Kuruthelegt and especially those so gallantly rendered dupurself in opening the Polomae Riven

at a critical moment in the Contreal

of Military Movements at Washington

Aupy Every
avery truly

found, and the steamer passed safely into the Roads and anchored under the walls of Fortress Monroe, while the commander communicated with Captain Gillis of the United States steamer Seminole. Having learned that the Seventh had gone to Annapolis, as also the Eighth Massachusetts, he decided to proceed direct to Washington by the way of the Potomac. No vessel had yet made the attempt, in consequence of the rumor that batteries had been erected along the river. Captain Gillis kindly loaned two Dahlgren howitzers with an ample supply of ammunition. These were placed at the bow of the Daylight, giving her the appearance and the effectiveness of a gunboat, and thus equipped the Contingent set out to open the way to Washington by the Potomac. All the buoys in the channel had been removed, and progress was necessarily slow. This afforded time to drill the artillery assignment in the use of the guns. They were beautiful pieces, great pets with the Navy, having been used in the attack on the Peiho forts in China, and were inscribed with that victory.

Lieu

tenant Horace Porter of the Ordnance Corps of the Army, afterward General Porter, had joined the Daylight at New York, there being no other way to reach Washington, to which place he had been ordered. To him was given command of the artillery, and with great diligence he qualified the gunners in their duties. Arriving off Fort Washington, opposite Mount Vernon, the vessel was brought to by a shot across her bow from

the fort. On going ashore the commander learned that the utmost consternation prevailed at Alexandria. Refugees were arriving every hour at the fort, and reported five guns in battery on the wharf to prevent any relief by the river going to Washington. The alternative of staying where they were or being blown out of existence was gravely presented to the commander of the detachment by the commanding officer of the fort. It was a responsible and trying position, but after a careful inspection of the vessel, finding that the boilers were protected by the coal bunkers, and having great confidence in the grape and canister of the howitzers as well as in the courage of the men, the commander determined that duty pointed the way to the capital. As the Daylight approached Alexandria. the cannon were trailed for action, muskets were loaded, and each man stood ready for the word of command that would follow the signal of hostilities from the shore. It was a serious situation. As the vessel steamed slowly by, not a word was spoken. The insurgent sentinel who paced the wharf looked steadily at the armed ranks that faced him, but uttered no sound. The flag of disunion fluttered from the staff whence Ellsworth subsequently tore it down and lost his life simultaneously with that of the man who unfurled it to the breeze; and soon the town was passed, without a word or shot being exchanged. It was better so; although a different result might have hastened the issue with advantage to the Government. At any rate the Potomac was opened and the New York Seventh had won another laurel. The next day the First Rhode Island followed the Daylight in the Bienville.

It was a dismal rainy Sabbath day (28th April) when the Daylight was

made fast at the Washington wharf. The President and Secretary of State hastened to welcome the new arrivals. They came at once to the steamer, and President Lincoln grasped the hand of every man on board, not ex

cepting the stokers and firemen, whom he called up from their work to thank them as heartily as the rest for their courage and their presence in the hour of need. A detachment of four men held a large piece of canvas at each corner to shelter the President from the rain while the handshaking took place. The next morning the regimental band with an escort

came down and escorted the Daylight reinforcements to the Capitol, and the bivouac on the floor of the Hall of Representatives.

What a scene the Capitol now presented! At the entrance cannon loaded with grape and canister were planted. Arms were stacked in the Rotunda and sentinels guarded every avenue of approach. The whole building was one vast barracks. A bakery was improvised in the basement. Thousands of barrels of flour and other provisions filled the crypt. The marble floors resounded with the constant tread of the relief guard. Every available spot within the legislative halls, the galleries and the committee rooms, was appropriated for sleeping places, and the one great fact was now established beyond all peradventure that no flag but that of the Union could ever float over that great edifice.

The monotony of daily life, if such a life could be called monotonous, was varied in numerous ways-among others were mock sessions of Congress, with all the gravity and, perhaps, more assumption of dignity than actual representatives. The proceedings would be conducted in regular order. A speaker would rap with his gavel and the House would come to order. Members from different sections would rise to debate. Innumerable and extraordinary points of order were raised, and constituted, as in many more legitimate assemblages, the principal business of the House. It was a glorious field for the display of wit and humor, and was a never-ending source of amusement. An occasional visit from the President to their spacious quarters at the Capitol was always an interesting event to the regiment. One or more cabinet officers generally accompanied him. Every day new regiments poured into Washington, until the city became one vast camp. As soon as the equipage of the Seventh could be forwarded, a camping ground was chosen and tents pitched. The regiment then left the Capitol in charge of a permanent guard. The camp of the Seventh soon became the center of attraction. The evening parades drew large crowds to Meridan Hill. Every day witnessed marked improvements in drill and discipline, and it is safe to say that a more soldierly body of men it would be difficult to find.

Then came the mysterious order for a midnight movement—to what point and for what purpose no one knew. Each man was supplied with forty rounds of ammunition and three days' rations, and at two o'clock in the morning, without music and with but one low word of command, the regiment left its camp and marching silently through the city crossed the Long Bridge into Virginia. Ellsworth's forces moved at the same time down. the river to Alexandria. The tragedy of Ellsworth's death and its speedy revenge followed quickly. It was the beginning of a long and bloody con