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Contributions.
As the name indicates, our paper is intended
to be the soldiers' journal, through which
they will have an opportunity, at all times, to
publish their views on all subjects pertaining to
the service in which they are engaged, subject,
however, to the following restrictions : Nothing
of a personal nature between soldiers, improper
reflections upon the officers, military or medical,
of the camp, department or army. Believing
that the Government, as administered by the
present executive authority, is entitled to the re
spect, obedience and support of all who desire
the welfare and perpetuity of the nation, we will
not countenance, much less publish anything that
is calculated or intended to excite prejudice
and foment discord among those whose first duty
is obedience to those " appointed over us." No
thing of a sectarian or controversial political na
ture can be admitted to our columns, as the dis
cussion of the former can be attended by no
good, while it may produce tho opposite results,
and that of the latter is expressly forbidden,
among soldiers, in general orders. In short, we
will publish nothing but such as evinces implicit
obedience to the authorities of the general gov
ernment, the officers of the army, and breathes
unconditional fealty to the nation. All matter,
squared according to the rules we have indica
ted, contributed by the soldiers, however lame
and inelegant its diction, will be received and
published with pleasure. We earnestly invite
our brother soldiers to give this matter their im
mediate attention, and we will show our friends
at home that Uncle Sam's boys cannot only fight,
and endure hardness as good soldiers, but
write and speak like true patriots. Let us hear
from our " boys in blue " immediately and often,
but remember that as our space is somewhat
limited, brevity must be kept prominently in
view, in ordor that this department of our paper
be not monopolized by a few contributors.
We also invite contributions from all ladies
and gentlemen who wish to assist in the good
work to which this journal is devoted. Let us
have the counsels and active co-operation of the
friends of the soldiers everywhere. There is
nothing that sounds so sweet and encouraging
to the ear of the soldier as the words of cheer
which come from home. Let us have your ac
tive sympathy and support, loyal sons and
daughters of the east, west, north and south,
and the boys will fight and endure all the better
when assured of your fidelity to them and the
principles in vindication of which they are will
ing, if necessary, to lay down their lives. We
repeat it, let us hear from our friends at home.
"Armory Square Hospital Gazette."—We
have been shown a late number of a small pa
per published at the Armory Square Hospital
Washington, D. C, of the above title, and take
pleasure in recommending it to soldiers as an
interesting, spicy and ably conducted document.
The following "declaration of principles," as
the basis of its political faith, is decidedly heavy :
We believe in the honesty of Lincoln—the ability
of Chase—the firmness of Stanton—the hopeful
ness of Seward —the bravery of our Army and
Nayy —the downfall of the Rebellion—in the
Eluck and patriotism of the Yankees and the
oliness of our mission in establishing univer
sal freedom in America.
Pay for the Widows and Children of De
ceased Soldiers. —Thousands of widows and
mothers will rejoice to hear that Mr. Fenton's bill
to facilitate and hurry the payment of bounties
and arrears of pay to the heirs of the deceased
soldiers, now only awaits the action of the Senate
to become a law.
tfarou ana %\\U\li%cntt.
Temperance Meeting Extraordinary.—Although
some time has elapsed since this meeting was held, we
deem it proper that it should not pass without at least
a brief notice, as it was in every respect a* most re
markable meeting. On Wednesday evening the 3rd
inst., Mr. George H. Stewart, President of the U. S.
Christian Commission, accompanied by W. E. Dodge,
Esq., of New York City, Rev. A. E. Chamberlin, of
Cincinnatti, Rev. McCabe U. S. V. andJßev's. Matlock
and Mingins of Philadelphia, paid this camp a visit
and the resnlt was one of the most extensive meetings
that we have witnessed in the army. After the pre
liminary proceedings of organizing and opening the
meeting had been gone through with, the gentlemen
mentioned above were introduced and addressed
the audience which had filled the Church to repletion.
The remarks of the speakers were listened to with
profound attention and at times produced the utmost
enthusiasm. Chaplain McCabe's remarks, particular
ly when he referred to hts prison life in Richmond,
were received with peculiar interest by the audience,
and greeted witli th 3 wildest applause. He sung " The
Battle Hymn of the Republic " as performed in Libby
Prison by our prisoners on the occasion of the cele
bration of the Fourth of July, 1863, and invited all of
those present who had enjoyed the hospitalities of the
Richmond prisons to rise and Join him in the chorus.
More than fifty persons arose and joined him in sing
ing a song with the patriotic melody of which they
had frequently made the loathsome southern dungeons
resound In the days of their captivity. The effect of
this scene cannot be described. The audience cheered,
laughed and wept in almost the same moment. Mr.
Uniac, formerly a lawyer of New York city, but at
present a private soldier in Uncle Sam's service, de
livered a short, but stirring address, on the subject of
temperance, which was well received.
We noticed among the audience Col. McKelvy, post
commandant, several members of his staff, Colonel
Browne, President of Board of Examination, Surgeon
S. B. Hunt, Medical Director, Dr. G. L. Sutton, Exam
ining Surgeon of this camp, and a large number
of other officers, who seemed to manifest the liveliest
possible interest in the proceedings. Although the
meeting Is past and many of those who participated
in its proceedings are gone, it is to be hoped that the
good impressions which the associations of that
evening created will not be forgotten, but produce their
appropriate fruits.
Murderous Freak of Insanity.—On Saturday
evening, 6th inst., a man named James Fitzpatrlck,
confined in Deserters' Camp, committed suicide, by
cutting his throat with a razor, after having inflicted
several severe, though not dangerous wounds, upon
two other Inmates of the same tent. He had been ar
rested as a deserter from the 27th P. V., and was await
ing transportation to his regiment, which, belonging
to the Twelfth Army Corps, had been transferred to
the Western Department. The circumstances of his
situation seemed to have preyed upon his mind to
such an extent as to cause temporary insanity, while
laboring under a fit of which he committed the deed.
He was an old man, and leaves a wife and three chil
dren in Philadelphia.
A Superb Present.—We are indebted to Capt. C. F.
Hoyt, U. S. A., Commissary of Subsistence at this camp,
for the present of a splendid copy of Webster's Una
bridged Dictionary. Our thankfulness is as inexpress
ible as the work is invaluable to us, and the Captain
may rest assured that such donations, when contrib
uted to an institution devoted to such a sacred cause
as that to which The Soldiers' Journal has been
dedicated, will bring their merited reward. Again
we thank you Captain, and will show our appreciation
of your gift by its careful preservation and the hon
orable place it shall occupy in our sanctum.
Exodus of Convalescents.—ln accordance with
"Special Orders, No, 20," dated "War Department,
January 14,1864," which we publish in another column,
the transferring of the convalescents from this camp
to General Hospitals, began on Monday, the Bth inst.,
and continued until all had left. This was followed
by the breaking up of the old Distribution and Deser
ters Camps, and the transfer of their Inmates to thfs,
which, in the language of the order " will hereafter
be, and be known, as "Rendezvous of Distribution,
near Alexandria, Va,"
A Pleasant Surprise and Presentation.—The
detailed men of the Ist and 2d Divisions of this camp,
perpetrated a " surprise " on Capt. Harry B. Paxton,
theiricommanding officer, on Friday evening, sth inst,,
which reflects credit alike upon their heads and hearts.
A committee appointed by them for that purpose, re
ceived their contributions, amounting to one hundred
and sixty-one dollars, ($161,00) and purchased a sword,
belt, sash, spurs and shoulder straps, and at the time
mentioned, presented them to him with appropriate
ceremonies. The presentation speech was made, in be
half of the detailed men.by Surgeon S. B. Hunt, Medical
Director of the camp, in a few pertinent and well
timed remarks, which at different times, when refer
ing to the official and personal courtieses received by
them from their commanding officer, elicited rounds
of applause. The Captain replied In a few brief re
marks, In the expression of which he evinced a degree
of feeling too deep for utterance, thanking the men
for" the distinguished consideration with which they
had favored him, and pledging them his faith that he
would endeavor to so administer discipline that they
would never regret the confidence they had reposed in
him. The sword is a supurb affair, as the price indi
cates, and the accompanying paraphernalia is corres
pondingly beautiful and valuable. A plate on the
scabbard bears the following inscription:
" Presented to Harry B. Paxton. Captain Co. H,
sth Reg't. Penn'a. Reserve Corps, by the detailed men
of Ist and 2d Divisions, Convalescent Camp, Va., Feb.
4th, 1864."
The occasion was graced with the presence of Col.
McKelvy and a number of his staff, who seemed to
partake largely of the spirit of hilarity for which it
was remarkable.
Substantial Kindn_ss.—Capt. John A. Elison, U.
S. A., Acting Assistant Quartermaster at this camp,
has rendered us valuable and substantial aid in the
establishment of our paper by providing us with the
necessary tables, etc., for our office, for which he will
accept our thanks. To Mr. Keefer, the master carpen
ter, and those under his supervision, we owe much for
the prompt and efficient manner in which our direc
tions in reference to building these Indispensable ar
ticles were executed, and we pay them no undue com
pliment when we say that we are under positive
obligations for their friendly co-operation and assist
ance. Captain Elison, and those connected with the
carpenter and smith shops, in his department, will
consider our hat off,
A Festival. —On Saturday evening (6th,) the detailed
men of the Ist and 2d Divisions assembled in the re
ception room of the Invalid Corps Headquarters, in
response to an invitation from Capt. Harry B. Paxton,
their commanding officer, and partook of a substan
tial entertainment which he had prepared for them.
The evening was spent in eating and smoking, with
occasional musical interludes, accompanied at times
by one or more on " heel and toes." We have never
witnessed an occasion of the kind pass off with less
that was demoralizing in Its tendencies, the whole
affair being characterised by the strictest sobriety and
decorum.
Convalescing.—lt will be gratifying intelligence to
the soldiers to learn that Miss Amy M. Bradly, the
Associate Editor and Proprietress of this paper, and
Agent for the U. S. Sanitary Commission at this post,
is convalescing rapidly from the effects of her late se
vere illness. Since sickness necessitated the relin
quishment of labor, her friendly counsel and direction
have been greatly missed by those who had accounts
to adjust at the different departments at Washington,
and the boys will begin to look up when they learn
that she will soon be sufficiently recovered to resume
business.
———"B___"___B_BB__B—BBSssßßSß^___S_s —'*—
Lodge No. 4, 389 H street/between Thirteenth and
Fourteenth streets.
The " Home," 874 North Capitol street, one square
from Depot.
Paymaster General, 211 F street, near Fifteenth st.
Transportation Office, 209 G street, above Eighteenth
street.
Commutation of Rations, 209 G street, near Eigh
teenth street.
Order for Transportation for Discharged Men at 132
Pennsylvania Avenue, four doors above Nineteenth
street.
Second Auditor, Winder's Building, Seventeenth
and F streets.
Adjutant General's Office, near Depot, corner of I
street.
