From Washington, the sound comes to us on the breeze, of thousands of exultant voices, "Three cheers for Rhode Island," as the quota of that gallant little State marched proudly along, the first battalion escorting the second, which had just landed. The continental color was carried by the second battalion, and was cheered by the multitude, also cheer on cheer went up for the ladies who marched bravely with the file closers of two companies, the "Florence Nightingales," who had left their homes and friends to minister to the wants of suffering soldiers on the field of battle, though many patriotic ladies, in different places, had enrolled their names as nurses," to go at any time whenever their services were needed, yet these were the first which had arrived in Washington. 66 As we progress in this "History," we shall devote, here and there, a bright page to the deeds of daring performed by "heroic" ladies in the din of battle, amidst the roar of cannon and the blaze of musketry, which will show that they possessed" stout hearts," second to none of the olden time. The baggage train brought up the rear, and Rhode Island had the honor of bringing the best uniformed, armed, and equipped regiment which had arrived in Washington. When Governor Sprague (of Rhode Island) issued his call for volunteers, about three times the number required presented themselves. To choose from these the number wanted, in the first place every man was subjected, as in the United States regular army, to a careful examination by surgeons. If any defect or infirmity was discovered, the man was set aside. In one instance a stout, built, well-made man, weighing 175 pounds, who told the surgeon he could throw him out of the window, was told, "You can't pass, sir, one of your lungs is diseased." Another, who supposed 66 himself all right, after a little hesitation was set aside by the surgeon. "What's the matter with me," he said, ain't I healthy?" "Y-e-s!" was the reply. "Then why can't I go?" Turning down a chair, the surgeon replied, "If you'll jump over that chair you may." The recruit made a resolute dash at the chair, but landed on his back. His legs were not equal to it, so he couldn't go. After this rigorous examination had thrown aside all the unsound men, there still remained one half more than were wanted, and military officers made a second selection, leaving out one third of the number. Governor Sprague, who went in command, though a civilian, had been for years a diligent student of military science, and also had opportunity for personal obseṛvation of military operations in the late Italian war, so that he is well versed in the theoretical knowledge. Among the officers of the Rhode Island regiment were Col. Burnside and Major Slocumb, who had both seen service and attained a high reputation in the United States regular army. The people of this gallant little State are the "counterpart" of her governor, who, as he bade farewell to his friends on the pier, said, " For every man that falls send ten, and don't spare the money." On the march of the Rhode Island regiment through Maryland, a slave attached himself to the command and followed them until they camped. As soon as the fact was made known to Col. Burnside, he at once directed the return of the slave to his master. In many instances the slaves along the route from Annapolis to the Junction entreated the Rhode Islanders to take them along with them, but were invariably refused. The Massachusetts regiment, the Sixty-ninth New York Regiment, as well as the Fifth Pennsylvania Regiment, met with similar instances, and as in the case of Col. Burnside, the return of the slaves to their masters was directed as soon as the discovery of their presence was made. In all three instances the slaves followed these regiments several miles on their march. In contrast with this, we learn from a Virginia paper that one of the recently raised Virginia companies, numbering one hundred, was composed entirely of the free negroes of Petersburg, and were presented with a beautiful Confederate States flag, made by the Petersburg ladies," as a token of their appreciation of the generous efforts they were about to make to achieve a successful defence of Virginia soil and principles." "Charles Tinsley, one of their number, stepped forward to receive the flag, and in reply said: 'We are willing to aid Virginia's cause to the utmost extent of our ability. We do not feel that it is right for us to remain here idle, when white gentlemen are engaged in the performance of work at Norfolk that is more suitable to our hands, and of which it is our duty to relieve them. There is not an unwilling heart among us, not a hand but will tell in the work before us; and we promise unhesitating obedience to all orders that may be given to us.' In reference to the flag, he said, 'I could feel no greater pride, no more genuine gratification, than to be able to plant it first upon the ramparts of Fortress Monroe.' "This patriotic speech was received with a general outburst of cheering and applause. "The men were then marched down Sycamore Street to the tune of Dixie,' to the depot, where, in the presence of an immense crowd of darkies, they took their departure for Norfolk." An intelligent lady, writing from one of the larger towns in the northern part of Georgia, under date of April 22d, says: "I have been intending to write for several days, but + : I am so excited and troubled that I have not much heart for any thing. The war is the all-absorbing topic now. Enlisting, drilling, etc., is the employment of the men. Four companies are fitting out from here. Even the cultivated and wealthy citizens are joining the army. Most of the lawyers are going. One of our clergymen preached to the soldiers yesterday. A collection was taken up last Sabbath to aid in fitting out the companies. There is much prayer for the Confederate States and army, and they confidently expect to be victorious. They abuse Lincoln as weak, treacherous, and villainous. Many here appear to think the northern soldiers cowardly and contemptible. To hear the northern people called all kinds of abusive names is trying enough, but to have friends whom I love fighting other near and dear friends, is torturing. These men will fight to the death, and what will be gained in the end? "A system of privateering will soon be commenced, and piracy and murder will follow in the train. "Great rejoicings were manifested at the secession of Virginia. The rest of the slave States are expected soon to follow her example." At West Point, Ga., a company of Jews were organized, and an oath taken by the members, requiring half an hour in the reading, breathing fearful "retribution." A splendid banner was presented to the company, bearing the words "Jehovah nissi"-"God is with us," and the Ensign, on receiving it, took a solemn oath to plant it on the Capitol at Washington, or die in the attempt. -- A gentleman from Richmond gives the following as samples of the speeches to the troops in that city: "He listened to one man who publicly stated that the Seventh Regiment had been cut to pieces in the streets of Annapolis, and that he himself saw more than one hundred of their dead bodies lying in the streets of that city. Another man he heard assure the crowd that the Massachusetts vagabonds (her glorious volunteers) had been quartered in the capitol at Washington, and had amused themselves by running their bayonets through the pictures which adorned it, and that the rich hangings of the different rooms had been pulled down, and made into blankets and wrappers for the use of the troops. "Another man, who was organizing a corps of infantry, told them they had nothing to do but to march to glory and wealth. What,' said he, 'could a northern army do on our sterile hills; they would starve to death. But you,' he continued, 'have but to march to Washington, and lay that in ashes; then to Philadelphia, which is rich in all kinds of wealth; from that through all the North; there is a village every five miles, and every village has a bank, and every bank has a vault of specie, and you have but to help yourselves."" We copy the following from the Petersburg (Va.) Express, showing that the destruction of vessels and munitions of war at the Norfolk Navy Yard was far from complete, and that the rebels obtained much useful material to assist their treasonable designs, which, although considered of little consequence by government, in the hands of the Confederates were converted into powerful engines of war. Particularly is this demonstrated in the case of the Merrimac : "The Plymouth will be gotten into the dock to-day, and will soon be ready for service. The falling of the large shears on the Germantown-intended for her utter destruction did her much less damage than was feared, while, by carrying away her masts and rigging, it saved her from ruin by conflagration; they have already commenced raising her. The Merrimac is, probably, more injured; but it is believed that she may still be turned to good account. Besides, she has 30,000 pounds of powder in her magazine, which, although |