The Soldiers' Journal from Alexandria, Virginia • Page 5

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 respect, 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." Nothing of a sectarian or controversial political nature can be admitted to our columns, as the discussion 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 government, the officers of the army, and breathes unconditional fealty to the nation. All matter, squared according to the rules we have indicated, 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 immediate 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 active 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 willing, if necessary, to lay down their lives. We repeat it, let us hear from our friends at home. "Armory Square Hospital have been shown a late number of a small paper published at the Armory Square Hospital Washington, D. 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 ability of firmness of hopefulness of Seward bravery of our Army and Nayy downfall of the the Eluck and patriotism of the Yankees and the oliness of our mission in establishing universal freedom in America.

Pay for the Widows and Children of Deceased Soldiers. 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 Temperance Meeting 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 most remarkable meeting. On Wednesday evening the 3rd Mr.

George H. Stewart, President of the U. S. Christian Commission, accompanied by W. E.

Dodge, of New York City, Rev. A. E. Chamberlin, of Cincinnatti, Rev. McCabe U.

S. V. 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 preliminary 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, particularly 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 celebration 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 singing 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, delivered 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, Examining 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 Saturday evening, 6th 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 arrested as a deserter from the 27th P. and was awaiting 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 children in Philadelphia.

A Superb are indebted to Capt. C. F. Hoyt, U. S.

Commissary of Subsistence at this camp, for the present of a splendid copy of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. Our thankfulness is as inexpressible as the work is invaluable to us, and the Captain may rest assured that such donations, when contributed 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 honorable place it shall occupy in our sanctum. Exodus of 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 and continued until all had left. This was followed by the breaking up of the old Distribution and Deserters 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 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 which reflects credit alike upon their heads and hearts. A committee appointed by them for that purpose, received 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 behalf 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 refering to the official and personal courtieses received by them from their commanding officer, elicited rounds of applause. The Captain replied In a few brief remarks, 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 indicates, and the accompanying paraphernalia is correspondingly beautiful and valuable. A plate on the scabbard bears the following inscription: Presented to Harry B. Paxton.

Captain Co. sth Reg't. Penn'a. Reserve Corps, by the detailed men of Ist and 2d Divisions, Convalescent Camp, 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 John A. Elison, U. S. 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, for our office, for which he will accept our thanks.

To Mr. Keefer, the master carpenter, and those under his supervision, we owe much for the prompt and efficient manner in which our directions in reference to building these Indispensable articles were executed, and we pay them no undue compliment when we say that we are under positive obligations for their friendly co-operation and assistance. Captain Elison, and those connected with the carpenter and smith shops, in his department, will consider our hat off, A Festival. Saturday evening (6th,) the detailed men of the Ist and 2d Divisions assembled in the reception room of the Invalid Corps Headquarters, in response to an invitation from Capt. Harry B.

Paxton, their commanding officer, and partook of a substantial 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. 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 severe illness. Since sickness necessitated the relinquishment 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. Lodge No. 4, 389 Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets. The Home," 874 North Capitol street, one square from Depot.

Paymaster General, 211 street, near Fifteenth st. Transportation Office, 209 street, above Eighteenth street. Commutation of Rations, 209 street, near Eighteenth street. Order for Transportation for Discharged Men at 132 Pennsylvania Avenue, four doors above Nineteenth street. Second Auditor, Winder's Building, Seventeenth and streets.

Adjutant General's Office, near Depot, corner of I street..