As the War Department has not yet condescended to give us a report
in detail of the defense of Washington, I cannot inform you, my son,
of the heroic part performed by this distinguished body of nice
young men. There was a rumor that they returned to the city, after
the siege, in a very hungry condition; but had been so saving of
their powder and lead as not to waste a single round.
Now, our quartermaster-general was not to be beaten by any of them
when there was a chance for glory. Seeing the Treasury Guard march
off with so much courage and determination, the general mounted his
war horse, and assembled a whole brigade of his employees, as
gallant fellows as ever took the field, notwithstanding little could
be said of their discipline or soldierly appearance. This gallant
brigade was called the Bushwhackers, in contradistinction to the
Beef-eaters of the War Department. There was no mistaking this
brigade, for it was armed with muskets and bill-hooks. As it moved
off for the front, as it did with no very regular step, there was a
sight seldom seen. How else could it be, with our gallant
quartermaster-general at its head, and General Rucker bringing up
the rear! After a rapid march of four miles, the brigade reached the
front; and as no enemy was in sight, and there was no use for their
powder, the men went energetically to work, and did good service in
clearing away the bushes in front of the forts, so that our gallant
defenders could have an unobstructed view of the rebels as soon as
they made their appearance.
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