Our journey to Manassas was full of interest and excitement. About ten miles from Washington we came in sight of a large division of the Grand Army of the Potomac, which had started toward the enemy in obedience to the order of General McClellan. The forest on either side of the road was alive with soldiers, and their white tents were to be seen in all directions through the pine forests, while in the adjacent fields vast bodies of soldiers in their uniforms were marching and counter-marching, their bayonets glittering in the sunlight. Large bodies of cavalry were also in motion, and the air was filled with the sound of martial music and the blasts of the bugle. Soldiers not on drill were running races, playing ball, and enjoying themselves generally in every sort of sport. The spectacle was delightfully exhilarating, and especially so to men just released from the dreary confinement and drudgery of their committee rooms. CHAPTER X. THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND THE WAR (CONTINUED). The wooden guns--Conference with Secretary Stanton--His relations to Lincoln--Strife between Radicalism and Conservatism--Passage of the Homestead Law--Visit to the President--The Confiscation Act and rebel landowners--Greeley's "prayer of twenty millions," and Lincoln's reply--Effort to disband the Republican party--The battle of Fredericksburg and General Burnside--The Proclamation of Emancipation--Visit to Mr. Lincoln--General Fremont--Report of the War Committee--Visit to Philadelphia and New York--Gerrit Smith-- The Morgan Raid.