The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-11 00:00:00

TTiE CONFEDERATE STATES.

(F 7 om an Occasional Correspondent of the limes.)
CHARLESTON, March 4.
On the 14th of January we sailed from Nassau for
Charleston, and on the following day were caught
in ono of those terrific gales which burst with such
fury over that part of the Atlantic which lies imme-
diately to the north of the Bahamas. The tempest
sr,bsided on the 17th as we got nearer the land, but
we had left the tepid waters of the Gulf Stream, and
the air became bitterly cold. A biting north-east wind
swept over the deck, and the sleet and rain fell inces-
santly. it seemed impossible for us ever to get warm,
and our teeth chattered as if we had a shivering fir.
:But in the morning we saw in the hazy distance the
shore of South Carolina, and then shortly afterwards
the low, dark hull of one of the blockading ships.
This was a fresh source of anxiety, and great was
our relief when we found that we had not been ob-
served. We passed the vessel, and got in safely half
a mile ahead up the channel. We had scarcely done
SO when the look-outs whispered " Two more for-
ward." We thought ye had eluded them also, but
we were mistaken. A bright flash, the rush of a ball
over head, and then the loud report of a gun let us
know that the fleet was aware of our presence. Then
rockets were discharged on all sides, and more guns
were fired. We were within no great distance of the
bar that guards the entrance of Charleston, some four
miles or so from Fort Sumter, inside of which the
hostile fleet never venture. In another 10 minutes
we should have been perfectly safe; but as we
approached two more ships were seen lying right in
the narrow channel over the bar, through which it
was necessary to pass. The captain hesitated about
proceeding further, and so nervous did he become
that he turned the ship's head round and ran her
out to sea again. She was followed by a howling
pick of cruisers, but speed, good luck, and darkness
favoured us, and by daybreak we were some 30
miles from shore, tossing about again in the Gulf
Stream. The same programme was gene through
next day, and then we had to return to Nassau for
coals. Under another Captain we returned on Jan.
29th to try our fortune again, and this time there
was no hesitation. " Charleston, or beach her,"said
our new commander, and in one hour we ran through
the channel, and arrived safe and sound under the
guns of Fort Beauregard.
I had good reason to feel gratified with my recep-
tion at Charleston. I staid about a week in the town,
visiting all places of interest, making friends, and
enjoying Southern hospitality. One's first idea,
after speaking to the people, was that they are an
intolerable set of boasters ; but I came to form a
better opinion of them. I found that they never ex-
press resolutions without making a determined
effort to carry out their purposes, The more I see
of the Southern ladies, and the more I hear of their
actions, the more I wonder at their heroism and self-
sacrifice, Words, indeed, cannot express any ad-
miration for them. The war could not have gone
on Without them. The women of all classes have
sent, without a murmur, their husbands, sons, and
those they hold raost dear to the war; and in the
absence of the men they have tilled the fields, made
clothes for tha troops, and nursed the sick. When
I consider the firmness of purpose and spirit of self-
sacrifice with the empty bragging and indifference
so prevalent in the Nortb, I have no doubt of the
issue of the struggle. The Federals may bring
three millions of men into the field, but the South
will never be vanquished, On the 31st of January,
two days after my arrival, the ironclads went out
from Charleston and considerably damaged the
blockading fleet. Of course we were ail much in-
terested in the event, and the capture of a ship-of-
war carrying nine guns up one of the rivers the day
before wonderfully raised the spirits of the people of
Charleston. At the end of the week I started for
Richmond, bearing letters of introduction from En-
gland to some of the principal men, and farther forti-
fied with additional recommendations from my
friends in Charleston. The journey by rail, of 500
miles, was very tedious, as the rails and rolling
stock are in very bad order, there having been no
importations of material since the blockade. The
speed of the trains has in consequence been greatly
moderated to prevent accidents. However,
I arrived safe in the capital of the Confederacy
on the 13th of February. The pity is one
great camp, and every one is endeavour-
ing to obtain an appointment in the army.
I saw at once that the chances of an Englishman
getting a military appointment were very small. I
paid a visit to the Secretary of War and other in-
fluential men, and received from all of them that
kindness and courtesy so distinctive in the South-
ern gentleman. I brought out from Nassau a box
of goods for Gen. Stonewall Jackson, and he asked
me when I was at Richmond to come to his camp
and see him. I left the city one morning about 7
o'clock, and about 10 landed at a station distant
about eight or nine miles from Jackson's, or, as his
men call him, Old Jack's camp. A heavy fall of
snow had covered the country for some time before
to the depth of a foot, and formed a crust over the
Virginian mud, which is quite as villainous as tha

of Balaclava. The day before had been mild and
wet, and my journey was made in a drenching
shower, which soon cleared away the white mantle
of snow. You cannot imagine the Slough of De-
spond I had to pass through. Wet to the skin, I
stumbled through mud, I waded through creeks, I
passed through pine woods, and at last I got into
camp about 2 o'clock. I then made my way to a
small houEe occupied by the General as his head-
quarters. I wrote down my name and gave it to
the orderly, and I was immediately told to walk
in. The General rose and greeted me warmly. I
expected to Lee an old untidy recto, and was most
agreeably surprised and pleased with his appear-
ance. He is tall, handsome, and powerfully built,
but thin. He has brown hair and a brown beard.
His mouth expresses great determination. Thelips
are thin and compressed firmly together; his eyes
are blue and dark, with a keen searching expres-
sion. I was told that his age was 38, and he looks
about 40. The General, who is indescribably simple
and unaffected in all his Ways, took off my wet
overcoat with his own hands, made up the fire,
brought wood for me to put my feet on to keep
them warm while my boots were drying, and
then began to ask me questions on various sub-

jects. At the dinner hour we went out and joined the

members of his Staff. At this meal the General said
grace in a fervent, quiet manner, which struck me

ranch. After dinner I returned to his room, and he

again talked to me for a long time. The servant
!alma in and took his mattress out of a cupboard and
laid it on the floor. As I rose to retire the General
said, " Captain, there is plenty of room in my bed ;
I hope son will share it with me," I thanked him
avnerdyslmepucthinforah.is courtesy, but said " Good night,"
tent, sharing the blankets of one of
his aides-decamp. In
the
time 1 noticed that the Ge morning at breakfast
er
lal said grace before the
meal with the same fervourhad remarked before.
An hour or two afterwards
oitwaasu
was time for me to re-
a
turnhorse ,to the
and I stationthis ec
however, I had
turned up to the General's ner quarters
to bid him adieu. His little room wasavrgtBc
stepped in and stood before the fire. I ther, s°
I
my greatcoat stretched before it on a chair. Shortedil°ticed
afterwards the General entered the room. He
said,
" Captain, I have been trying to dry your greatcoat,
but I am afraid I have not succeeded very well."
That little act illustrates the man's character. With
the cares and responsibilities of a vast army on his
shoulders he finds time to do little acts of kindness

and thoughtfulness which make him the darling of
his men, who never seem to tire of talking of him.
Gen. Jackson is a man of great endurance; he drinks

nothing stronger than water, and never uses tobacco
or any stimulant. He has been known to ride for
three days and nights at a time, and if there is any
labour to be undergone, he never fails to take his
share of it. I thought of entering the army as a
volunteer, as many Englishmen have done, but I

have had the unexpected good luck to receive an
appointment in the inspecting department• Ise.

lected Charleston as the scene of try labours, my
reason being that the whole force of the Yankee
armada is about to ba thrown against this portion of
the State. I accordingly returned to this place, and
I an' now awaiting the fight. I have very good
134Y' enjoy en excellent table, and am accommodated