Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-05-13
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY OF US.

IN recent number Uf " The (klchnlund, Va, J
South" We find letter written from Aiken, s. c. most
of which has reference to district or mt least to
the Ridge and Mt Willing portions of it. This is
what the writer says of the Ridge:
Never was more agrecnbly surprised mt the aspect
of any country than after completing the first fifteen
or twenty miles Of my journey. l was on what is
called the Ridge. It fine, open country, extend
ing far AWAY to the headwaters of the Saluda had
afterwards opportunities Of seeing many portions of
it, and thought it altogether the finest country lhad
ever seen in the South. 1t il n very open country,
dotted over with farm houses. with every sign of thrift
and abundance to greet the eye and crossed by
rn stage roals leading to the cities of Augusta and
Columbia, and the smaller towns. A good deal Of
cotton is raised here. The lands very cheap they
may he rted ut from eight to fifteen dollars per
The timber of PORTIONS of this country-thc heaviest
have ever scen-must prove great resource.
We think ten dollars the minimum and trenfy the
maximum, per acre, for land in this part Of dis
trct it certainly is the for tho first twenty miles
of the road leading from Edgcfeld C. H., to Columbia.
The writer next notices the (then) penling election
to fill the vacancy in Congross oocasioned by the
death of Hon. P s BROOKS, and adds feeling tribute
to his memory. The crowded condition of our col
umns prevents our giving Of this letter than the
concluding portion, in which the Mt. Willing Bata-
lion Reviews spoken of in terms highly appaudatory
While in the neighborhood of Leesville, wont out
some fifteen miles, to Mt. Willing, to witness batta
ion muster of the militia which only takes place once
ycar The militia law in this State is very rgidly en-
forced and the consequence s that South Carolina has,
by far no doubt the hest disciplined and most seryicea
bic militia Of any Of the other States tell you, l
felt ashamed to recollcct the old field musters in Nir
gina. and their fnrcical appearance on seeing the
display at Mt. Willing. There were somesx hundred
men ON parade The cavalry were all i'll uniform,
and their officer, Capt. A. D. BATES, splendid look
ing fellow, would have cut figure even among the
regulars. The infantry were all provided with mus
kets, and they executed several difficult movements
with precision that was astonishing. wish q Yam
kee could have seen the drill and appearance of the
men; the threat, hereafter, of whipping into the
traces this little State that Mr. SUMNER says, lies
bowling" might not be repeated so fippantly.
At the conclusion of the parade, Major JOHN r.
Bates in returning his thanks for his recent election
by the companies to that rank, made very happy
speech, which was received with immense favor lie
alluded to the unhappy state of the Country rs FUR
nshing the strongest reasons for keeping up the mill
tary organization, and cherishing military spirit
in tho State 1t was proper to be prepared for the
impending conflict. He would insure the Northern
Abolitionsts in tho event of invasion, "friendy"
or otherwise of South Carolina territory, hospitabe
graves and If they still pcrsevered in their assaults
on the right and honor of the South he could still
insure that for erery Sumner there eoud be found
Brooks.
The speech is reported to have been received with
"thrcc times three" which we doubt not M we have
heard several persons speak Of it rs very pretty Ell
fort on the part of spirited young Major But as
to the 'muskets with which the men are "prorided'
there we are in doubt. It didn't use-o-Jeso when
VIZ Ind the honor of stridinc over that same field
high pirate. But maybe Improvements haro taken
place that we wot not of. This much we can say
though: that the compliments to the strength and
spirit and manliness of tho Battalion arc richly de-
served.