Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-07-08

Letter from the Northern Neck or Va.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette.
WOOD GROVE, KING GEORGE COUNTY Va,
July 6, lS58.--After ten months of almost
uninterrupted application to my duties in
your city, took passage in the old steamer
Columbia, on Wednesday last, for sQjourn
of some weeks in this section Uf the country.
My physical pro portions had suffered consid-
cradle reduction from the effects Of the
"beated term" which came upon me before
could claim relief from my labors 10 AL
eIsndria, and for the benefit Of those friends
who may have had pae serious apprehen-
sons for my safety in the transportation of
such frail tenement, will state that the
dim and shsdowy outlines are rapidly filing
up, and / am once moro assuming the form
snd stature Of q respectfully sized man. Tie
object of this short letter, however, lie not to
Indulge in personal illusions, but to give a
sketch of such matters in this region that may
be OF come general interest to your readers
The Gazette has been heretofore furnished
with accounts of the ravages of the bail
storm which passed over this and some of
the adjoining counties. during the month Of
May. My own observations, thus far, satisfy
, me fully that those accounts were not exsg
gerated in the least. Many of the fields,
some Of them containing hundreds Of acres,
which only few weeks ago gave promise OF
luYuriant yield of wheat, and excited 10
10 80 tL, dol, al
visions OF incoming dimes, now contain
nothing but matted mass of parchcd and
witbered straw. This destruction, however,
was confined principally to the region Of tbe
Rippahannock, extending to the distance Of
somc two or three miles into the forest
The Potomac farms were not visited by the
storm; bot learn that most Of the crops 10
that section Of the county have suffered
worry materially from other disasters. The
fly, joint worm, scab, and rust have done
their work, and while there is the general
appearance Of full crop, the farmer can
make no correct estimate Of the yield until
his grain shall have been brought to the test
Of the threshing box aud the bushel. The
corn crops are looking well and promising
bu. learn from farmer in this neghbor-
uUUu lO-1hJ, tudI tue SuluCu uuS 10 uahlue
its appearance again. 1t is to be hoped,
though, that no serious damage will be reali-
led frop this source.
A revival Of the old Militia system seems
to be very popular here, ADD has had a won
derful effect 10 arousing the martial spirit of
our citizens. The various companies Of the
county have organized in the election Of their
officers sad enrolment of their men, ready
for big turn out" on next muster day.
General nus.ers, in the country, are great o.
cssiOn,. Every one, from the least to the
greatest, and few of the women included
too, attend the parade ground on that day.
Boys look upon it as sort of summer
Christmas, got up for mere Amusement.
Ginger bread AID beer, cakes and candies
take a sudden rise, and find a ready market.
The more substantial refreshments are gene
rally served towards evening, and the day
closes with free fight" and ageneral stack
ing of men and arms.
A volunteer company was organized at
our last Court. This company will soon
equip themselves With uniforms and arms,
aud composed as it is of the flower of our
soldiery, it will, doubtless, reflect credit
upon it's members, and be a lasting ornament
to tho gallant 25th Regiment. ~ E. 3.