Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-10
The Trne southern Spirit.

The True Southern Spirit.
Our readers will be gratfed in the pcrusal of the
following interesting letter from the pen of Professor
Hcwardgo Atlanta, Georgia, which we take from
tho Southern GVederacy. i.
we give it to show the c;n. and the energy Of
our Southern people. Such people can never b.
CAMP TWO MILES NORTH OF WINCHESTER, ~,
June Goth, 1861. %
Dear TayLr, land Drug Store): Nv sudden
departure from my business in Atlanta was no less
surprise to me than it was perhaps, to my patrons
Ny brother was in Richmond with Volunteer
Company of about seventy.ive men, and learned
that he had telegraphed home for more men; that
he could not be mustered into service with his pre-
sent number went home to see about it, and
found twelve young men anxious to 20 and Join my
brothers Company, provided necessary arrang-
ment for their transportation could be made. There
was no transportation officer for volunteers in At
lanta. The young men, being the comrades of my
chidhoods home, demanded that should 60 with
them and see that their expenses were refunded to
them Thinking my brother on heavy expense,
and not able to be mustered in l FASTENED to join
him. But, before | reached Richmond learned
Col. Bartow's Regiment had been mustered IN, and
ordered to Harper's Ferry and expecting battle.
This news excited the boys, and we FASTENED on,
nothing of very particular interest occurring until
we reached Winchester, small city of about six or
seven thousand inhabitants. Here we learned that
our troops had burned all the Government buildings
and property, and blowed up the bridge. &C., at
Harper's Ferry, and was en- route for Winchester
there being no chance for fight waited all the
next day with less patience and more anxiety to
meet the boys-yea, the army-than ever expert.
enced before. About midnight, we heard that the
army was marching back that the enemy had cross
Ell the river at Williamsport a small place about
twenty-five miles above Harpers Ferry, and was
marching on Martinsburg, some twelve or fifteen
miles on the Virginia side. Next a courier came in
at full Speed and said the two armies were in ten
miles Of each other, advancing in line of battle
WE'LL Doc, have had heap of fun, seen sight
of folks, and had lots of strange feelings but it does
seem to me that was the outfeelingest man on
earth. just about the time heard that news. In
the first place, all the brothers have there;
then the Atlanta Grays, Confederate Volunteers,
Davis lnfantry-in fact out of the two Georgia
Regiments, | knew half the men--all there on the
very point of batte-L, with twelve as brave bows
as ever lived within few miles Of our friends,
begging citizens militia officers, ordinance officers,
and trying every way to get arms, and could not,
for money or love. l thought it was no time to be
fooling about military formality, and we had no
time to wait to receive orders from headquarters to
draw arms formally, knew where the arms were
guard at the door so l went up and attacked the
guard with my Bowie-knife, and the boys got their
muskets. The guard reported me to the officer of
the cay, who came Immediately to arrest me, but
told him the circumstances, he gave me his hand in
friendship, and his official signature to keep the
arms. So we FASTENED on, but had not gone far be-
fore we met a messenger, who informed Us that the
enemy had gone back, and our forces wonld make
their next headquarters at this place. Winchester.
But we kept on until we met them. Notwithstand-
ing they had been on constant march over turn
pike rocky road for 60 or 10 miles, tired and
hungry having only half-rations for several days,
the boys sent up shouts Of Joy and received with
open arms, and were clamcrous to hear the mes
sages from the loved ones at home. The Echols
Guards. from Merriwether county, Capt. C. W.
Howard, were detailed as picket guard at Harper's
Ferry, and kept their post for six days, on halfra-
tions without tents, and many without even blan-
ket. They have not received their tents yet and
have slept all the while in the open air. Not man
complained, quailed failed and are as lively this
day as ever saw them. have captured two men
that thought unsound and given them over to the
authorities"