Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1861-08-29

1t Is understood that Gems Low
ring, Wise, Andersen, and Lee
are concentrating their respective
divisions at a place called the Big
Springs, about twenty miles from
this place. 1t is understood that
we move to that place tomorrow
II will write again when an oppor-
tunity is presented, which viii moi
be often in these mountains.
| am yours respectfully,
Pro ARTS En- FOCIS.
MARLING VALLEY CAMP, Aug.17,'6 1
Mr. Editof:-After numberless
ups and downs (most of them
.downs,) we halted at this place
called Marllng Valley, but in re
atty Mud Valley, tie very last
place in the world, and 1 am Of
the opinion that we are near the
jumping off spot. We had some
trials getting here. We were
dragged from one horse stall to
another until We arrived at Staun
ton, and then we footed it from
that place to this orc a distance
Of 80 miles, ard old Flint Lock
come very near giving up the
ghost, and If it had not been for
the superabundance of patriotism
that be had aboard he would have
caved. But l am now prepared
to walk anywhere or any distance.
Ny feet have growed cut again.
and the bottom is now so thick
that the rocks and mountains of
Western Virginia can make no
impression on them. / have seen
nothing attractive in this country
but Rattle Snakes, and they are
-eternaily rafting and making q
fellow jump out Of his skin. One
of the soldiers ahead of our rcgi-
ment killed five by his tent and
one in it. l have read a great
deal about the romantic scenery
of Western Virginia, and | have
come tothe conclusion that the midi
viduals that wrote such stuff new
er had the extraordinary pleasure
of wearing their feet off to the
ankles walking over the noun
tains to see the romantic scenery as
ibid, or they wrote such stuff,
to gull the other people after they
had been gulled. assert upon
the honor of man who is a long
way from home, and very good
Of getting into a battle
soon, that there is no romance in
Western Virginia or any scenery
to be seen. | have seen one or
two citizens since we have been
here, and they locked like Egyp-I
tam mummics Just excavated from
their graves after Being dead for
hundred years or lnose.
| do not wish to convey the idea
that ]. am dissatisfied with the
country, not by any means. am
well pleased with it. Il have the
satisfaction of knowing that in a
month from now we will be per-
feotly safe from the enemy, because
the roads, l understand, cannot be
travelled either horseback or foot
back owing to the rains, snow and
ice. You never will hear from
old Flint Lock after September un-
til Spring, for | intend to get me
a jug Of old tansle foot, or In plain
language Wbiskey, and then enter
the torpid state in conjunction with
the Rattle Snakes and hibernate un-
til Spring. We have no news, we |
get more, and Cont want any, fer |
it would do no good In this coun-
try. We are concentrating a large
force here. We have Gems Lee,
Loring, Donaldson, and Anderson,
men who possess cur utmost conf
lence, and the confidence of the
entire army, and you may be as
surcd that with such leaders victo-
" will perch upon our standard.
All that we are afraid Of is that
he enemy will not stand and face
he music. There is some sick
less, but not great deal; none Sc
'ious or dangerous, and l think af-
er the boys get their hides dry
nee more, all viii be right. There
vas a god-send in camp yesterday
he O5sercer came to hand, and /
vas as glad to see it as | could be. ;