American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-12-28
correspondence Of the Citizen.
CAur, NEAR LEEsBrRs. VA,
December Is. 1861.

Griffin has been elected to the Colonelcy-
made vacant by the death of Col. Burt; while
Capt. Kea rncy has been chosen our Lieut..
Colonel Major Henry has rendered his res
ignation rs Major OF this regiment, and has
been elected TO the Captaincv of the q Con-
fc1erates'' But understand up to the pres
ent time bis resignation has not been accept
ed. Col. Griffin tells nae be 5 = so valuable
and efficient an officer that he cannot well be
spared. With the thinking men of the req
irnent II Is of vital importance that our Major
be emiReDsTy qualified for his office /:
for, in the battle of Lcesburg il may de-
Yolve upon him to lead rs into battle. Such
man is Major Henry, he :. has been tried
and not found wanting :" and with all defer
ence to his opinion, submit if he had not
better reconsider this matter of resignation
\ review Of our forces took place the other
day. The regiments were drawn up side bv
side, the band Of each respectively discours-
ing music. Flags were then presented by
Gen. Evans TO the Colorels and by them to
the regiments. Appropriate speeches were
made By the General and the Colonies on
the presentation and reception of these BAN
ners after which Gen. Evans took his final
leave of us, before carrying which into eff
feet, he made short speech, highly eulogiz-
ing our brigade and expressing his regret at
their separation. Gems. Grifjtb and Hill
aad many of the citizens of Leesburg were
present on this occasion.
What influenced this presentation of flags
was to prevent, hereafter, the confounding of
our flag with the enemys. At the battle of
Manassas so similar were the stars and
stripes to the % stars and bars, that in one
Instance our own soldiers discharged volley
of musketry into the ranks of their fellow
soldiers. The principal feature of this new
flag is a large Southern cross, floating in
crimson sky.
oar new Generals have been displaying a
great deal Of activity since their arrival. Gen
Griffith has under his immediate command
our brigade while Gen. Hill has under him
all the forces in Loudon county, of whatever
character they may be.
We have been very busy in throwing mp
breastworks, having lately determined to de-
fend Lresburg to the last. Daily we are ex-
pecting battle. Recently the enemy have
been making some demonstrations, the effect
of which has been to increase our pickets
Last Friday the enemy, for a short time,
from The Maryland side, began to shell our
artillerists. Some of their shells exploded
within Fort Evans. Large squads of the
Yankees can be seen across the river. For
the last two days the enemy have been trying
to take "A reconnaissance of our troops. They
have had up as many four balloons at a
time. None of these made a very high as
cent while the safety of the balloonist was
secured by means of rope attached at one
end to the balloon, the other end of the rope
being fastened to the ground. But the Yam
KEGS, with all their inventions, cannot en-
our defeat. And as I saw the hos
tile balloon sailing over the ETHEREAL deep, I
could not but think this another evidence of
foIly-an expenditure of money and toll for
naught
have just learned that two companies of
the 2lst Miss Regiment, while out on picket
duty, captured seven Yankees, killed one,
and drove several into the river, where, I'M
doubtedly, they will stay until the voice of
the terrible angel, sounding through the
vault of heaven, arise, We dead, and come
to Judgment" shall fall upon the sleeper's
ear.
Capt. JOY. of the nth Mississippi, who is
now picketing a the river, told me the enemy
had six pieces of artillery just opposite US.
For the last few days the weather has been
very favorable for fighting; why they con-
tinue TO delay their attack is more than can
tell. 1t is getting so cold that before
long both armies will be willing to go into
winter quarters, thus tacitiy agreeing to an
armistice for the winter NOR tbs. So. if any
battling is going to take place this season, it
probably will transpire in few days.
1t has been a matter of rumor for some
days, that Gen. Beauregard would send a no.
Their brigade to cooperate with us at this
point. This is ga consummation devoutly
to be wished = for military Swans think an
attack at this place more imminent than at
Centreville; if SO, another corps of troops
would be very acceptable; and these, it is
thought, Beauregard can well afford to spare;
for, it is said, so firmly is he entrenched, so
half his present force are sufficient to keep
back the whole of McClellan's grand army
of the Potomac"
Differing from many whose opinions. per-
haps. should carry with them more weight
than mine. think the enemy will not again
attempt to cross the Potomac near Edwards
Ferry, but viii cross with their cannon at |
Chain Bridge. and then take the turnpike for
Leesburg. But unless they send the greater
part of their heavy armament against Gem
treville sim simultaneously with this flank move
ment (which is not probable), Beauregard !
would undoubtedly cut off their retreat.
London county is of the wealthiest
agricultural counties in the State, aud pos /
sesses population of $4,000; Leesburg is
its county seat. Between this point and
Alexandria was once a railroad the grade |
still remains, and with comparatively slight
expense the road could be reconstructed.
Knowing this, the enemy doubtless will make
-fx.