Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-07-17
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD.
=. -. 80 CrrroIx Va Inlu 9Th 1851

CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE STANDARD.
SUFFOLK, Va, July 18th, 1861.
Editor Of the Standard:
DRAR SIR 1t may not be unacceptable to you |
and your numerous readers to receive occasional
communication from this place. especially many
Of North Carona's noblest sons are now encamped |
in this vicinity. Suffolk has not heretofore been so
much known in every portion of North Carolina as
at present short description of the place may
not therefore, be improper.
Suffolk is the county seat of Nansemond, and is
situated at the head Of the Nansemond river and
about forty miles from its mouth. The river is not
navgable above this place. 1t is distant from Ports
mouth, by the Seaboard and Roanoke railroad
teen miles and twenty from Norfolk by the Nor
folk and Petersburg railroad Both these railroads
pass through the town. Its number of inhabitants
is about 800 1t has five churches all located near
the centre of the town. Episcopal, Baptist Meth
odst and Chistan, and an African Methodist church.
Besides the county buildings, there is also large
Hall owned by the Sons of Temperance and Mason
ic Hall. There is only one newspaper published
here-the Christian Sum- weekly, the organ of the
Christian Church South, edited by Rev. W. B. Wei
Ions. Since the present excited state of the country
commenced, the Sun has been mostly devoted to the
news of the day and an earnest advocacy of South.
ern rights it is therefore receiving liberal patron
age, learn. A more sociable, hosptable and intel.
ligent community would not be easily found in any
part of the Old Dominion, 20 noted everywhere for
its intelligence and hospitality. But my pen is wan
dering from its purpose; and return. y,
The Bird Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers
on leaving the camp of instruction at Garysbuvg
was ordered here. They secured beautiful place
town on the premises of Thos j. Kilby, Esq, and
convenient to never failing spring of cool water,
clear as our own mountain springs. Here Col. PEN
der remained with his Regiment for several weeks
until ordered to take position about twenty-five
miles distant the south side of James river and
nearly opposite Newport News. Somewhere in the
region pointed out the 3rd Regiments now encamp.
ed and being in sight of the enemy are able to wit
ness daily, their maneuverngs; the brave men COM
posing this Regiment have their blood always at
fighting heat. Should the enemy attempt landing
on the south as we'll as on the north side of the
| James, predict, that the 3rd will not be behind
the LIST in the glory which they will achieve.
The 4th Reg ment on Its arrival here encamped
about two miles from town and at the place where
the Norfolk and Petersburg the Seaboard and
Roanoke railroad. This place they called Camp
Old North State. Here they remained until the 3rd
Regiment left, and then Col Daniel removed to the
place occupied by the 3rd in order to receive the
convenences of the village and have his sick better
provided for. Since the arrival of the two Rcgi-
ments at this place they have both had number Of
cases of measles, and some diarrhoea; beside these
there has been but little sickness. Two privates
have died, one Calvin Troxler a member of Capt.
Settles company, from Rockingham county. con.
nected with the srd Regiment, and the other Ebert
Shearin, member Of Capt. Johnston's company,
from Warren county, and of the 4th Regiment
The bodies of both were sent home At present
the measles seems to be abating and there is de-
crease in the number of the sick.
You may enquire why s., pix has been selected
-l~- r. l.. 1. > - De- .k,,
would reply, that for several reasons it has beer
Judged suitable and necessary place. Should
Norfolk be attacked and an attempt be made to re
take:the Gosport Navy Yard the troops stationed
here might in an hours time be transported to Nor
folk by railroad, or should the Yankees attempt t.
land on the south side of Nansemond in the vicin
ity of Town Pigs Point, in order to get to tn
Navy Yard on the land side, the forces here by
forced march could soon be made available But az
attempt may be made to land on the south side o
James river either above or below Smithfeld, and
So their first attempt would be to get possession
the two railroads at this point and thereby cut oil
all communication between Portsmouth and Norfolk
and Petersburg and Richmond. To surely proven
such catastrophe, the soldiers are stationed now
one Regiment. the 4th here, and the 3rd togethe
with Pryor's Virginia Regiment is on the south sid
D of the James. The Petersburg Cavalry are here
and the Southampton Cavalry are in the vicinity
Smithield and act bearers of dispatches between
the different Regiments
The Bird and 4th North-Carolina Regiments an
e Pryors Virginia Regiment have been formed into
Brigade and placed under the command of Genera
Pemberton CaptPage having charge of the Artillery
Unless some change shall take place in the sup
posed programme of the enemy our soldiers vii
probably remain in this section until brought int
active service. shall therefore, should this lon
communication find favor, write you occasionally 0
:, perhaps regularly from this point. -
Thus far, think all the volunteers in this sectio
are satisfied, and the almost unusual and extraord
nary kindness of the citizens of the town and SUI
rounding country, makes them feel quite at home
Adicu for the present. GULIEL1MAS.
D For the Standard.
YORKTOWN. Va, July, 1861.
Mr.. EDITOR On yesterday reached this place
and this morning found me assigned to Irish Drill
Gas ditchng is here technically styled with my fe
t low soldiers of the "Chatham Rifles This plac
is being aboriousy fortified and will be able to sus
tain itself against very large force The soldier
either work hard drill hard one, all the while.