New Orleans daily crescent., 1861-07-15

| Colonel Dreux's Last kletter to his Wife.
RlcHMpSp, VA June 18th. -61
Dear Nj wrote to you long letter yester-
| day, and as if Providence wEhed to encourage me
in writing to my own dear M., received almost at
the same time long, mos welcome and long
wished for letter from you. 1t makes my heart
beat with emotions of noble patriotism when l
read the burning words of inspiration that flow
from your pen. In fact, have read few pas
sages of your letters to my fellowsolders, and
every one ardently wished that he had such q
brave and nobIe-hearted wife.
The days of political differences and party feuds
are gone, and only one spirit anmates us all. The
| invaders are at our gates and they must be re-
| PEELED. You have, doubtleFs before this read of
| the glorious victory achieved by our troops few
| days ago at Bethel Church. l have seen and con-
| versed with eye witnesses oft the battle. The
| Yankees ran away like whipped ours, leaving for
five miles all their mhskets, canteens, KNAPP
sacks, etc, on the ground. Il was perfect rout,
complete defeat. The moral effect produced by
that exploit on the part of our troops is not easily
to be estimated. The Southern volunteers are all
| awake and " eager for the fray" and Richmond
| looks like 8. champ de Mars so many soldiers
are to be seen around it. You hear nothing here
but the sound OF the drums, the piercing notes of
the fife and the rnmbing Of heavy wagons loaded
| with heavy war baggage Troops move every
| day and every hour. To tell you the truth, my
| dear, we also have to move- The orders have just
| been received by me from the Adjutant General
andsthe camp is now in stir, preparing to move,
army and baggage. We are ordered from this
place to Yorktown, within. eight miles of the
enemy's line, and with most glorious prospects OF
an early and good brush. When there we shall be
under the command of Cdl Magruder, who suc.r
ceeded SO well in his debut at Bethel Church. The
boys are delighted with the prospect before them,
and we are all in'the highest glee.
May the god of battles smile upon u.s. Cheer
up. my dear wife; | have brave hearts and strong
arms TO sustain and cheer me on, aud feel conf
dent Of the result. Many a noble of Louisiana
may fall by my side, and Imay be the first to bite
the DUST but rest assured that they will always
be worthy Of the esteem and respect of our coun-
trymen, and endeavor to deserve well of our coun-
try. When l reach Norfolk | shall write again.
and give yon ful particulars. Rest assured, until
yen hear from me, or until the telegraph gives you
bad news OF our expedition. Come what may, my
dear, belong to my country. and you know you
belong to me. One and all, all lu one, we owe our
duty and our lives TO both. We're you good and
brave a man as you are a true and noble woman,
! know would have you by my side, fighting with
all your might the base and miserable invaders.
Excuse me, dearest, for The digression. Tomor-
row we leave for the seat Of war. What tomorrow
will bring forth | know pot but through pros
pefty or adversely, opuence or poverty easinesa
or danger, am still your own dear G. Tell father
| am ashamed 10 promise to write, for he may
know shall break my promise. Kiss one and all
for me at homej press yohr sweet little darling to
your heart and tell her love and cherish yuu for
the sake and love OF her papa.
~. Your own