The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-11
ARMY OE THE POTOMAC.
JOUR- OWN CORRESPONDENT

FAIRFAX, Oct. Sth, 1851.
Last night was one Of the worst we have
had for some weeks. The rain foil in tor
rents with an occasional intermissicn, durin g
which the wind whistled dismaily through
the trees. The storm ceased about O'Clock
this morning, after which it turned exces-
sivoIy cold, and thick overcoats and blankets
came into general demand. So much in =
meteorological way, and now 10 the situn ton
Yesterday morning heavy firing was heard
in the direction OF Washington, but what the
meaning Of it was, I am unable to say As
our advance lines are visible from the obser-
vatory in Fairfax, we could see plainly it had
nothing to do with our movements or stand
ings, perhaps, 1 should say, for nothing in
the shape OF n movement: has yet been dis :
covered even by the crow Of rumor- seekers
who citch eagerly At every omen, and read
signs or battle IN the strtws that III upon
the autumn wind. Every morning we are
gratified by the presence OF 3 few regiments
which are on the way 10 or from picket duty;
the streets are constantly filled with trans
port wagons; dragons and conriers dash
about; soldiers lounge around the town !:
time goes on very quietly and that 10 the e1-
tent OF our Knowledge IS to army move
ments. 1t may be supertiuous TO say that we
live in constant styte Of expectation, and
are an1iously waiting, like MIR. Mlcawber
for something to turn mp"
Last night the 10th Mississippi, a very large
and fine regiment, passed through the village
on their way TO do picket duty some four miles
below here. Poor fellows, how they must
have suffered during the cold and stormy
night. This morning the l.t Virginia started,
also, for picket duty, and 1T an early hour we
We're reused by the music of their band as
they passed through the town. They Will
biyouac near the Accotinck, about mile
from Annaudaie. Yesterday some scouts
went into Springfield, but found none OF the
enemy there, nor could any signs of them be
seen in the vicinity. His principal strength
seems to DE in the direction OF MuEson'. hill
The fine grove OF trees l mentioned In q pre-
yious letter upoa the summit OF Taylor's hill
has been destroyed, and the fertilization on
Whites bill, which we called Fort Walton,
extended to that point. The pickets on each
side rema as they did = week ago in the vi
entity of Fall. Church.
Sometime ago the ladies of Warrenton com
pieted 4 box OF clio thing for the soldiers, and
forwarded it To the 18th Virginia. The arti-
cies were well chosen, well made, and CT ex-
ce!lent material, consisting Of jackets, pants,
shirts, and other substantial wearing appa-
rel Is cold weather was close al hand, and
as the boys Were not in good win ter trim the
box and its valuable contents was voted =
God-seDd. The scene which occurred W u en-
the clothing was distributed was pleasant,
and could the kind ladies OF Warrenton have
been near enough to have witnessed it, they
would have bhen amply repaid for their
trouble, setting aside the feeling OF duty that
t..
each jacket and pair OF pants an Inscription
had been written by the maker, and these
had to be read in turn around the camp. One
little fellow had 4 nice, warm Jacket which
he displayed TO his comrades us proudly as s.
boy does his first pair OF boots. or first pan e
with pockets in them. Ga the inside WIS
written
Virginia will never be conquered while her
sons rally around her standard!
MY God - said the fortunate soldier, con-
MA inn no nj ga -
II never could run with that jacket on The
other day heard a story very similar In one Of
the Louisiana camps. Sitting around the fire
an officer read letter from home which said
that flannel was scarce, and very dear. Con-
sidering this, the ladies, who would remain in
the warm South, had determined to eut up
their flannel skirts to make warm shirts for
their dear boys" in Virginia. The thought
that they were SO kiadly Iemem be red al home
caused pleasant emotions and many an eye
was moistened as the mind reverted I'd the
generous sacrifice "Who wouldn't fight wi tn
such shirt on?" was the remark of a listen
er. With or without a shirt, those men will
never prove towards; for the thought that the
ladies Of their State remember them 90 kind
ly, is a sufficient talisman 10 guide them to
the post of duty.
Last week an 1rishman deserted from the
Federal Dragons, while on picket duty, and
came into our lines. He says he has long dc.
sired to escape, but hts never before had an
opportunity. His brother 10 in the Con fed
crate army, and ne wished to join him; but
where he was, or in what State he enlisted
the deserter did not know. He was detained
prisoner until the authorities found time 70
examine into his case, and meanwhile was
sent to Manassa. On arriving there he was
taken TO the guard.honsc. and the first
sight that met his eye wss his brother lying
on the floor, sleeping of drunken spree,
which caused his arrest. He was not too
an hoar the old building resounded with their
tsbs gorruS. and "Afrabs," and tatrly tTsna.