Smyrna times., 1861-11-28
COR ESPO NDENCE.
For the smyrna Times.
Letter from Camp Hamilton.
CAar HAhILToS, Fortress Monrse, Va
Nov ODD. 1861.

CAar Hamilton, Fortress Monroe, Va,
Nov 22d, 1851.
Dssr TS@es:-I forgot TO mention, 10 my
iass letter. sis't made by party OF us to tho
village Of Hampton, which, it will bs remem-
sersa, wss burned by the rebel Msgruder, some
sims since, to prevent i,s affordug wioter se-
eemmOaations for the UniOn troops, then CON-.
msndsd by Gen. Butler. Hsmptou was one Of
the eldest and mOsI srIsI0cra,ic villages in the
add Deminiou," aud se We gaEed pom the
slssksd mass we could not help bst rsfeei pom
she muiabiliIy Of earthly grandeur. Seven
eharches. Of fine architecture, gave ample tes-
tizs.y Of their belief in the faith. A tomb.
s'sss 10 the old BaPtist bsrying grosad bore
he data Of 1907.
,, Ths object Of The expedition wac to collect
bsssEds. &C., for our tents, which, having been
s'scsmpllshed, we had the range of the place,
70 CRAFTY long peRt-up curiosity. After SO
Afssibg several cart. loads of Lumber, we had to
stess" Gleta, lie use a esnltaband" phrase, !
across the rIver; aud hardly had the last load
reached ths other side, than word came Of the
nesx spprossh OF the rebels, aud ihe seizure by
iiasmy OF one OF the wagons belonging to the
AIsssschusets 10th. OF course, all " as upon
tss qua riVe in an insIsnt, aud O,s rnoIous were
the appeals 20 be taken against the intruders
As we siosd thus, q heavy tramp was heard,
aad issuing from the ruius on our left eane III e
Unien Coast Guard" at double quick" ma.
king for the scene OF the forsy. II afterwards
sssnsd cut that the enemy. after making the
ahcvs capture, Tetreaied over Back Riy or, ths.
spsilimg our ieiPatioDs Of bloody sngsge.
zsnt Tired and hurgry, we soon afterwards
tssehea camp.
Yesterday. while company "a" wers oul
scouting, several uliss above Hampton, they
suaaesly cane upon a party of rebel csvairy
with rIned cannon, the conients Of which they
sabmittsd for QUE consideration, bn. thibkine
sssre was q large force Of us behini, they de-
slstsd from any further demonstrations and fel
back. NOBODY hurt" There are now rn
snass OF combined attack being made upol
lAsm. but cannot v0uch fer its suthenticity.
The health, morsls aud cleanliness of ths
"Dslsware First" are remarkable, eACiting tn,
eSanaendatiOa OF old csmpaigneFs.
subscription 10 now going the rounds, un
der the join supervision Of Chaplain Murphy
aad Col Andrews. for the purchase OF lirg,
tsat On the camp meeting OTdes. and the do
nasibas thus far are quite 6atlering.
The Smyrna boys are now contracting e.
al immense turkey, which they intend DIRE sssin NJ
with oysters, to grace the table of their pro
spsctlve Christmas dinner. wh'ch, with ni as
pips and otter bivaIrss, will make the feas
quite entertaining. SO you sec we are ne
quite Isolated trom The facilities OF parls kin
ef ths good IhIngs OF this earlh.
= To uigaa. about IL o'clock. heavy firing
whieh eo-unued about two hours, vas plaini
Beard 10 the direction Of Newport News; al
tss norning the camp is uoon the tip toe
exeiismsat 10 hear OF soma great event.
Nsv 23 As vas preparing to mail hi
sks Osd-rly Sergeant Infurned me of a dca,
al th. hospital Of one poor fellow belonging
tsis FegTnsni, bot the nare or the company
sould Hol issrn. Yours, truly. DIDe.