New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-10-18
Letters from Virginia.


CAMP BEAuRE"a RD, 2 miles west Of Germantown
October s. ISL
Mr.. Fdt0r-A long time has ELAPSED since I last
wrote you, during which have been confined to
my bed and room by the generally prevalent
. camp fever" from which all our troops in this
vicinity have so severely suffered dnring the past
few mouths. :, =
Once more at my post, I take an early oppos-
tunity to communicate a few lines to the Crescent
You are already informed that all the Louisiana
troops in this section with the exception of the
Washington Artillery, have been formed into a
brigade, Che eighth) under the command Of Brig
Gen. Fighting Billy,'') VIM Walker, of Georgia;
one of the most determined and thoroughly edu
Gated military officers in the old Y. S. service
a dne pElgade IS composed of the 9th, 7th, Sth and
9TH regiments and Wheats Qst specially Battalion
OF louisiana, with detachment of six pieces of
artillery, and company of horse from the Vir-
glnia volunteers. OF Gen. Walker / need say moth
ing. His deeds of almost desperate bravery and
gallantry in the service Of his country have been
recorded upon the pages Of our national History
with his own blood. He was lately in command Of
our forces at Camp Pickens, in conjunction with
Gen. Bragg, but tring OF the dull monotony Of
camp duty, without prospect of active service he
solicited and obtained the position he now occu-
pes His appointment has given the most decided
satisfaction among the rank and file of the brigade
ana Is dairy growing in popularity with the troops,
command His regularly appointed Aid is Major
Robert W. Anderson, graduate of West Point.
and a thorough and efficient officer and genial
gentleman Capt. Hartstene. late commander Of
the U. D. man-otWar Pawnee, is also on the staff
of the General asa Volunteer Aid This distin.
guished officer is most valuable ACQUISITION to the
brigade staff, as his knowledge of the country.
gained through active participation in the events
OF the past few months in this region, as well as
his remarkable sagacity coolness and pallantrv.
Will enable him to act at once in the two-fold re-
lation of guide and counselor. '- a. -.
The present location of the Brigade is two miles
north of Germantown, and about the same distance
to the northwest of Fairfax Conrt. house, where
Generals Beauregard and Johnston have their head.
quarters. It now occupies position on the ex-
IRENE lett OF our line, as at present encamped and
in case OF an attack on our flank, ours would be
the honor of first engaging the Hessians.
On Sunday last the Sixth, Seventh and Eiehth
Regiments, together with detachment of Virginia
artillery, consisting of six pieces, and com pany
ot a cavairy' started on scout in the direction Of
| the lines OF the enemy. Gen. Walker was fur
nlshed with programme of march and operations
anu instructed to accomplish his mission within
five days, if possible. 80. =.
In regard to the object of the expedition. its
delieacy, the hair breadth escapes and interesting
adventures OF our boys on this march, may not
speak without incurring the risk of defeating the
very object of the expedition. 1t was, however,
OF character to severely try the metal of our
such as to call forth the highest encomums of
praise from Gen. Walker who, in his turn was the
recipient of complimentary thanks from Genera!
Beauregard, for the prompt and efficient manner
in which he accomplished one of the most difficult
and efficient missions of the campaign without the
loss of single life, and in just onehalf the time
allotted for its execution by Beauregard.
We are now resting on our loaded arms, in readi-
ness to march at the sound of the long roll, y
which we should not be surprised to hear at any
moment.
The Yankees are uow in great force on this side
of the Potomac, their numbers being variously
estimated at from 10000 to Joe, 600, an interme-
dlate figure being probably the correct one.
The health Of the army is rapidly improving.
ASDTtRE