Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-06-27
NEWS.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Near Manassas, Va, June Il, 81.
Dear Enquirer We are at last Gin
the enemy's country as the boys say
that is, we are where scouting parties
and picquet guards Of the two armies
come in almost daily contact. The
strictest discipline and utmost precau-
tion are, therefore, necessary, and even
with these, our advance guards occa-
sionally pick off a friend instead of a
foe.
Col. Gregg's regiment, now at Fair
fax Court House, y miles beyond this,
is the vanguard of the Southern Army.
Col. Kershaw's regiment is at Bulls
run, 2 miles farther on; and Col. Ba-
cons is also ahead of us somewhere,
short distance. We now occupy the
ground he did up to Wednesday morn
ing, and enjoy the ''lmbrageous harbors
which his men threw up for their pro-
lection against the sunbeams, which are
very oppressive even in this high lati-
tude, at noon-day.
The general expectation seems to be
that regular battle will take place be-
fore long. Gen. Beauregard is said to
be desirous of staving it off about two
weeks. South Carolinians, who know
this method of fighting from the battle
of Fort Sumter, expect every prepara-
ton first, and then straight forward
fight. Col. Gregg and his spirited COM
mand, however, may precipitate mat
ters. They are said to have almost
pledged themselves to have a number
of Yankees equal to their own, before
their time expires, we believe, on the
4th of July. If rumor is to be credited,
they are in skirmish every day. Mon
day evening they attacked regiment
on the cars some two miles beyond
Fairfax, by firing upon them with artil-
cry; cut off the engine and seven cars,
killing seven men; when the whole re-
treated in precipitate run to the woods,
and so escaped-Col. Gregg having
just before left an ambush in which he
had lain for hours, expecting them. 1t
is rumored also that another train of
Yankees was attacked by them night
before last; and that 24O men were kill
ed, and two cars and an engine cap
tured. These little experiences, they
say, have taught the enemy to keep the
engine behind. You may be assured
they are disposed to take care of them
selves.
This battery of Col. Gregg which is
doing such good work, is some two miles
beyond Fairfax, on the line of Alexan.
dria. 1t is stated that 1000 of the en-.
emy are advancing against him and
that he will retreat to Fairfax, if ne
cessary, but no farther. So we are pre-.
pared for orders any moment to ad.
vance; and we have heard this morning
that Col. Kershaw's regiment received
such orders last night.
We have given it as our opinion that
it was the desire of the foe to advance
via Manassas on this side, in order tc
invest Harper's Ferry; but our strength
and situation, while showing that this
has been regarded as their design by
our military authorities, render it mex
to impossible of accomplishment. Ev
cry road, rail or wagon, communicating
between the North and this part Of Vir
ginia, has been "efectually blockaded,
except one which runs few miles Soutl
East of this, through rugged fastnes'
where company of Virginia sharp
shooters, detailed as piquets, haveplace(
themselves among the rocks and cleared
away the underground to the roadside
They are no doubt, "spoiling for
fight y
Yesterday, Miss Maggie F. Boswell
of Fanquier county, sent a fine bou
, quet to the Captain of each company
to be given to the most gallant and hand
some private of his company, to be de
cided by vote. Her card accompanies
e it, containing the sentiment "Highes
| respects for Brave Hearts" The ia
: vor of the fair lady was conferred upo1
private C. Knox Williams by the Jas
per Light Infantry.
. The Esquirer has not visited ou
. camp since We left the State. Direc
to Manassaa, Prince Williams, Va.
Yours, as best we can under the Gil
cumstances, However dryly,
: OUR CORPORAL.
DIRECT TO TUDOR HALL.-Postmas