Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1861-06-07
Letter from the Seat Of War.

Ercisement in ttt Cawp-gne Eaeaay Repartid
Adsanetrg-GreQg's Regiment u Battle ar.
'rdy-1he Bivoudc-7hc Position of tho En-.
rmy-Our Treatment, DO, &c
Up TO this hour. to wit: three o'clock. p. n,.-
We have had time Of much excitement. The
day opened in perfect splendor. above at least,
and " ith a prospect of as much Of peace as we
could wash for; but about eight o'clock. the
news arrived that a eentinefshud been killed at
some distance out from Alexandria; and at ten
o'clock that evening the enemy was advancing
upon Fairfax, which ths reader. by reference to
the msp, will see is about equdistnnt between
Alexandria and the Manassas Junction. The.
loug roll was beat. The General with the
Prince Williams Cavalry as body guard,
= dashed forward The infantry prepared to fol-
low rapidly possible, and a scene of more
rapid preparation hns been seldom seen. For
my own part. had proposed ogo forward in
a buggy, which was also to take a portion Of
my baggage, but when the alarm came the
buggy did not. I had already left come with
reluctance. I left the balance by the road side
towhich it had been carried. with still more;
and with gun. pistol, overcoat and demijohn
would have seemed as unnecessary as any thing
could have elected. too, took eeat in an
omnibus about starting TO Alexandria, and
dashed forward. A rapid drive of little more
than an hour brought us-to Centreville, seven
miles off, upon the outskirts Of which we saw
our baggage wagons and about two hundred
yards beyond we entered the ranks Of the gal
liant First Regiment, which. ns l have already
said, had gone forward the night before They
were posted under the brow Of hill, whose
long slope presented fine opportunity of ra-
king the enemy as he advanced. and upon the
top of which had been stationed four pieces of
cannon, charged and unlimbered for the action.
1t was, truly, an exciting scene there they
were, in open daylight, and in an open field.
about six hundred men, the most Of whom I
knew. lying about at ease, though all in line
and in the most perfect good humor; while
there was almost a perfect assurance that,
within'a few minutes the enemy would appear
upon the plain below, and refer the question
of the soil to the dread arbitrament of battle.
The regiment had been in this position but "a
short time. They had bivouacked at Balls
Run, about half way from the Junction to Gen.
treville, and had already arrived at their place
of encampment when the news came that the
enemy was advancing Upon news OF this
they moved forward and took the line of bat.
tie have endeavored to describe had been
upon the ground but short time, however.
when our scouts returning, gave US information
that there was no enemy near US at least, and,
finding that there was no occasion to remain
in line.of-battle longer, the order. 10 march was
given. and the troops have been taken back to
camp.
Such, in BRIEF are the occurrences of the day
60 Tar: The men of the First Regiment nre in
beautiful green grove, about -four hundred
yards out OF Centreville, but without any bed
ding or provisions but what they have been
able to carry on their backs. The Second
heg'ments which lusaed on upon the alarm,
had got as far as Balls Run when they were
halted BY the news that there was no imme-
date occasion for their presence. They will
stay there for an hour or two, at least, to re-
cover. The Virginia regiments also hurried on
and are now about arriving at our camp, and
In whatever force the enemy may come we will
be prepared to meet him. -
OF his present position there is still doubt.
About twenty minutes. after our return to
camp two couriers arrived, with news that he
had taken Germantown. We have been 40
much the subjects of unfounded rumors of late
that to these events We attach no conclusive i'm.
Portance, but keeping a lookout just so sisilant
as to be sure that We are not taken by surprise
willnow address ourselves 10 the task of put
ting ourselves in as good condition for hgst
as we can.
There is much difference in the treatment we
experience from different people, Some are
ready to provide for US to the utmost of their
ability; but some again drive as hard bargains
wfthus as If we ware the ene6iies who invade
tnem.i And in this section, generally, there is
amarked departure ftohii' the conduct exlibii
ted at Richmond. and elsewhere in the State.
Nothing is sent to ussin testimony of good feel.
ing; no gentIsaasn ofrespsltebility and posi-
tiog call on ur, excepting those only. of course
engagedin military histterk But We have No
ocoasion to couaplsin of our friends, at least.
DR.. Alexander has opened bis house to us;
whatever he can do has been done to make us
comfortable; and in our present condition we
are ready to appreciate to the utmost his libe-
rality AZ -
4ouraady fsaASrs have, doubtless, endea-
vored to realize the feelings they would be
likely TO experiense il an enemy wereApproach
ing and.a battle were to be fougbt in sight OF
!, { them. ladies here haye ths reality before
them The battle may not be fought; th,
enemy may not bs codlng; the whole alarm
msybe tho work Of come cunning architect in
fhs way of sxoitetsene; but fOr the present, I,
is beloved at least, The ladissof The family
:pending life in this peaceful ,regions are a.
much sunHsSl 9. lsdies can 10 70 thu .psrib and
.aisrms Of 6sttlse but they Istsnd their ,yrouod
Thsy,hass Sathsrs and afstbsi. 'in!iie ,asht;
<and ssshough their lips qSissr when 4bey spssl.
shout the battles and, they start . iitsas Wien
eOnrisrs.@ ia hot =hais arrive. sthsy x1blbit 4
perfect reatsuess tosbsas; ;viat share \ SzF6ito