American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-08-10
Correspondence of the Citizen.
CAMP NEAR SToNE BRrDGE, Va, D
.Jagg 80. 1861.

e. A..
July 80, 1861.
DEAR CITIZEN The 18th and 18tl
Regiments now find themselves at this new
encampment, after much marching and ex
posure to the weather, and are attached to
new brigade. This Reorganization, so ode
3cidediy agreeable to US, has been broughi
about, we suspect, by the freely expressed
dissatisfaction which was felt by the twt
regiments, both in rank and file toward.
our former Brigadier & ID. r. Jones, J and III
have now the pleasure to claim as our offieia
bead. the cool, chiyalrous and experienced
Gen. Evans. ~
You have doubtless been fully informed
that the partial failure of our attack upor
the enemy's left wing battery, in the en-.
gagement on Sunday last, was entirely ow-
ing to the Encouragement, ignorance, and,
must say, military Incompetence of our inn
mediate leader. Being ordered to charge
bayonets when at the distance of five hun
dred yards from an overwhelming enen1
posted and entrenched upon an almost I'M
cessible hill, with two tremendous hills
a ravine at least seventy five feet Rtw
Us. we think displayed too rash an diff
ence about the welfare of his men md n
little of the general to be borne o. RED
ments which, by their integral compositid1
and proficiency in drill, are in every way
prepared to sustain the high honor of their
State. The ravine was utterly impossible
in the charge; and to have stood there upon
its brink, in the midst of the deadly and ter
rife storm of grape, canister and bombs
which about ten heavy pieces Of artillery
Numbered upon them, would have been
sheer madness. The order to retire was
therefore given, and although the Yankees
al rout, yet, in the minds of some persons,
uniformed as to the facts, our regiments
sustained some discredit.
Our ID Lieutenant was few days ago ia
ken from us by the g Camden Rifles TO
supply the place of their lamented Captain
(Adam McWiIlie); and the result of an cleo
ton in the e Confederates,' to fill the place
of Judge Hill, has just this moment been. an
nounced in favor of our popular Sergeant
Hugh Love, for whose gallantry in action
and agreeability in camp, every soldier can
vouch The unsuccessful aspirant was our
worthy friend Sergeant Rucker.
We are now encamped upon the edge of
the main battle field. There remains to
mark the spot only few dead horses, the
scars of the cannon-shot and the graves of
the fallen. The marks of the enemy's fight
are all over the country, and most remarka-
bly, did they exemplify the scriptural asser-
ton, :" the wicked flee when no man pursu-
eth" No idea of the utter CONSERVATION
which attended their flight can be formed
till thezbroken wheels and guns, the scatter
ed clothes and provisions, the deserted tents
and the tremendous quantity of relinquished
booty of every description, all along the
route from BULBS Run to Alexandria is SEEN
have seen sixty-one pieces of the fine ar
tillery which we took and every wayside
house has been converted into an arsenal
prison and hospital for their deserted equip
ments, the terror-strieken captives and poor
wretches. The moral force and
the exaltation of the South, and her holy
self defence, which the news of this victory
and this unequaled defeat will carry through
out America and into the ears of astonished
Europe (Which the Dragging North has ever
attempted to deafen to the TRUTH, is the
most grateful blessing which a kind God
could grant to the Southern patriot and sol
der.
The health of our company and regiment
is only tolerable. We start soon for Lees
burg, about twenty-five miles distant.
Mr.. Hardy is still with us.
DIR. Divine, who has won the golden opin-
ion of the regiment by his readiness in camp
and upon the field, with his instruments and
bis rife, is yet the welcome cOnfreTe of the
We miss the luxury of fruit and vegeta-
bles, which our friends at home are enjoy
ing about now; but we, here, have this hon
9rable war.
In haste, your friend, ENSIS.