Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-09-19

tersssing Letter Gen. Lana, VI ritten After a
Visit 10 our hFmy OF shc Potomac
Translated from the Daro de Ia Marina, of Havana for
the New York Herald.
WASHINGTON July 81, 1861.
You will be surprised seeing my letter dated from
this city, SINCE perhaps you supposed already n
Madrid. 1t would have been so had it not happened
that found, on my arrival at New York that the fa-
nous steamship Great Eastern was expected circum-
stance which created in hope Of making my trip
to Liverpool in that colossus In the meantime in Or
der to make the most of my time, visited Saratoga
where learned the news of the battle of Bull Run and
since the Great Eastern does not sail from Quebec till
the 9th of August felt curiosity to see what was
going on, that these people appear to be fighting
in earnest; and at one bound planted myself in the
capital of the old Union.
| Her Catholic Majesty's Minister, Sr. Tassara re-
ceved me very WE'LL and did everything in bis power to
post me as fully as possible in regard to the military and
political state OF this country, fr,m which information
believe have formed sufficiently accurate idea of the
actual situation although hereabouts they are as silent
as the dad certain matters and have very little
OF Wht s taking place on the other side of the Potomac
1t is necessary to this place to be convinced of
what occurring and to form idea OF what kind oil
affair an army is composed OF without any mill
tary habits and led by ofire-s-chefs and generals
who are fo the NEST part devoid OF the knowledge ne
cesSary Excepting the material in the trausporta
ton department, such Ons, gun carriages ambu-
ances, &C. &c, which is magnificent all else is con-
fusion of iclad men without any military instruction.
and what is worse without trying to acquire it, accord
ing to appearances since during the time remained
there | nave seen them pass days and nights in the
camps without doing anything, with the exception of
battalion drill for short while in the morning and again
in the evening As far have been able to observe
they have large fields for mar euvring or target ex
erclses which surprises me- know the fondness
they have for it in this country Nothing mpresses you
that there are seventy thousand in the neighbor
hood preparing for Silence and tranquility reign
in the city and camps, neither nor less than
everything were in a normal state
For all have searched have not succeeded in find
ing either calvary Or artillery. True, the latter they
abandoned on the Bull Run field OF battle, and the for
mer they have had except in comparatively nsg
| nIfcant number. What they have is draught cattle
such as have never anywhere the harness and
gun-carra2es are magnificent all bran new since they
lost those they previously rad in the battle and that too
in great numbers as every one says.
To day | saw more than thousand most beautiful
mules good the best when are bred ia the pas
turts OF La Mancha (New Castile All of them were
sned for draught service in the amy they bad inst
come from Kentucky Certainly all tbat money can
procure is had bere abundance but there are things
which cannot be imProVsed. Hence it is, that accord
lng to my opinion, these gentry will be beaten often
as they go into battle, at least for the present.
Nothing of all that is said by the Southern papers on
the result Of the battle is exaggerated Here il is
known perfectly we'll that the iederalats besides having
runaway heller kelte lost about 600 muskets seven
ty odd cannon o. all their wagons and PROVISIONS field
trains, tents and greater part Of th.ir knapsacks 1t
is Cny necessary TO take peep at cDcaupment to
notice that not Of these latter is to be seen. The
soldiers use no mole clothing uniform than what We
Understand by barrack dress ard their clothes so
cumsly worn, dirty and molly that it is necessary to
see 10 bsiIeve Boards and long hair ssO very much
il fashion | wonder if they immagine the enemy will
be frightened by showing them dsheveled heads and
dirty, hairy faces would require to write many pages
to relate some OF TIE much which is seen about here in
these days Of the remarkable and strange But can
neither spar sufficient time for that, would you
have patience to read it.
BY the time YOU receive this letter it is very probable
the may have been transferred the north
ward. ] believe If the Soutberners avail themselves
duly oil the time and circumstances they i'll very soon
obilge Their enemies 10 evacuae HarprS Ferry, Chrr
bste to the corps OF edera troops marching through
Western Virginia, and also present themselves at Bal
timOre threatening the forces in possession there 10
that the army which is here eDcanped will have to
retreat to Philadelphia and tken Virginia and Mary
land will remain III the power Of the southern Coned-
crates | am thoroughly convinced that this must hap
pen very soon.
troops and convinced myself that useless attempt
it. Their plckrts oliOw no one to pass not the
country people in which to penetrate the country
it would be necessary TO take great round for which
have not sufficient time.
Tomorrow | start tor New York and after resting
there day will make excursion to Niagara to see The
briHge which the English have built over the river st
Lawrence(?) proceeding the 5th to Quebec embark
for Europe on the 9th
! HYDE CoUNTY-FLAG OF TRUCE.-No rcuuty OIL
the waters accessible Though Hatteras Inlet is mucf
exposed TO the ncu8ions and depredatons OF the enenN
as II yde 1t is within 80 or DO miles OF the Fort-tb'
enemy's headquarters. ludeed, Haueras is a part
Hyde. Boats cross at almost any time aud land a
any point they may choose. he wealth there will ex
cite their thIeving proptnstes; aud the number o
slaves that could be of aud sold in Cuba, woult
pay the entlre expense OF the expedition Old Butler
heart leaps with feDdsh pleasure at the prospect.
flag OF truce sent by the officer in command of th
Fort to the citizens there Friday last informing then
that they shall not be moested if they Will take th
oath of allegiance TO the Abolition Government anc
aid, of course, the invading army in conquering th'
State. We have this from citizen just from there OF
buried trip to Raleigh for aid And aid they must
have and that Immediately, regiment is ahsolutel,
indispensable for lis defense And also one ii not tw(
Companies of Rangers and battery OF flying artillery
The people there making every possible of de
iense One company of volunteers is already in th
field. The militia are organizing. company o
mounted men, are Informed, be raised and th
horses furnished there Will the authorities send force
there at once? 1t must be done, the county il
ruined,-W Washington Dispatch
FROM TEXAS AND MExICo.-The Galveston Civilian
of the 29th, has the following:
We understand that the volunteers who LETT Houston
ior Virginia last Friday detained at Neblitts Bluff
on the Sabine, by high waters
The Indianola and Lavaca papers state that large
quantities of SALT from the lakes Of Western Texas,
constantly arriving and for sale at those places.
Fayette county has already subscribed upwards o
FIVE hundred bales of cotton to the Confederate loan
= The merchants and others have generally pledged them
selves to receive Confederate bonds par all bushes
transactions Fayette has turned large proportion
of volunteers for the present Three companies a
least are now absent 10 the public service.