Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-16
Editorial Correspondence.
NANsExoND1

NANsEMoND COUNTY, VA, October 9Th. 1881
DAAho DUB II have not been long enough in tbis
region, SO contiguous to the seat of bel1ioeran+ onor
On0 non Q tne James river, to have much of in
communicate. 1 intended v~isisting several
points OF interest yesterday, but the extreme inclemen-
: mea'ner prevented. On the day previous I
visited =" Iown Point" near the junction If Nansa-
mond with the James river. where strono ha+to-ss.
are erected, and the Isle of Wight Artillery comn..
ny Is stationed. This point is about 10 miles f,o,
newport News on the north side of James rivor r
aiso visited Grimes battery" on Hofer's creek
"here crimes Artillery and one of the Georgia repi-
menus are stationed and g Pigs Point. where a
strohg battery OF 15 or 20 guns Is erected, commanded
Wy inc portsmouth Greys, and where a Louisians
reglmentl Is stationed. From these points are MAINLY
visible by the naked eye the hundreds of yanke tants
scattered up and down the opposite side of tbo Iomoa
iiver' guarded by two large war vessels wbosa nort
nooD ~ the men on their decks, can be plainlv dis
= the ara OF a glass and by the assistance
49, OF these points, the yankee van
A.y lmplously treading Virginia soil. It
= ooll 10 think how long they have des-
southern soil, ~despoiled citizens of their nro-
perty, and committe all manner Of or.r.-s
auem' But the day of retribution win spralv -.
fengeancei Is mine: I will repay, saith the Lord :,
.aotnin OF eepscial interest ofrecent date hos +-an,
81 sne : as s,sn ea.o q the interestinp ncfnta referred -
others went out. on q fishing excursion, but
fehturing too far towards the Yankees side of the
river, was pursued by one of their steamers and mar
rowly escaped being captured; but they were fired npon
by our batteries, and caused to beat a hasty setreat.-
Some two or three of our shots it is believes, STRUCK
their boats, but their shots fell short Of our batteries,
At some of these points there are rihed cannon OF
long range recently erected, but WHERE, it is thought
best to postpone the communication of the intelli-
gcnce to such time az the game taken will be sufi-
cient to pay the postage.
In q day or two intend visiting the second regiment
ofNorth Carolina Volunteers, encamped near Norfolk;
the 3D. at Benn's Church, and the 4th at Bedgood's
Church, BOTH in Isle of Wight county, when / hope to
have something of more interest to communicate.
| find troops stationed in every direction in this
county. Two miles south of the place where / am
writing, is stationed the Sussex Light Dragons
about three miles north, the Nansemond Cavalry, and
q few miles further north any number of infantry
cavalry, and artillery; and some seven miles cast o.
that, a Louisiana regiment-so that should the enc.
my cross the river, they may be sure of a very warm
reception.
heard a good joke to-day, which may be worth
publishing. A number of negroes have paade their
way to the yankees across the river, from this com
munity, by means of row-boats under cover of night
One of these, finding more hard work and less to eat
than he had been accustomed to, told the yankees ii
they would let him go, he would bring his wife and
children to them, and he was very anxious to have
them with him. He was allowed to go, and old Noses
availed himself Of his furlough never to return. And
he advises all his fellow-darkies, if they do not wish
to smell bringer, TO keep away from dem yankee
debils."
/ hope to write a more interesting letter soon.
A. M. G..
Il