Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-09-21

hEIiD5F
this post for several dsys and his bravery. his IN
eeasng vigilance and sagseity, are ample safeguards
against accident and surprise. There are indeed
few officers in the service who are as much beloved
by those under his command. or possess in such
degree the confidence of the Generals in Chief Vir
GINA had no more promising statesman than
Col. .KenpeF whilst the conditioa Of the country
permitted him TO hold place in her civil Councils
As officer an our a miles, he is destined to win
solid and brilliant reputation
In the command of his regiment he Is ably second
ed By Lieut. Col Williams, of Orange county for
merg Brigade Inspector in the militia, and one Of
the most thorough drill masters ia the army, and
by Major ". Iazewel Patton son O. the disthsnish-
ed John, Al. Patton, deceased, VINO is also gradu-
ate In military science, and officer Of high eou>
rage and intelligence.
The PRISONERS we have taken recently report that
the Federals have been contemplating az attack
upon both Aaeon's and Aunson Halls, and have
just learned that Confederate soldier belonging
to Maryland regiment deserted to Washngto
city few days ago, and informed the enemy Of the
condition Of things at the latter place, which doubt
less led to the advance agaiust It, of which you VIII
be informed before this reaches you They attack
ed us with three pieces of artillery which we forced
them 10 withdraw from the fire Of singls piece
belonging to the Washington Battery, without kav-
ing man killed or even injured, The enemy lost
several We have strong picket guards below Ma
sons and from the most advanced posts numbers Of
Federal stragglers can be seen marching and watch
ing upOn the neighbOrng hills. Their officers have
commanded them to cease the picket warfare, and
instead of the flash Of the hidden musket, you now
behold numerous little white flags waving from the
bushes and tree tops near where their sentines are
posted, indicating wish for peace.
FARFAx G. H., Sept. II, 166l-The view from
MunsOn's Hill is at this time Of the most inter-
esting, and Withal the most picturesque Of any
have seen IN America. The board expanse of eOun-
try that stretches out before you the succession of
hill and valley far eyecan reach; foreground
of green fields dotted with white farm hOuses; be-
yond it a valley covered with pastures and wood
land patches; in the distance the Potomac gistenng
IN the sunshine; the white sails that dot its bosom;
the Maryland hills beyond, and standing out boldly
from all the rest-the point Of sight in the picture
the dome Of the Capitol In Washington. On every
side one nothing but objects OF interest or
beauty. On the left is Halls Hill, and then comes
Arlington Heights. From here we trace the PO-
tomac down by the roofs of the buildings, past the
pOnderous DOME by the city the navy yard, until IL
bursts into full view Just above Alexandria Be-
low this is q hill from which the woods have been
recently burned disclosing several elegant residen
ees, camp of some four or five thousand men and
q fine field fort, built with bastions, and upon which
some heavy guns are being mounted. Rising from
the crest of the hill above this Shooters Hill
belieYe) is the tower Of the Alexandria Theological
Seminary from the spire Of which the @Stars and
Stripes" makes some feeble attempt to wave. Still
lower down can be seen the hsg on Fort Ellsworth;
and then the eye glanees along the horizon until it
rests upon Masons HILL only short distance to our
the Federal defences can be distinguished, but L
know very little Of their nature. In the woods and
along the distant hllsides fires are smouldering,
from which the smoke rises gracefully and Aoats
away to join the cumulus clonds that sail slowly
across the sky. Add to al this the fact that you
are within eight hundred yards of the pickets OF
the enemy, who keep mp continual fire with their
longrange rifles, and that there are occasional op-
portunites Of hearing Minnie ball singing over
your head and that there Is an extreme probability
that the long guns on the opposite fort may send
shell at you and some idea can be formed of the in
terest that is attached to this place.
Mnnson's Hill is not much in itself. It Is small,
barren. less than two hundred feet in height, and
about the shape Of half orange. A few small
oaks standing upon its top, but beyond this
there signs of vegetation. Without refer
ring to the military defenees Of the place, which
enclrcle its head like crown, L pass to the rear,
where the shelters for the men placed with the
regularity Of tiles upon roef These sbelters are
on simple plan and rude construction. will give
you the fnodus Operdndi OF making them: Drive two
forked stades into the ground few feet apart
place pole cross these two lay rails from this pole
to the ground, and then cover with pine boughs.
An armful of straw or a few pine branches will
serve as floor, and then you have house, If not
as comfortable hotel, quite as useful to men
who 20 to bed with their boots and spurs on, and
who sleep with eyes and ears open In the enesEts
upon the crest of the hE, are the headquarters CT
the post-a little hut facing the west, with fewer
rails, less pine boughs and less straw than any
upon the hillside. At its entrance is by table,
and scattered around are two chairs, a few boxes
large rocks, and a'stump or two, for the accommo-
datlon of visitors. A field glass hangs upon tree
and the table is ornamented by cavalry sabre and
a pair of sLurs. Headquarters does not bOsst Of
much elegance, but if you content with soldiers
fare and wish 10 meet few gallant, manly, ehiv-
alrie fellows, and be met with true courtesy and
hearty welcome. there is the place for you
The Alexandria and Leesburg turnpike runs
around and.par.ly over the bIll and then sweeps
IL. So IL ElaI
Roads ust at the foot Of the hill is the residence
of Munson (the former OVner,) a barn and other
out houses. Munson and his family have taken re-
fuge with their Yankee friends, having followed In
company with many Of bis neighborS, the fortunes
of the grand army The legacy he has left has
been put to q useful purpose, and viii, perhaps,
stil do US good service it has done heretofore.
TO the right obout two miles distant, is Aasons
Hill the largest and most important OF all this line
which, as have previously stated, Is admirably
calculated for making defence against the advance
of the enemy, and which can be fortified un It be-
comes as impregnabe as any position can be made.
It is exactly opposite the fort Shooters Hi, and
is think, within range of the heavy guns, alshogh
no serious damage could be done with them. The
hill is covered by beautiful oak grove, in the edge
of which is the residence of Mr.. Mason, from whom
it takes 1t name. From this point Washington Is
plainly visible, and with good PAIR OF glasses
many of its familiar spots be distinguished. Doe
can look down upen NunsOns and Halls hills, and
it can be seen at glance that this projects them
both and that guns here could be used TO assist in
the defence of them or in rendering them untenea-
Bile should fortune place the enemy in the positions
now held by US. The view from this hill is very
much finer than from Muns0n's, but on account of
the distance soneWhsb less distinct and the outline
less sharply defined Il would be I hard task to
crit else either. to institute any comparison be.
tween them.
Leaving my hospitable quarters with the Wash
ington Artillery party OF US rode over to Lewins
vile, where the fight took place few days ago in
order TO make a typographical survey of the field
There are now no relics Of the fight, and few evi
dences that any unusual disturbances had taken
place. We found party Of our piekets at the
cross roads busily engaged in chatting with two
pretty young ladies, who had walked some distance
to bring them nice dinner and a can Of butermilk.
The pickets sprang to the saddle on our approach,
and halted us some yards away, but upon giving
the countersign we were allowed TO come up. The
alarm caused the little rebel hearts to beat rapidly
for a moment but when assured we were friends
we were cordially welcomed, and were interested
by remarks and criticism upon the character and
habits of the Yankee officers who have frequently
visited their house in search of Secessiouists.-
Bright eyes are dangerous to roaming soldiers, so
we tore ourselves away and turned into the fields.
While there we found one or two Of the proJectles
fired from the enemys battery, but could find none
of the shells that had exploded. One only had the
back pars torn of, but both pieces went into the
ground together. Nearly all these shots fell short
and lodged in field Immediately in front Of our
position. s.s.-
While speaking of this skirnish, an Incident con-
nected with it comes to my mind. Notwithstanding
the assertion Ofthe ener1y, that they had accom-
s1oI unHrr