Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-11-12
Provide the Staff of Life.

Provide the staff of Life.
The Clarksville Chronicle, published in len
nessee, says tn it seems to be diff ,ult matter
for the people of the South 10 realize the heavy
which the war imposes upon
them, and the absolute necessity for providing an
abundance of those things that are Indispensable
for our support during its continuance. 1t can
avail them but little to make large crops OF cot
ton and tobacco with no market for either, and
even if they could sell all they could raise, 1t
could advance but little the cause of the South
in the absence of an ample supply of meat and
bread These we can obtain from no quarter II
we fail to raise them, and he Is true pa'rlo'
who will enlarge his corn and wheat helds, ano
multiply his hogs, sheep and cattle, with an eye
to the necessities of his country. No one can
toresee the duration of the war, but any one can
foresee the dire influence of a scarcity of food
upon our ability to prosecute it; and to avert
such calamity, every tiller of the soil should
make the amplest arrangements in his power 70
guard against it-taking into consideration, too,
the probability of an unfavorable season. Anc
Whilst the farmer is doing this, his wife and
daughters should set in motion loom and spin-
ming. wheel, remembering that every thread they
spin and every yard they weave is a contribution
to Southern liberty and in ependence. The So
dier who hazards his life on the battle field and
his health in the camp, looks to those at home t.
supply his wants, and none but the unteeling
speculator can turn deaf ear to the voice u
humanity appealing for food and raiment for our
countrys brave defenders. To the women, this
appeal is never made in vain, and we trust they
will labor Increasingly to infuse into the hearts
of men portion, at least, Of their own noble
spirit and self-sacrifcing devotion. 1t is sad
commentary upon the cha acter of some South
ern men that such an appeal should be needed /;
but the indifference of some, the thoughtlessness
Of others, and the selfish rapacty of not few,
constantly remind US that all are not patriots
who profess to be Southern in feeling and all are
not to be trusted who are loudest in their ex-
pres5ious of devotion to cause which they ap-
precae only to the extent that it can be made
to fill their pockets. 1t is to be hoped, however,
that there are enough of the right sort who will
look beyond self to country, and the present to a
future that will repay every sacrifice in behalf OF
national honor and independence.
From Gen. Floyd's Command.
The following letter is from a reliable officer
in the Floyd Brigade:
CAMP DIoKERsoN, Fayette Co.,
November 2, 1861.
DEAR According to prediction in my
last, we were all ordered the next morning 1si
November) to the place selected for the COM
mencement of the fight with the enemy, and 10
short time the firing commenced and TIE bonn
bard nent became general The enemy could do
us no damage, while their wagons suffered great
| l from our fire. Their men and horses fell on
all sides, while we lost not man all day. While
this was going on orders were sent to me to form
a certain number OF our companies ic coniunc-
lion with portion of Philips Legion, to attack
about 500 Yankees who had crossed over on this
side OF the river ard lad advanced to within 500
yards of our forces. One of the Yankees was
taken prisoner, and from him we learned that
the 500 had lest their way and did not know how
70 get away. his spread great joy among US,
and off we started at double quick, Q forget
ting my lameness.) 1t was raining in torrents,
and night overlook US without our being SO lucky
as TO DDQ the sCOQnQfelS, SO We returned. and
the hgnting across the river lasted all that day
The Yankees communication is now complete
ly cut OFT, aud | hope soon to send the good news
that we lave driven them back across Gauley
Nov. 3.-Yesterday proved most disagree
able day for our forces-raining in torrents
ard very cold and gloomy-well calcu ated to
effect Dis, but tor the glorious consolation that
the Yankees are having rough time of it, fo'
We are pestering them necessarily with our ar
tillery and sharp shooters. We are SO near them
we can hear them talking-only ANAL stream
being between US.
Our soldiers have become so accustomed to
being near them and exposed to their fire, that
they will fight like tigers if given chance, for
they seem to feel it duty to clear the land of
such vandals!
Although the firing was kept up all day on the
End, they havn't hurt any of our men, can
non ball struck the musket of one of our men,
and shivered it, but that was all.
We have seen numbers of their men fall, and
we are still picking them off.
There is camp runor here that we are to be
ordered oil, but we place no relisnce on such ru-
mors; indeed, we are so 'sin for the fun here
now that we would scarcely relish the idea OF
giving up the job of ridding Western Virginia
of these maurauders to any but our General.
The Federal Fieet--Vessels Ashore.