New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-06-12
FROM ALEXANDRIA.
From Our Special Correspondent


CAMP AT ALEXANDRIA, June g. 1861.
In these quiet days of watchfuness and waiting
while the army is noselessy gathering s strength and
curling it's resessness with all the determination
master opportunities for the exercise of courage and
hardihood are enjoyed by the picket guards alone
The bravery Of these humble heroes is not ess gen.
uine because it seldom comes to be honored before
the world Day after day, and by night as well,
the little squads Of men, two or three in party,
penetrate for miles the rebel country open to on
slaughts from enemies ever alert and interruptions,
and protected only by their own caution and activity
while they are gnor n. of the localities in which they
are stationed, their assailants familiar with every
path and grove, and hill, and thus destitute them
selves of means of SHELTER they often at the mercy
of hidden assassins whose retreats it 10 impossible for
them to discover. And yet, although many of
already have thus been ingloriously sacrificed, and
the concealed attacks of the Jackson tribe and their
followers are known to be always impending, the
duties of picket guard sought with alacrty, and
the cheeruness with which post of this kind is taken
is always in proportion to the hazardous responsibility
itentails.
There is certainly no lack of bravery among our el-
lows--each day affords abundant proof Of this-but
there sometimes seems to be melancholy absence of
the discipline without thorough recognition Of which
personal vaor loses half its force with an army If
we should ever meet at the outset Of operations,
with any slight reverse, it will be surely due to the
very misunderstanding Of this vital element Of military
strength. Tie few nisadventures we have already
had TO lamentnone of them Of serious but in
yoying the loss Of few liyes that should not have
been thrown away-may be traced precisely TO this
cause One of the most recent the skirmish at Clouds
Mill, wss O monstrous example of DETECTION from
positive duty. There was no want Of courage
in the case but AN utter caelesness TO the result Of
dsregarding superior orders. The MILL it is doubtless
remembered stands some four miles outside of Alex
andria OF the road TO Fairfax Cout-House. 1t was
seized to prevent the manufacture of flour for the use
Of the Rebels, and at the time Of its occupation was
known to be surrounded by parties Of armed Disunion
lists, unorganized, but still mischevous On the second
day 1t was held by q company Of volunteers from the
Michigan regiment, under Capt. Roth, who were to
remain in possession until reevedn the afternoon For
thereef waslonger delayed than suitedbe
Impotence Of the Michigan company, whose command
er after q watch which was doubtless wearisome and
dsagreeable, having lasted twenty -four hou in def
ance Of all rule called in his pickes gathered his men
together and at 10 o'clock Of dark night marched of
toward camp, leaving tDe Piace ehlreiy thdeended
The Rebel stragges were not slow to take advantage
Of this desetion. AS the way ascerained,
10 be clear they collected to the number Of twenty or
twenty five, and established themselves in the best po
sition they could ind near tue mill. Meanwhile, the
Michigan company had been met on it's way to town
BY company of Zouayes, who, not expecting to find
friends at that point prepared to receive them ne enc
mics. A moments delay in explanations would
nave brought bOodsbed here, but it was fortunately