The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-18
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
The Hostile Armfes--1He Flags the Aboii
ttontsts Of Fo,rtar-T Their Fatc.
fcoKERsPoSDESCE OF THE RICHMOND DISPATCH.

MAsoN's HILL, Sept. H. 1861.
In sight of Alexandria and Washing ton and
in the midst of 'wars alarms on every side
of me, the eye detects EN- blems of hostility.
The rafting sabres and loaded muskets OF
our own soldiers meet 1T wherever it turns
the fierce steel of Federal bayonets is gIeam-
ing in the grey distance; and the flags of both
nations fling defantly their Stars d1rd Bars and
Hdrs and Stripes upon the breeze The banner
of the United States is waving in plain view
from IN emiDence near Alexandria and gaZ
ing upon this bddg. of tyranny, and remember
ing the foul disgrace into which II has fallen,
we feel like pointing our eager soldiers 10 the
spot where it floats and invoking them TO tear
down the Inocking emblem and trample 1t
meath their feet Nothing, however, remains
OF 1t but the outward form each Star and
Stripe blazcs as of yore, but the spirit has
forever fed, and where victory was once proud
to perch, now sit cngraVen infamy and de
feat.
A dark shade seems resting upon this por
uon OF the State, and truly has the abolition
fiend compelled his unhappy victims to drain
the cup OF rum to It's dregs. The country I'M
mediately around here was owned almost eN-
clusively by Northern men who emierated TO
it a number OF years ago, bought cheaply our
lands, We're soon admitted to the high name
ana privileges OF true natives but, adder
like, after being warmed in TO life and wealth,
sought TO 1nfilct upon their country q mortal
blow A large majority of these settlers
ted openly for Lincoln, and confident of our
been giving to the enemy all the aid and
comfort In their power. They assisted libe-
rally the grand army in it's advance, protect
ed ana sheltered the flying fugitives in their
flight; and now, that the whole country has
been abandoned to our arms have been
obliged to fly from their homes and property in
to the barren inhospitable reg ions Of the North
Contiscation will of course fall upon their es-
tates, and indeed their household furniture
their gardens, the unripe corn in their fields,
and all the portable effects they owned, have
been appropriated by soldiers, whose
plan OF confiscation in snch cases embraces no
dull routine of legal forms, but like Greelpys $
war, is "short, sharp and decisive" A mile
below Mason's Hill, on the road to Alexan-
dria, resided two of these creatures named
Barcrofts. The elder one--the father-had
accumulated considerable wealth, and upon
his well cultivated farm had Just reared Il
handsome dwelling, highly convenient in its
construction, and supplied with all the com
forts and Injuries OF country residence
The younger one was a practitioner of medi-
cine, and resided near his father. Their
smothered abOltionism burst forth upon the
success of Lincoln: and when the mighty up
rising of the North, that followed the bonn
bardment of Fort Sumter occurred, proclaim
ed themselves in favor Of subjugation. Both
would have fled after the battle of Man&sSa
but large bodies of the Federals still
hovered near, asserting their determination
to hold the country as ontposts, they re
manned.
We attacked the enemy, driving him from
beyond Mason's, which SO precipitated their
flight that everything was left including even
their private letters and papers. The Doctor
left a valuable and extensive library, which
to preserve for his future information, u
squad of our soldiers kindly took possession
of. Beck's Medical Jurisprudence and other
valuable books have been presented to mo
Many besides the Barcrofts had the audacity
to remain here until quite recently, but the
clash of arms at their doors, and the inyarit-
BILE rout of their Northern forces falling upon
tlx1lI. hA 1irz,T .at "A
from Sodom, have at last, Allah be praised,
rid the country of its accursed settlers.
Droyes of horses, hogs and cows, remain
upon many farms, which the QuarLernastrr
of the Government has only to take posses
sion of and credit TO their account of wrongs,
committed against the State. In many of the
deserted houses We're found copies of the
Helper Book, New York Herald Tribune and
other vile productions, whose moral and ,,o-
Htcal lessons, like The Apples of the Dead
Sea, have turned to ashes on the lips and
plunged their fellows into one dark gulf OF
penury ana rum. IrHURlEr
The Commander at Nason's M and his .Iid<-1
Desertrr-The En7nys Pickss Haat Peace, aAd
don't Ike ~ be Shot
MAs0N's HILL, Sept II, Ilel
Our near approach to Wash q gton and Al -
eXandria may be inferred when | announce
that two schooners, with their sails and rig
ging, lying just below the latter city, may be
distinctly seen, and at several points ttIe eve
Mason's Hill is situated IL miles southeast
of Munson's, both command main routes lead
ing TO and from the enemy, are equally i'm
portant i'll point of strategy, and can be used
as the bases of operations either OF offence or
defence.
Col. James l.. Kemper has been command
ing at this post for several days, and his brave
ry, his unceasing vigilance and sagacity, are
ample safeguards against accident and sur
prise. There are indeed few officers in the
service who are as much beloved by those IN =
der his command, or possess in such a degree
the confidence OF the Generals in Chief
Virginia had no more promising statesman
than Col. Kemper whilst the condition of the
country permitted him 10 hold place in her
civil councils. As officer in our armies he
is destined to win solid and brilliant repu-
Ia ton.
In the command of his regiment he is ably
seconded by Lieut.. Col. Williams of Orange
county, formerlya Brigade InspectOr IN the
militia, and one of the most thorough drill
masters in the army, and by Major " TaZe-
well Patton, sCu OF the distinguished John
NJ Patton, deceased, who is also Il graduate
III military science, and an officer OF high
courage and intelligence.
The prisoners we have taken recently re-
port that the Federais have been conteln pia -
ting an attack upon both Mason's and Mum
sons Hills, and ! have lust learned that a
Confederate soldier, belonging TO a MARYLAND
regiment, deserted TO Washington city 4 Fe1
days ago, and informed the enemy of the
condition of things at the latter place which
doubtless led to the advance against it, OF
which you Will be informed before this
reaches you. They attacked as with three
pieces of artillery, which we forced them To
withdraw from the fire of Il single piece be-
longing 10 the Washington Battery, without
having man killed or even injured. The
enemy lost several. We have strong picket
guards below Masons, and from the most
advanced posts numbers of Federal strasglers
can be seen marching and watching upon the
neighboring hills. Their officers have com .
manded them to cease the picket warfare,
and, instead OF the flash of the hidden ~ us
ket, you now behold numerous little white
flags waving from the bushes and tree tons
near where their sentnels posted indi-
eating a wish for peace. IraURIEL.