The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-10-10
CAMP GOMEZ. Hampton's Legion

- Z
Army OF the Potomac, Oct Z, 1851
Since l i4st wrote you we nave advanced
considerably towards the enemy-to what
precise point | will not inform you though l
link The LIncolnites could, as they give 1t a
much wider berth in passing. Sulnce II to
say, that we built, working day ana night, Il
battery III double quick time, ana That one
bright aud beautiful morning last week the
Stars and Bars waved free and fearlessly
from lutting point OF the Potomac, where
little dreamed the foe the night pe1ore n
SoUtherner was nigh. Several war steamers
and innumerable small sails were hehvlng
around, and Immediately opened upon our
(then> little battery of three guns-two II
Founders, rifietl. OF the Legion, and one thiT-
ty-two- The complir1ent was not returned
BY Capt. Lee until the eighth shelf feli
around us, when we replied slowly and de-
liberately,-our guns, especially the IL pound
ers made in Richmond, surprising the eXpec-
taton of the officers, compelling the Yankee
vessel to withdraw entirely out Of range in
about half an hours firing. However, with
heavier mortars, they kept up an irregular
cannonade for two days, but without doing
the slightest injury to anybody or anything.
Col. Hampton, while riding up 10 the bat
terry had himself and horse covered with dast
by the explosion Ofa bomb in few feet OF him.
This little affair was only what our boys, who
spent the winter around Fort Sumter, call
''sIv rocket on the beach :" but bearings and
design may he made manifest ere 1ong-nor
was it without immediate effect. The Colo
mel, on dress parade, commended In hlgh
iery for their steady aim and successful tire.
which had closed the Potomac to the enemy
here; the infantry for their cheerful and Wig
orous aid in the trenches and their readiness
and anxiety to meet the probable landing of
the enemy, and 70 the cavalry for their faith
tut yigiis in guarding the camp in the silent
hours Of night resulting in the capture OF
several prisoners,
Having bivouac5pd nearly q week on the
banks OF the lovely river in hope that the
enemy might be tempted to laud and oher
hattie, and finding that they had no such
idea, We have returned TO camp. The weather
is cool and hTacipg, and, l am gratltied to
add. the health OF our Legion has great
IS improved: our ranks are fun again
I'll are anxious to be moving on The
most dispri,ing news which has ever reached
orr camp is ihat we may probably 20 into
win ter quarters on this side the Potomac
than which nothing could be more disap-
pointing and dissa tisfIctory to the southern
soldiers, if al may be judged by the spirit
peryading this portion OF the army. With
unmurmuriug patience they have endured
the diseases that have decilnated their nums
hers, and all the priyatiOns and wants Of q
first campaign, and now that 4 benign Proyi-
deuce has rebuked the disease, and health and
vIgor SEA in returned TO our ranks, they can.
not appreciate the policy which would keep
@5p.@0o Southern mcn--a number sufficient to
40 almost any thing-enciOsett in ice and snow
live Or SIX months TO &ereaa Virginia alone
We have always had the utmost confidence
III our Generals; INT if our inactivity here
shall encourage the North Il invade the Cot
ton States, (as il Wii! when frost shall have
made its1te % land along our coast, and If
the spring campaign should find US doing
over ali tiiat Las heeIi---7Then u brilliant, 81
r. n sant ous movemeTt into MARY land and
thence into Washington ana Baltimore
would secure our rec gUiti0n abroad, and EN-
afe us 10 ca New ears dinner in peace at
lone -re VIII begin to think TINT some body
somewhere = net she orig h man Ill the ri. i.t
pls"e."
Capt. Spans company (GerInan,) from