Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-06-07
Correspondence of thesWhiG.
TENT-IIFE AT MANASSAS.
CAMP PIckESs, MANASSAS JUTcrIoN,
June Sd 1861.

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To the EaitOr Of the Wing:
The Quiet civilian has not the antest conception what
ever OF the life so many of are at present leading
None but the pen-the inimitable pen-of Wash ngion
Irving could sketch the scenes which daily surround us
Our situation is of much more beauty than the care
less observer would think first reaching the place
Ca the west the shadowy outlines Of the Blue Ridge
stretch their graceful proportions till they meet ana
mingle in the dim distance, with the narrowing il OF
the horizon. On the east lies unbroken surface OF
dreamy owand which forciby reminds you of the calm
serenity which hovers above our old Virginia country
homes To the SOUTH the pasture lands Of Cupeper and
Fauouier rich in luxuriant growth Of sweet scented
clover, and verdant with waving fields of deepgreen
rraiu meet the gaze While to the north, the thought
tha. close along the borders of haowed old State,
rooppg numbers of hireling sodiery are pressing with
defling tread our consecrated soil fs the mind with
feeling of kening sadness.
The scene which is presented to the eye by large
campment is one of very great beauty All along the
sides of soping hills the clustering tents OF regiment
after regiment rise before the VISION while serted ranks
of fearless sodiery with their varied styles OF uniform
are seen marching with erect form and animated tread to
the soul stirring of FIFE and DRUM and low and then
a solitary horseman rides rapidly across the feld like
swtwinged messenger athwsrt the bosom OF the sky,
delivers his orders and darts away another and more
urgent Grand Blue wreahs of curling smoke are seen
ascending from the numberless canpres which CLEAN
all about US; while neighing horses and sow-moviug
wagons laden with provisions relieve the monotony Of
the scene.
1t would be well to OF our tents and
g -; al sLar
time.
The soldiers life ia peculiarly happy; asentence whose
truthfuness many will doubt but which needs bu.
few weeks experience to confirm.
The reasons of this will be At obvious TO every
thoughtful mind, men OF every temperament are
thrown together in familiar intercourse and each
one speedily learns that his individual pecuarities
must no. and cannot be grstifed The social
intercourse of the camp is delightfully."- pleasant
sad the attachments formed around our glowing frs
will 20 with us al through our lives. Though We are
within few miles of the enemy, ard our friends ae
dreadfuy fearful about welfare yet We lie down to
seep at night without moments uneasiness that our
sumbers will be broken by the invasion of the enemy
Faithful sennes tread their lonely round, through the
heavy hours of the lggiug night aud trusting entirely
to .heir fithunes wrapping our blankets abou: US, We
lie down 10 dream Of absent homes and attached friends
some perhaps of pighed love- not to be broken until the
ringing notes of the moruing drum break the Stiffness
Of the dawning day.
In my future notes hope speak more at length of
our company, Captain Shields HOwiizer BatteryD and
the personnel of our Commanding General Beauregard
and other ci,ers of distraction about us together with
o.be- incidents of camp life CHAPLAIN.