Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1861-11-13
To Our Soldiers.

To Our Soldiers.
What can We say to you this weok, dear SOL
diers? Since our last, change has come over
the spirit of our reflections on the war, aud We
find our standpoint Of observation partially in
vertrd. Last week VIC were looking "to our SOL
diers" On the border with keen and almost und-
rided interest; this week our expectations and
hopes arc in large part directed "to our soldiers"
upon the coast But whether looking to the coast
or to the borler we still far from entertaining
doubt as to the final result. You will have hear,l
about The entrance Of the Yankee fleet into Port
Royal harbor, &c. The news reached our village
on Saturday last. Being very busy at home that
day, we did not go over to town until after sup
per, at which hour we hoped to hear by the eve
ning's mail better news than VIC had been led to
fear was coming. But not 80. AS We approached
the Post Office piazza tit was now dark) the place
was 50 still We began to think the mail was come,
the postmaster gone, and We left out.,-
"Like one who treads alone
Some banquet ball deserted"
Not SO again. On going up nearer, We discov-
cred, by tho dark shadowing about the Office door,
that there were living creatures still lowering
around that portal of intelligence, and we knew
at once that the mail had not arrived. But why
this gloomy stiffness? Into the piazza We stamp
ed Gt was muddy ,underfoot) md said "good cve-
ming" Some one or two of those present man
aged to squeeze out n syllable utterance that
sounded like 4 re:ponac in, recognition. We saw
at once that something was wrong, and. in few
moments, were made aware Of the fact of news
having come from Augusta that afternoon To the
effect that II number Of Yankee ships had cn:crcd
Port Royal, having silcncct' cur guns there, and
that the entrance Lud been attended with some
casualties to our troops. Of course the news vas
depressing ut the moment, but it was also we'll
calculated to arouse the deeper passion Of hatred;
and this it was, as much as disappointment, that
silcnced all tongues and clouled all faces On the
first receipt of the Intelligence. Looking ut the
matter nationally, it was no great fetc Of aris for
twenty well-appointetl war steamers, carrying
some five hundred guns, to pass up the channel Of
an inlet nearly three miles wide, under the ire Of
two or three Garth works with only about ffty-
seven guns all told. Still the circumstance is at
oncc nortifying to our pride and well calculated
to create some alarm for its after results. 1t may
however appear in the sequel, that this grand
demonstration Of the enemy was made at a for
tuuate place for the Confederate cause; and by
| this we mean not only that it might hure been
worse, both iu its immediate and consequent re-
suits, if made ut other and more vulnerable points,
bu. that tho present LEGALITY is central to the Con-
federate States md will be more readily invested
for defence or attack than many others thatlnisht
have been selected by the foe. It may also give
Savannah, Charleston, Mobile and New Orleans
tue to take effective steps for their safety, which
probably would not have been thoroughly done
but for this realization of tac strength OF the
Lincoln armada. Preparation of tine coast
must now become tho business of our state
Legislatures ns well as Of the Confederate Con-
rress. Al must cork together and no expense
must De spared. So far US the attack on South
Carolina is concerned, the cry "To The rescue,
comes from all her Confederate sisters, and she
will herself show \ force in her own defence ready
to bear the brunt Of the invading column, should
any thing OF the sort be attempted
Maj NJ. c. BUTLER, of the Legion, reached
home on shor, visit daring the past week. We
are all glad To find him looking so well and hearty.
The campaign lug far seems 10 have agreed with
him admirably: and it is easy to See that be IS
already impatient to get back to his gallant cav
alry. We know he would gl"ry in leading his
brave three hundred to the Charge against any
troops worthy of his steel: but especially would
be lead and they follow with a etm, could they be
privileged TO direct that charge against the inva-
,,ers of South Carolina soil. We trust there WILL
bo no such invasion, but should it occur, and
should tho Government think it advisable 70 send
Us uil, from Va, We of course want the Legion anu
tho lst Brigade. Let us have them to rally upon, and
South Carolina is safe against the armada and its
10000 picked troops.
Capt NJ. W. GARY, of the Legion, is also in
the State on short visit, but we have not yet
had the pleasure Of greeting him here. He lett
Columbia some days ago to visit his mother in
Abbeville District, aud will probably call upon US
at Eigefcld before returning.
We have it to say again, that the mild autumnal
term still continues anu wo write this Tuesday
morning, the spring birds are singing near the
open window, as the fog gradually rises before
"lhe morn
In rusSet mantle clad."
Last night we rode visiting with some ladies'.
1t was one of those lovely evenings when trouba-
dours might tune their richest notes beneath the
lattices of their lady-lovcs Tao moons silvery
sheen and the mystic shadows of the night gave
or beauty or solemnity to the whole scene. Many
u cottage porch and many chamber window
could tell a tulc this morning of the loved ones
who looked from them pensivey upon tho moon
lit Garth and thought of the dear brave hearts IN
the armies Of the State and Country, and dropped
a sweet tear in holy suppication for their safety.
1L;nL Of the nsniratinus and Ycarnings that would