The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-08-02
An Epa,ishman's View Of ATairs ut the
Seat Of War,
Especial Correspondence of the London Herald. !


Especial Correspondence Of the London Herald.
RicasosD, Va, Junel7, 1861.
1t, is SCARCELY possible to convey TO those on
the other side of the AtlaAsc correc, idea ot
the enthusiasm that prevails in the Con FEEDER.
ate States The English nation has sucb n
sources, and people r. home n, st be prepared
b. and by IN have their MINDS disa bn sed q,
| IN nv old preindices and precorceved notions
which prevent them from forming right con
illusions respec ting the present position of men
and things in the Southern States. the vii
war. which now threatens TO deluge thu conn
try with blood, has been long expected. For
years the tendency of things has been hasten
ing the crisis which at length has arrived. and
tbs result of which it il iYnposs BILE to predict
Inc people here complain bitterly of the poll
cy of the North with regard TO them; and 10 y
that war has been declared they seem prepared
and determ ined to defend their territory IN d
maintain their self government, with what.
ever sacrifices the struggle may be attended.
During my journey through Tennessee aud
virginia, | found but one spirit pervading the
inhabitants, and believe that these States of
the Confederacy are perfectly indicative Of the
feeling and determination that &C tuate the
others. The call for troops made by Pres iden I
Davis has been readily responded to bv all
classes. Youths belonging TO the first fam lies
have in the country, in many ms tances en- tered
the ranks OF me Confederate army, while others
maintain VIII ole com panies at their personal
cost Clorgymen councillors, ph ysicians men,
in fact, of the highest social positions. have
nnheSitatingly given up their homes, qrittad
their families and resigned their prospects in
INA to accept the doubtful chances OF war
could nArrdte many touching incidents Whicn
came under my personal obser vation, such ar
young men taking leave of their aged parents
husbands of wives, and fathers Of children In
Journeying through the country the scenes at
the rliiWay pots were often OF heartrena-
ing description, and IN .de me feel acuLeiv The
horrors CT civil war, which now bids fair to
decimate the population and turn this beam
t6ous land III to universal desoIa ton and woe
Inc military RrdOr and aptitude OF the peo-
pie hera are remarkable. There Is ne lack of
yolun teers, for they continna to pour III con
tin uoEsly from the various aeceding States.-
All the ordinary resources Of the numerous
raj way com panies have failed. 20 that lug
gage waROns ave to ba employed and even
temporary ears improvised in order to dispa tch
troops 10 the seat OF war. 1t is surprising
how, in so short time, tens Of thousands OF
men could have been drilled, uniformed and
equipped, and prepared to meet the enemy -
Many OF the costumes are exceedingly becom-
ing, others are pIcturesque but most OF them
made more fore use than show. The wea-
pons used by the troops are of varied char
acter, and embrace every thing from Minnie
rifs TO q DO vie knife. In this respect the Se6
eral troops have the advanta ge, rs, from the
aoundanca Of rifles at their disposal thew are
not compelled 10 make q virtne Of nereSsitr
and seize any arms that may ba within reach
One officer said to ms the other day that he
would pay any amount OF money could he hui
procure ons hundred English rifles to give his
company. SO far as regard weapons however
the Confederate army is better CT Al present
than 1t "-as soma f5S ~ea ks ago. Arms are
being had Some where, notwiths5 landing the
bocHadng Of The ports aD1 there is sut!iciept :
ammunition, | am told to las. for two o,r, .
ragns. There is an abundance OF 'rovisIons
aso III the country, although d .ereut i'm .
preston widely obtains in the North Iudsed
] know upon he best authority that there n-s
suficieut provisions now stored TO sunnly Inc
rrn G he
principal purchase of stores was fortunately
com pleted TIE day before the blockade was
proclaimed.
The city OF Richmond presents a singular
appearance. II is literally teerning vi IN SOL
diers, and scarcely man Is 10 be met with ia
the streets who does not wear 4 military cos
tune. The hotels are crowded 10 ipconva-
nisnce, and ore perpetual round Of excitement
prevails from early morn to dewy eve
Business, Is a matter OF course is en- tireIy sus-
pended, and every one is eagerly looking for
ward to the issue of the present struggle, and
"ondeliag what course England and France
but more especially the forner-wil, pursue
with regard 10 the existing comrlica tions be-
tween The oelligsrent States The South looks
confidently 10 Crest Britain for her couute.
nance and recGgn! ton believing that eventual.
ly such course OF policy would prove r,utr-
silly beneficial. aGt hasten the termination of
the aruggle in H2ich this country is now IN.
happily engaged.
ic ONJfN VI ttlT GOnIHUeT2tS army
uatinz Harpers Ferry wns TO co-opera:e with
troops III the rear, and especially with those
under command OF General Beaurexard at
IhanaSsas Junction, which opposes the adj
vance OF the Federal armF IRON Alexandria
After thi- movement the enemy retired from
Romley, q position which ne had only taken
the day before, ana fell back upon Gurnber-
Land, about one hundred tEi thirty miles from
VI tncnas Ter, which City the forces at HaTi,er's
Ferry now occupy. This strategic movement
on the part CT the Confederate army is much
applauded, for /: is likely 10 interrup. very
seriously the piane OF attack formed by Gene
raj Scott. Every one hero expects that 4 ser;-
ous and ssnzuinary battle viii take place in a
very few days.