Shreveport daily news., 1861-06-08
A Private Letter from the Seat Of
War.

- u
War.
Through the politeness of our fel.
low citizen, w. s. Lewis, Esq, we
are.pcrmittcd to publish the follow
ing letter, which will be found verv
interesting:
ENCAMpMEST ls'r REG IA. Vols, J
Near Norfolk, May. !sth, 1861. !
Ny Dear FatAcr: We are still
leading the monotonous life of an en-
eampment: though we are kept con-
tlnually on the Yui rirc, from the hour
y expectation of orders to move to
the field for active service. Every
thing seems to be drawing to cul.
m,nat ny point, and indicate speedy
COLLISION between the two armies.-
Last hight the town of Alexandria
was token by the Yankees, without
any Resistance on the part Of our
forces
we had stationed there about six
h1'ld ed men, but they were compell-
ed to evacuate. there being about
hve thousand Federal troops against
them. There was either verv had
management on the part of the Vir-
Sl1ta authorities, or it was stroke
of policy on their part-which opin-
ion is entertained by many-that this
point Was lett in almost a defenseless
state. III order to induce the enemy
TO attack at that particular point
BE that as it may, the city il really
taken.
The celebrated Col. Ellsworth, Of
a New York Regiment, was killed by
the hotel keeper OH entering the town.
Ellsworth Commanded the landlord
to take down a secession flag which
waved above his house, which he
the landlord) refused to do, where
upon Il quarrel ensued, and the brave
landlord "a fit representative Of the
name he bore, ,.J ack son, shot him dead.
The consequence of which was. that
the Yankee cu,.throats cut him up into
lnince-meat Praises are in every
bodv's mouth, of the daring deed of
this gallant man. 1t was certainly a
very brave act. For he knew, if he
killed Ellsworth, he himself would be
murdered by the enemy. Honor! all
honor to this gallant spirit! And
NAV his memory be nursed in the bo-
som Of every true Southern son.
Troops are being concentrated very
rapidlv at Alexandria. We are hour
lv expecting an order to move to that
point; for they will most certainly
retake it. We may be retained in
our present position, since tbs is
very important point; and the gene
raj opinion is that the enemy will at
tempt a landing very shortly. in
which case it will be our important
duty to rcpel them. l wish | had a
chart of this point to enclose. then
vou might form IL very correct idea
of the position OF affairs.
On the right bank of the river,
(tl,e Norfolk side,) they are very
strongly fortified, there being six or
seven batteries, but on the ..er side,
9TH. Portsmouth side,) we are much
weaker, there being only Que battery
to silence, to make landing; but
there are "regiments-our own and
an Alabama resiment-placed to
guard the roads leading to Norfolk,
one wagon, the other railroad
which are very close together, and
Which are the only means lowing to
.wamps, &c.) by which all army can
reach town, from this side.
The Alabama men have the pro-
lection of the former aud we of the
latter road 1t makes little difference
by which road they approach, in eth
er case we would have the fuu of re.
pelIing them, because there are seve-
raj companies of cavalry acting as
scouts, and they will apprise us of
any approach long before the enemy