Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-10-31


the all-pervading influence. Wherever VI
turn our eyes, We see something to remind
US of the shield of war, one side golden, the
other brazen, hung up between the Nortt
and South. If We go to the workshops, We
find them manufacturing bayouet scabbards
belts and cartridges; if to the parlor, w
see fair fingers busy upon uniforms; or il
to the cookery, there angelic woman is pre-
pairing some deIicacy for the sick soldier
If we 20 into the streets, the military gart
is seen, and eager knots hanging about the
shady pavements and hotel poroheS, de-
vouring the papers, discussing the rumors
and talking of the war. Even we ascend
a neighboring peak, there in the wild soil
tude of the mountains, we behold the white
eucampment of the marshalled host, dotting
the distant plains.
Speaking of cartridges above, We are re-
minded that Mr. John r. Spillman, very
ingenious and industrious mechanic of this
town, has discovered decidedly improved
method of making them, for which he has
secured the patent, or entered caveat.-
Mr.. Sam'l Chiffon, a refugee from Wash.
ington city, and the distinguished lawyer
who defended Sickles in the Key case,
kindly assisted US in getting into the man
ufactory, over the door of which was writ
ten "Positively no aamsittance." The ma
chinery for manufacturing the cartridges is
exceedingly simple and dozen little boys
can turn of $1,000 per week. The wrap,
per is twirled around stick, hollow cyl.
inder at one end, and the paper is tucked
in 80 as to retain the ball without the ne.
cessity of tying. The ball is then dropt in
and pushed down With the other end Of the
stick, as far as it will go-thus becoming
powder-tight. This is the labor of one
person. Another pours in the charge Of
powder; while two or three other busy.
fingered lads fold the paper over the open
end of the cartridge, and press it down
firmly in curious little machine construct.
ed for the purpose. The cartridge is now
complete, with half the labor bestowed in
the old methed of making them; and we
venture to say that the soldier can shoot
three times with them to twice with the
cumbrous things Of the United States
When Mr.. Spillman showed his design to
Beauregard, he declared he had never seen
anything comparable to it; and ordered
him to make every cartridge he could for
the government. He is even tearing up
old ones and reconstructing them on his
plan. The "Spillmau cartridge" will doubt
less supercede the one now in use; and
Mr.. Spillmau, himself, must be regarded
as great benefactor of his country.
We cannot conclude without giving you
q brief account of visit on Tuesday, in
company with Orderlies Farr and Mason,
to the Rappahannook mountain. This is a
beautiful peak six miles distant, midway
between Warrenton and Salem. We start
ed early in the morning after "views a-foot, u
determined to pass the day among the hills
and grassy vsles On the way we halted
at Mr.. Gaskin's, where Mr.. Farr had
made acquaiutances, and accepted an invi
tation to call as we returned and dine. Soon
we were standing on the top of the Kappa
hammock or "Wild- cat" mountain, with ar
ocean of plains spreading to the South
East, and the beautiful farms of Upper
Fauquier aud "the free State" on the Other
side, while beyond them heaved skyward
the wild and rugged peaks of the Blue
Ridge in their mantle Of cloud and smoke
This view is said to almost equal that sc
celebrated, from the white mountains o.
New England. The "free State" is par
of grant to Lord Fairfax in colonial days
1t was divided into small tenantries, and {
curious condition imposed on each tenant
to whom lease was given, was that hs
"must plant an apple orchard" A dozer
or so large worm.gnawed, bird -pecked ap
ple.trees, which appear to have sighed il
the wintry blasts of centuries, stand nov
on the very summit of the mountain
Most of the "free State" fell into the hand.
of Chief Justice Marshall in his day, and
is still owned by the family. Although
there is perhaps not single respectable
cottage on the whole of it.-and it is nea1
ten miles by six in extent, aud although il
was under cultivation hundred years ago
yet, much of the lands are said to be worth
$50 per acre What a comment on The
folly of those farmers who can rip up {
plantation in ten years
Mr.. Gaskin is fine old Virginia gen
tlemau, living in elegant retirement amongs
ne:ghbors like himself; nearly every one
of whom has, or has had, one or more in
valid soldiers with him. enioyinp the boun