The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-10-16
roR THE LANCASTER LEDGER.
foRKrowS, Va, Oct, 9th.

D,
Is little less than per cent.
On the 18th ut., we packed our baggage
and took passage aboard tho cars of the
Richmond g. York River Railroad and bro.
ceeded to West Point, the terminus of the
road. 1t is situated at the junction of the
Pamunky and another little river with nm
Indian name, which | do not recolcct-
these two form York River. At West
Point we went aboard the Logan, very
nice boat. but it travels very slow. 1t pro.
ceeded down York River and landed us at
Old Yorktown, the celebrated crowniuu
point OF tho revolution. 1t was t..n, no
doubt, hourishing and probably an im-
poftant place, but to-day, not one family re-
sides here, grim visaged war;" has caused
the inhabitants to fly to parts more secure.
The threats of Gen. Wool added to the
near proximity Of the blockade, proved n
terrible warning to the defcnseess residents
and their apparent safety was in removal,
and were it not for the soldiery could lust.
ly be styled "the deserted village"
Before and during the war with England,
Yorktown was an importing town and sold
goods to Philadelphia and other cities
The building occupied by the Nelson fami-
ly is still standing. It was the head quar-
ters of Corvallis. In the east end are the
marks OF two smal! cannon balls shot BY
our cannons. Washington held the Spots.
wood house, n wooden building, which is
still Inhabited. II was in this house that
the terms of surrender were signed by
Corvallis. The surrender was made the
next day, not in person as Is generally
thought. but his sword was sent by one Of
his generals to one of Wnshington's. Tho
place OF surrender was near y half way be-
tween the headquarters Of the two COM
mands and is now designated by a small
pillar, bearing the simple inscription. "Erec.
rected TO mark the spot Of CORVALLIS sur
render, Oct. 10Th, 1881"
My muse is not prortious this morning,
or could indulge in poetic effusion for
hours and weary your readers in high
wrought and burning sonnets on the scene
| ry in front and around the old ruins Here
and there we see an old breast work, some
times stumble over the fragments of bomb
shell, sent as death messenger from the
throats Of British mortars, and often you
meet with delapidated buildings made of
brick and lime imported from England
The River is beautiful! indeed. it ranges
from ono to fifteen miles in width and
looks like a large CLASSY lake. There is a
| resemblance between this and the st. Johns
OF Florida On the opposite back is Glou.
cester Point. Il is now we'll fortified by n
cannon which are manned by experienced
engineers.
| The Notifications on this side when com
p'ete will be strong enough t. withstand
any attack. The post is commanded by
Gen. Magruder, Of Mexican notoriety. He
| is n fine looking man and has an officer like
bearing. He reviewed the troops at this
place last Sunday for the first timc. We
were all pleased with his fine military np.
pearance, but thought six hours in the 10,
sun with muskets and knapsacks aboard
was too much to double quick over stub!e
field.
This command is about $4,000 strong =
there arc about $4,000 stationed along the
| river. The extreme right extends nearly TO
Newport News, and is composed chiefly of
Virginians and North Carolinians. The
left wing is comp osed Of the 9th and 18th
Louisiana regiments, (the 18th is the Pc.
lish Brigade and is commanded by Col.
| TulicoskI, an excellent officer) the 9th
9Th aud 18th Alabama; two from North
| Carolina ed Florida, and Cobb's Legion
| the 9th Georgia the New Kent Cavalry
and company Of Howitzers, from Virginia.
The extreme left Is stationed at Williams.
burg, a distance Of l2 miles from this place
| Your humble correspondent is not e1pe-
rieneed 10 war affairs, nor does he know
anything personally of the Confederate ar
my, but If he had his own choice, he could
not select a better or more efficient force
than IL commanded by Geni. Magrudes.-
The Polish Brigade, or as It is known now
18th Louisiana Regiment, is n powerful bo.
dy Of men, and pre ~ brave as lions
| Cobb's Legion is composed OF infantry,
2 rifle, howitzer and 4 troops Of cavalry
II Is we'll drilled and when on parade, the
very sight imparts confidence to the behol
der. The other regiments are doubtless ol
the right calibre. We are all waiting for
Gsnl. Wool to show his hand. Magruder
has challenged him frequently, but cup.
pose the fate Of Manaasa 10 fresh ia his
memory. He knows that Fortress Monroe
is safer place than the broad open plains
OF this Peninsula. We have taken several
OF his spies. who came here in the guise oi
fishermen. One chap had nearly all OF the
breastworks mapped of, the number and
calibre Of our guns put down. and was ia
possession Of many facts that MATERIAL in
terestsd the security Of the place, but hs
was nipped in the bud, and now enjoys his
rations in the tobacco factories of Rich
mond with the prisoners captured at Man
nassa.
IL Gen'I. Msgruder does not get into ar
engagement in week or so, he will order
US into winter quarterA We anticipate .
severe winter, though we have not hac
frost yet. Our camping ground is quit,
open and exposed. IL is lily suited to We
weather and will be quite uncomfortable
when the winter sets in.
Ii is just soventy.fve miles TO Ri,hmon'
and 10 one day We can get anything W,
need.
From private sources hear often from
Lancaster. aud am proud that she SUSTAIN
her chivalrous character in this unholy war
1t is with pleasure that see names in th
army that held place in the Seminole an,
Mexican wars and although time has whi
tened the locks OF many, they are anon!
the youth Of this period under arms In dc
fence Of their rights
The Ladies' from Dixon's line to Texas
| may say throughout the land OF "Dixis,
nro active in our behalf When we visI
the Hospitals, we see ladies Of wealth an,
refinement from every State in the South