The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1861-07-27

The Notifications are being strongly rein
forced by fresh troops.
1t is supposed that Gen Mansfield will TAX
command Of the Notifications on the other sid,
Of the river.
Large rided cannon and mortars are beins
sent over. aa.t' ~,
Correspondence from the Seat of War.
| CAAp PIcKESs, MANASSAS JUNCTION, VA.
July 18th, 1861.
kditor Of the Patriot,
My last was written from Camp Moore. A
few days afterwards we were mustered into
the Confederate service, aud on the Path o
june III. company with the Cheneyville Rifles
Minden Blnes, Bienville Rifles and FraDkli,
Sharpshooters, left for Richmond, Va. OuI
trip was as disag- eeable as can be imagined
just picture to yourself 40 men, with arm
and ac%coutrements, crowded into q freight car
with short rations, q due propotion on the
sick list, in o cold DRILLING rain, and you may
imagine how soldiers are transported, and what
kind ola time we had on the road. However
all seemed determined to make the best Of it
the men sing ng and cheering AMI ever amor
asythe cars halted, the band striking up a
martial ar: Sunday morning yseersached
Lynchbnrg, whence We wereordered to pro.
coed Immediately to this place; il seeming to
be the general superstition at that time, that
in a few days the Federalists would make an
advance with all their forces in that direction.
Ibis order was peculiarly gratifying to all; as
the time seemed not far distance when we
would have An opportunity of paying our re-
gard to the hired minions Of old Abe in a
manner that would convince them of the mad
ness and folly of persisting longer in their un-
holy crusade against us and ours.
Soon after our arrival we were Joined by
Lieut.. Dejean with l6 recruits, bringing letters
from home together With snndry packages,
from our Opelousas friends, for which they
VIII receive Souf most sincere thanks. Late
III the evening the command - TALL in was
sounded, End a few moments later we were
under way for Manassa, junction, the head
quarters Of the army Of the Potomac, when we
arrived next morning about 8 o'clock and i'm
mediately pitched our tents. During the night
run from l,ynchburg, we rassed near and
through places not only consecraied by some
of the foldest and happiest associations Of
your correspondent, but also comme,nprated
- Ss 0o oSVHCo5 ~ 6UluG III tllG IlOSL SIR
rlngaesents of the old revolution. | mean. of
course, the University of Va. embracing with
in its classic walls the great States-right-law
school of the South; where for more than a
quarter Of a century strict construction of the
: constitution, and the doctrine of state rights
have been expounded with an ability and pow
er that have not failed to awaken in the minds
OF Southern men q sense of their rights TO-
gether with the duty Of vindicating them BY
the last resort-secession-and All appeal to
case the north persisted in the ar.
gresslve war, so long and nnrelentingly waged
against us. But q mile further on is Char
|ottesviIle, for o short time during The %reyolu-
lion the headquarters OF Tarletoa and his legion
whose fiendish acts it seems to have been re-
,erved to the enemies who now desecrate the
soil OF the Old Dominion to initiate and sur.
pass.
a little east of Charlottesville rises Month
clio, once the residence of thnt great philoso.
bier and statesman Thomas Jefferson. and
where his remains now repose. Though one
them who inangurated the revolution il was
he peculiar fortune Of Mr.. JafieIsnn to be
pared long enough TO witness the practical
workings OF the government, organized under
With the calm foresight of one who had
'robed the science Of government to its pro.
depth, he foretold the final dissolution
nd d~isentegration Of the goyernment-be had
so conspicuous a part in establishing.
Snt enough Of this depression. Manassas
junction derives its Importance in a military
'oint Of view from being the point at which
he Manassas Gap Rail Road, running N. w.
ON this place and piercing the Blue Ridge
t Manassas Gap (whence The name Of fhe
oad) uniles with the Orange and Alexandria
Dad leading from Richmond to Alexandria.
,nce IN possession of .ihis point an enemy
have control ofroaas leading to The most
Important places in the interior. In fact il
nay be termed the key to Va. in q military
,uinf Of view.
Had The Federalists pushed boldly on i'm.
hediateiy after seizing Alexandria, they mirh,
ave made themselves master OF it, ard snc.
eeded in making good their boast Of beng in
Richmond on the 4th Of July. But thew de.
erred SO doing a little too late; they let The
opportunity slip and they now might
8 well dismiss all idea of occupying It.
nay be safely asserted that old Abe will never
seize and occupy" this particular point. II
!. rather too far "in the interior" for h I'M
Naturally the place presents no defences. hnt
has supplied all ne.which nature was
and to-day the solid earth works snrs
The place, bristle with cannon. whose
threats seem to threaten destruetinn
0 q foe advancing from any direction. Doubt
ss yon would like to have me enter more INTO
but secrecy being Of prime importance
J militury affairs, ! dare not say more. The
til Of July was not observed with apv cere.
'ony in camp. 1t seemed strange That il
,ould come and go unnoticed, bringing to
lind, as it did, so mauy pleasant memories Of
le pass. coupled with sad reflections as 10 the
resent aud future, especially when the heavy
,ports OF the artillery in Washington, as thew
roke upon the ear, told us the enemy we're
celebrating it as usual. 1t seems indeed a
range slate Ct affairs that We, who are now
offending for the grandest principle enupcia. I
din the immortal declaration, should nass
lie day unobserved, while those who are con,
'nding against Us should usher it in with sal.
os of artillery. OF all the days in the valendar /;
time the 4th July should be regarded a. the
ost ominous 10 despots. and that Lincoln {
rapidly becoming one, The history of The
st 4 mouths is amply sufficient to nrore
ate in The evening however considerable ey