Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-12-24
GIt MIenqBis aggeaL
LrrrER rRoH YIRGINIA.


LETTER From VIRGINIA.
Oar Brigadier- Gcacral--Gss Ecaas' Departure
and Speeck-Pseseziatson Of Var Flags By the
Ladies Of misunderstanding FHrIoaghs-
Less5prr Dgi nsss-Skirmish at Haryer's Ferry
Got Ashty's Galaatry-ceafsrrale Ners-
Tc5 HcH Shgs-Statas Of Oar Arny. &c.
OATLASD Mills. Loudour County, Va,
December -, 1861
EDITORS APPEAL: The question that has agi-
tatsd the several regiments cor osing the 9TH
brigade, as 10 who Ras te be our general, has at
last been settled by the appointment of Gen Grif
Eth, Of Mississippi, as brigadier, and Gen Hill,
ofSorthC Carolina. as major general This double
appointment leads ne to the opinion that a divi-
SION Of soma three brigades will be formed here.
News is current that several regiments are or
dered here, bat it is unreliable.
Gen. Evans took leave of his brigade on Tues
day evening last, bidding adieu in quite an affect
ing speech to each regiment. During the
speeches be presented to each regiment a most
beautiful and neat war flag, lastly gotten up by
tue ladies Of Richmond, to be presented to the 9TH
brigade as q slight testimonial of their admiration
e taeir valor and bravery. He also addressed
the sth Virginia regiment, now stationed at Gen.
f~srvlie, but formerly Of his command. The gem
eral goes to South Carolina to give his valuable
and efficient services TO his native State. He
benrs with him the love and admiration of his
soldiers here, who wish that he may long live
70 signalize himself in more glorious victories.
The greatest difficulty has heretofore existed
IN regard TO procuring Burroughs. No soldier
eSeid procure leave of absence save in case Of
sickness. This has been caused from the immi-
nerce of a fight, which might be said to exist
daily. 1 learned from a member of Congress,
just from Richmond, that after the 20th of this
month, the difficulty will be obyiated, and that
those who desire can visit home for a short time,
some twenty days l learn. The inference I
deduce from this lenivncy is that no fighting is
expected to take place here, from and after the
aforesaid date until spring. One can scarce grasp
anything permanent enough on which to pre-
dicsie an opinion as to future movements. We
know not one moment hat the next may bring
forth, aud 8. fo- the vague and indefinite umors
that pervads camp, they serve only to feed the
AlJLlCLt1tl 4cnlC y CAN4tluEtAL. NJ SAutCN
programme, save in generalties, can be marked
out, for ore move of the enemy may Illustrate
the most scientifically laid scheme. In a word
maneuvering armies and playing chess, are
Synonymous.
It seems to be the determination now to hold
LeesbuTg at all hazards. Publications are
being erected in proper places. The topography
Of Leesburg. as Surveyed by Lieut.. Duval, Of.
the Conlederase army, is found to De difficult of
fTtiiying, showing my mistake in st&dHg it as
easy, in a previous letter. However, the work
has commenced in good earnest, and in a short
time We may have the pleasure Of setting down
Lsesburg as one Of the inyulnerable places. No
movement Of the Yankees is noticeable opposite
he1e, Of a hostile character. Our pickets on the
river report all quiet. Some visiting between
o1rs and the enemy pickets occur occasionally,
which is = most delectable practice in the bum
Die opinion of your writer for I cannot see how
any southerner can reconcile it 70 his feelings Of
h5noF to hold friendly intercourse with the
villains.
A few days ago a sharp skirmsh took place at
1lCN-AA = 4NAAts RN+NENA a loAAAt4A "a WI
Ashby s regiment and some Yankees, during
which oCu men killed fifteen and took eighty
prisoners while our loss was only five. The
colonel also captured several wagon loads Of corn,
etc, with the Yankee teams. THIS is not the
first, nor the second time that Col Ashby has
given the enemy indubitsbEe evidence Of his
sallanry and prowess. He has command Of all
the militia il that vicinity, and he uses therl to
quite en advantage when occasion presents. He
had a brother killed by the Hessians in the battle
of Gethol, q ihinl) and the Yankees have
IL aned to their sonow that Col. Ashby lives to
Avesee his brotbei's martyrdom
All remains quiet at Ceuteryills at last &C
counts.
Last week cur pickets captured aful company
Of the epemv's pickets. Our men lost none
only one slightly wounded On Monday last
i've Of our piekets were captured by the enemy,
owing. however. to nrgligs0ee on their part IN
allowing themselves to be surrounded, force
Of one thousand cavalry and two companies OF
artillery Immediately proceeded to make a recon
noissance, and thoroughly secuted the woods
nearly to Alexandra, but reported no Yankees
in sight Two balloons Of the enemy were OBJ
servable this week. taking observations OF Cen
f~srville. Whether they disccveredany masked
batteries or not, is not known BY deponent
Qaite an excitement was raised on Tuesday by
a general order to strike tents and prepare
for action. Itturnea Dat, however, 10 be pre-
mature.
Two men belonging to the Louisiana Tigers
were a,ot last week by sentence of a court-mar-
sial. What their offense was l have not learned.
While it is larsentsble that so severe a punish
ment should be inflicted upon a southern soldier,
II Affords came for remark that such rigidity is
sc seldom called into requisition. In an army
SO iarge as that concentrated at Centerviile,
where the sniciest discipline is necessary, we are
struck with the fact that it all exhibits so much
order md deeoTum. While the enemy's ranks
are FLED with a disorde1ly licentious, and mu-
tiaous soidiey. ours IS entirely clear, and ex-
hibiis = body Of men intent only upon the one
great object. the winning Of their independence
Al excitement and inteTesther new, emanstes
rom the jeopardy Of Memphis, and the immi-
renee Of 8 battle At Columbus, upon the result
Of v ich 50 much Is at stake. Our trust is re-
posed il the God Of battles, and the strong arms
of liberty sons, who have buekled on the srmor
md gone forth to battle for God and a Just cause,
Oar prayer Is that victory may attend them.
s. I. W,
Mississippi Rangers, 18th Miss. Reg't.
TIE C%hsRLEsros FRE.-Fhe Mercary es-
Inmates the lass il real estate al about sS'5OO,-
600. on which was al insurance for about 81,