Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-30

ising.
1t is pleasant to indulge in a little recreation from
the combining duties Of Editorial life, and sally forth
into the world, especially in these stirring times, to
see something for oneself, of the stupendous defences
and ornaments prepared for the protection of the
South against the invasion threatened by our guam
dam brethren of the north. But when done at the
expense Of body-quivering, head-splitting, bone
aching, fever-burning agues, it renders the luxury
rather expensive to be INDUCED in often. A least
such is our experience. and opinion. We had a very
pleasant trip among relatives and friends in Eastern
Virginia, and amid the camps, entertainments and
fortifcations Of our soldiers in that region: but the
a~tsrpiece, as the theatricsls say, an attack of Virgin
Ia chills, not only cut US out of q long cherished visit
TO the campo Of the I'd and Sd regiments of our Vol
unteers, but sent us home a fit subject for the Doctors
to operate upon. Thanks, however to a kind Provi-
dsnce and DR.. McKee's calomel and bell-ringing oui-
nine, We are rectus In curia again, and we shake our
lists in defiance at the conquered invader of our body
corporate. He has our full permission, however, to
seize on every mothers son ola yankee he catches ON
Virginia soil, and hope he will shake him into fits.
Daring cur trip. We saw enough to satisfy us, that
an attack on Norfolk or Portsmouth, whether by land
or water, will prove q disastrous business to whoever
undertakes it. And a. the enemy so nearly adjacent
SSA5 49, N4ANAAbN WALA
this state Of defence, We have no idea any demonstra-
tration will be made there. 1t is thought by soms,
however, that they have an idea of endeavoring to Of
feet Q landing on the south side of James river, by
sending an army from Newpor News across to
Sleepy Hole, or some other not strongly guarded point
In Isle Of Wight or Nanssmond counties, and then
march upon Portsmouth and Gosport Navy Yard
To reach this or any other point, they will have to
pass several Of our strongest batteries, which they
willhnd a very hazardous undertaking.. But even il
they were possibly able to reach the outside walls of
the Navy Yard, it would be impossible, in our judg-
ment, to effect an entrance, SO strongly, we may say
impregnably is the place fortified, before the hun
drsds of ri1ed cannon pointing inland would demol-
tsh a hundred thousand. Though, it is said, General
Huger anticipated lnot fears an attack from some di.
~rection.
By the way, speaking Of Gen. Huger, we had the
pleasure of seeing this war-uorn veteran inspect the
Battalion drill Of the 10th Virginia regiment. He is a
plain, unpretendiAg, amiablelcoking old gentleman,
. but active and vigorous as a hale man of fifty. There
is no fuss and feathers about him-indeed from his
dress yon would not suspect him of having ever set
squadron in the neld." But the soldier speaks out in
his manly, erect form, and his entire bearing is that OF
the calm, composed, dignined Commander, while his
quick, piercing eye shows him capable of sweeping
the field and telling at a glance the points of advan.
tage lost or won. We would like to see him and old
Wool meet, with SO, coo mcn on a side. His headquar
tiers are in the Custom House at Norfolk, where
Court-martial was in session when we were there. 1t
Col. Cantwell, of the I'd n. c. Regiment was a mem.
Der Of the Court, and was so much engaged there
that we had not an opportunity of seeing him.
1t was rumored, that the 2nd N. C. Regiment wa
to be removed from their present pleasant place Of en-
campmeRt two miles below Norfolk, and sent to som
of the fortincations up the river. Whether the rumo
was correct or not, we did not ascertain.
Among the many pleasant places we visited, Their
was none with which We were more pleased than Crs
ney Island. 1t 10 about six miles above Norfolk an
sits out In the middle of the river, afording a full an
beautiful view Of the City. 1t covers an area Of som
eight or ten acres, we should judge, and will max
when the piping times of peace shall return to us.
most delightful summer resort-aad we have lit
doubt 1t will be fitted up for such q purpose. TT
amount OF work done on Craney Island since Apl
last, is astonishing. We met up with an old frie1
there and every body else's friend who is worthy
having a friend, and to whom every body else is
friend, for who ever heard any body say any thing ell
but a word Of kindness and friendship for James
Biggs-who told US he had been there from the nr
assisted in all the works of defence, had never be
sick q day, or slept of the LAland a night in the VIII,
time. He says he has slept all night in the open
there many might. with no covering but his blanl
and the sky, and q brick for a pillow, and never to
even q cold. The entertainments are very thick .
level, forming s magnificent promenade, with the ss
beautifully turfed and the grass growing luxuriant
The magazines are deep, strong and well protec
from explosion; and the gums, how many we do
recsllect, hut many, are of the very best, and some
the long TOMS, rifsd, it 10 believed almost capable
reaching Fortress Monroe, some five or six miles
.nt tant. Woe be to the luckless Lincoln craft that
mi to pass this point. Old Point, the Colleg,
Hampton @he only building remaining there and
tents and ships Of the Yankees at Newport News,
all visible from this Island. Col. Smith, Of the
ginia Military Institute, is in command there.
did not ascertain the number of Companies on the
land, but we believe one-and-a-half or two regime,
While we were at Craney Island, a steamer bear
dag of truce, stopped of shore and was comm,
Gated with by the Confederate Steamer VIM. Seli
She came to deliver some Southern ladses who
been permitted to return to their homes in the sol
and who accordingly disembarked from the Yam