The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1861-11-22
From centreviIIe.
CAMr OF THE 3D TENNESSEE voLUSrEERs,
Near Ccntrevillc, Va, Nov, g, 1861.


CAMP OF THE 3D TEsSEssse voLuxTEsRs,
Near Ccntrcvillc, Va, Nov. g, 1851.
| In tho absence of the enemy we have for sew
cral days past been subjected to much inconvcn-
icncc from tho inclemcncy of the wcathcr--bcing
the worst time by FAR that We have experienced
since VIC arrived in Virginia. II is not possible
for those "rapt in all the comforts and endcar-
mcntS" that environ home, to conceive what
storm in camps aniauats IT, Tents are blown
down-you, as a matter oi c5G1..c, gy'i ,ranchca-
fires so out-thc culinary department proves an
utter failure, and one is lucky il he can procure
any thing to keep soul and body together.
We were on picket three miles Southeast of
Ccntrcvilc during the whole of this tornado, with
nothing to take shelter in but a small dilapidatcd
school-housc, which has long since been deserted
by the sdrans. and occasional picket groups are
now its only tenants. While here we saw as many
dozen ky.rockots ascend from the direction
of Washington, which ut the time VIC supposed to
be the signal Of attack. The nearest outposts of
the enemy arc at Anandalc, and these appear dis
posed to act only on the defensive. They fell
back to this little town shortly after the Lccsburg
fight and have not since cvinced any desire 20 BIO
in closer contact with the rebels. Tho prospect of
q 6ght at this point is very small notwithstanding
the sensation articles that II great battle is at
hand, The inactivity of our army is an enigma
that none save those in command can penetrate.
The Generals on both sides Of tho Potomac seem
to be vcritablc admirers Of tho old Roman Cuncta-
tor, whose only success is said to have boon in
his delay of operations. 1t would appear from
,,,J tp la, Ia
act only on the defensive, unless he should attempt
to dislodgc us from our batteries on the Po.omc.
If he should attempt this it is likely that it will
bring ON II general engagement. This they will
have to do before the LIST of December if it be
their object to effect it before Spring, as the roads
will long before December be impossible for heavy
artillery.
The weather in this latitude is growing very
cold, and us yet no preparations arc being made
for Winter quarters. No soldier. can pass the
winterhcrc in a tent Gladly ought the hazard
of contest be risked rather than await the dis,
ease and mortality which can but attend the army
in such unprcpared and inhospitable Winter quar-
tiers around Ccntrcve. Such n battle must be
dreadful in its carnage and critical in its result,
and yet it is preferable to cxpending patriotic
lives without any seeming good. d; -. .-i ..-s
Maj. Gen. Z. Kirby Smith has recently been
assigned to the command of newly created Di-
vision in the Army of the Potomac, composed of
the Brigades of Brigader Generals Crittendcn,
Taylor and Ely. Gen. Elzey's Brigade was in
Smiths Division in the Army Of the Shenandoah,
aud was CALAMITY led by him into the battle of
Monassas, when he was wounded, from the effects
| of which he has but lately recovered.
| Cen. Smith is a Floriiian, and but short time
| ago had the department over which Gen. Bragg
| presided extended to him. of which, from causes
unknown he did not take command. 1t is not
| beyond speculation that his division may yet be
sent South to defend some point on the seaboard,
when tits considered that one Brigade is from the
extreme South, and that it will not be policy to
maintain large army inactive here on the Poto-
mac during the rigors of the Winter.
| There was much excitement at Manassas last
night in consequence Of an order received from
Winchester for 1000 troops Cars were being un-
loaded all night to ufford transportation for Gen.
Jackson's Brigade. He hes been assigned to the
command of the Valley.
Late this evening an order came to be ready ia
march at minutes warning. and to send off all
extra baggage, but this is very frequent order
| it does not excite much interest.
NoS DE PLUME.
Sunday, Nov. 1O.-Long before day this morn
ing the two Virginia Regiments of this Brigade
were astir and preparing, as is supposed, for {
brush with the Yankees. At day-break the,
marched through our encampment, cheering loud
ly.possiby not imagining that the Yankees woul'
make their demise before they could come upoi
them. No one knows where they going. Tn
whole affair is mystery and cannot yet be solved
They took up their line of march in the direction
| nf The Court Hnusn-