American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-07-13
Correspondence Of the citizen.
MANASSAS JUNCTION, Va, /
july 4th. 1861. Z

/
Another birth day of our country has re
: turned-a day that should be dear alike TO a
Of us-around it clusters the gem and clio
ries OF the American history. The gIoriou
king Of day shines forth as bright as fh
"sun of Austerlitz," but its beams are reaec
ted upon broken Confederacy.
Twelve month since, we were united an,
happy and gloried in a common nationality
now we are rent and torn, and seek another da,
10 mark our second independence We shout,
be slow to surrender our claim and interes
in the 4th, having contributed so much bloc.
and treasure TO sustain the '.DecIaration.
In our camp it passes unheeded, unnoticed
| s'none so poor as to do it reverence Man,
of us had hoped that July's sun would kis.
the folds of Confederate flags waving from
4 the White House and Federal Capital. but e
far we have hoped in vain. 1t is not lkeiy
that blow will be struck until Lincoln
4 Congress takes some action, there are but
4 few of US that anticipate anything favorable
/ from that source. We all feel that we will
have to fight and that very soon. Camp life
is becoming somewhat irksoime, fight would
greatly revive US.
We are encamped three miles from the
Junction on the Alexandria and Orange R.R,
in the middle of an old field thickly covered
with stones, which make orr parade ground
anything but pleasant. Our regiment enjoys
very good health, we have not lost man,
and we number over a thousand rank and
file
1t would amuse you to visit our Camp and
witness the various devices resorted to for
killing time. Pitching dollars constitute the
Card playing is not much in vogue, now and
then you may few engaged in a game
of draw. ! am happy to inform you that the
temperance cause is fourishing there has not
been a case of drunkenness since we camp
ed here, and for the very best reason, one
bug any tquor of any kind.
Occasionally we have ''ist fight" just to
vary the duh monotony; "extra duty" results
as necessary consequence.
We were all anxious to be sent to Virginia,
we were told of the fine fair, fish, fowls, &C.,
that awaited US. am sorry to say that we
hav'nt any thing of them. We cannot
procure any thing here for love or money
and mess of vegetables is an unheard of
luxury.
We are camped in the mountainous part of
Prince William. This portion of the county
and part of Fairfax. was originally settled
by a Yankee colony, under the leadership of
Theirs. They all small planters, several
have left, and the others have disposed Of
every thing saleable to the numerous troops
that have proceeded US. We are upon the
spot made famous by Bacon's rebellion. St
George Tucker lays the scene of his fine novel
'fIansford," here.
have made two excursions into the coun-
try. Farmers are engaged in harvesting their
wheat which is very good The land is very
rocky, so much so that il is matter of sur
prise that it can be plowed at all. Corn is
about knee high and looks well-we were
infoEssacd that it produces about forty bush
els to the Our bump of credulity is
very large, but we found it difficult to believe
that such land could produce one fourth that
The country resembles the poorer
part of Rankin and Scott, the growth being
similar except that this has cedar in profa-
sion.
had the pleasure of taking an old fash
toned Virginia breakfast this morning, with |
q very clever family living near here. 1t was
decidedly treat to take seat at a table
presided over by lady, surrounded by
blooming children, to say nothing of lovely |
who wildly reminded us of some
we left behind. 1t is quite refreshing to get
ont into the country, away from woodsn men
ana canvass walls, and were it not for the |
danger extending such rambles it would
hardly be possible TO keep us inside the guard
lines.
] must not omit stating that we were well !
coined with open arns throughout Virginia,
the least said about our reception IN East
Tennessee the better. l have seen but two
regiments of Virginia troops, the 'Albemarle'
md 4Lynchbarg', in precision of drill AID
appearance they are secead to meme.
We constitute one of the regiments OF teae
I'd Brigade, of the Army of the Potomac,
by Beauregard. Oars rs the
crack regt of a crack brigade-the 18th
md 18th Miss. Vols, the 9Th and 9TH s. Z.
Tols., Washington Artillery from n o., and
! squadron of Virginia Cavalry compose the
brigade, ali under the command of Brig
1en Jones, of S. G.
The weather is quite cool, it requires two
n three blankets to render US comfortable
Turing the night.
We know but little about the movements
# our army and it would not be advisable to
peak of what we do know. thousand ru-
nors pervade our camp each day, il is inn
ossible to gain correct information about
nything l am compelled to conclude-Ni2l
ry and write you again soon-
Your friend,
sRED OAK
e, I.......-.- o., mr. .nr o. ID