Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1861-07-04
LATEST NEWS.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

LA j ESl me- WO.,
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
CAMP WALKER, 5th Reg, S. c. V. |
Near Manassas, Va, June %, 1861. I
Dear Enquirer We arc short up
for something to write about for once.
Although everything in point of prepa-
ration is moving forward with slecplcss
energy; yet there is very manifest
lull in the storm, as if the two enemies,
now almost in 'charge bayonets' dis
tance of each other, were postponing
the deadly onset until after the 18th of
July. We do not now anticipate a
pitched battle soon for Mr.. Crittendcn,
who was reelected to the United States
Senate from Kentucky, will be prepa-
red with a batch of compromises which
will exhaust the first month of the ses-
sion. The news is dry-not even any
brilliant and adventurous individual
deeds have come to our notice since we
last wrote. And the general plans OF
our military chieftains are kept locked
up in the secrets Of their own minds.
It was indeed said yesterday, that Beau
regard had telegraphed to President
Davis to permit him to march on Alex
andria, and that Davis refused but we
did not believe it. 1t is not like Beau
regard to let his secrets leak out.
Here is an anecdote of him that il
lustrates admirably his way of keeping
counsel with himself. The other day a
man came all the way from Louisiana
to get information. He went to Beau
and asked for enlightenment.
Beauregard replied: IF l thought the
coat on my back knewmy plans, lwould
tear it off, You need not wonder, then,
if our letters possess but little military
interest.
We have one resource left, however ;
and that is speculation. While many
in camp are beginning to express the
belief that there will be no war; we are
led to retain the impression still that
there will be "short sharp and decis-
i've conflict. Gen. Beauregard has the
South-side of Washington girdled in
with a semi circle of over 10000 bayo-
nets, reaching from 5 miles in the rear
of Arlington Heights down to Mt.
Vernon. 1t is somewhat probable that
Maryland will secede, if she has not
already through her Legislature and
that she has agreed, or will agree, to
close in upon the North-side of Wash
ington. These mcnaccs to the North
ern capital, if they are made, will cause
the concentration there of all their a
vailable forces for its defence. We
hold the opinion as probable, therefore,
that there will in month or two be a
fight with some 100000 on each side,
at Or near Washington. They cannot
stand it long, however. Next Fall or
Winter will, we think, see the end of
this wicked crusade against our rights.
The Commercial Bit must restrain our
enemies, even though the spur to drive
them on be treaty in which the right.
if they wish to exercise it, of peaceable
secession, shall be guaranteed to all the
Southern States.
Our fair is only 80, so'-that is,
what we get from the commissary de-
partment. Our bacon and sugar are
both very inferior; our bread was so
until we commenced drawing flour a
few days ago. We have frequent per-
mission, however, to 90 out into the
country and make additions of mutton,
chickens, ducks, eggs, butter, butter
milk, &C., to our cuisine. Of course:
the farm-houses cannot supply the i'm,
mense demand; but they do enough tc
make our tables quite palatable. We
draw, too, occasionally, beef as succu
lent and rich as heart could wish
Withal, then, in spite of the sorry bacon
which we don't need much, and the dir
ty heavy brown sugar which, as tho
boys all say, "would spoil the best cur
of coffee ever made,' we are living vel
enough.
Good spirits and better health pre-
vail. Some regiments have suffered
severely from the measles. We have
had few cases; but every precautlor
has been taken, and it is hoped they
will not break out generally.
Col. Williams regiment is brigadec
with ours now-somc say only for the
time being, others say permanently.
Col. Gregg's regiment has fixed upor
the 10th July as their day to return
home. Their time of service expires ;
few days before. They are disgustet
with the Yankees, we learn; and say
they have tried every way to get Il fgh
in vain. The regiment will reorganizC
at home, and return. Col. Gregg it /:
thought will be made a Brigadier gen
eral.
Our scouts arc daily picking off thu
stragglers of the enemy: and this too
right in the shadow of their camp. w
are told this moment that yesterday ou
picquets killed two and captured two
while only one escaped, near Melville
Station on the road to Alexandria be
low Fairfax. One of the prisoners i
Il 'spct lamb" Of Ellsworth's Zouav'
regiment. lie says they intend to lii
still till Congress meets, and then, tt
use his own language, "wipc us out
Yours, drily.