Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-04
ALPIIONZO.
CAMP JONES, (near Nunassas,)

Aug. "a, 1851.
MR. EDITOR: One of the most lovely days of the
season has just closed and indeed 1t has been
busy day in tine camp-every, man able to DO duty,
has been at work-some with axes, some with
spades and picks, others piling and burning brush;
and such has been the sudden change produced in
things generally, that person having left in the
morning and returned in the evening, would scarce
ly know the place.
Lieut. Col. Lightfoot and Maj. Webb have been on
foot all day, giving directions and experimenting
the work-and | can assure you they put things
through as business men. Important suggestions
were made by Dr. P. y. Holt, Surgeon OF the reg
iment, on his arrival IN camp, and entering on the
discharge of his duties, all of which were immed-
ately carried out. The hospital tents were all re-
moved, and located III quiet, retired part of the
camp. Fresh straw was procured in abundance
Clean new blankets dealt out to The sick, and every
facility brought to bear to render them comfortable
l was delighted to the activity in that depart
ment, and the visible change in the countenances
of our sick boys, as new hope inspired their brows
and fresh animation kindled in every countenance
DIR. Holt is an institution in himself and can
congratulate the regiment and the State in being
so fortunate in securing his valuable services
Every thing necessary in his department is abun-
dainty supplied, and every want of the sick man
fully anticipated, from the wounded soldier on the
field, to the measles. One word about the measles.
| had thought, matter of course, every grown
man had had the measles when boy, but in this
have made great mistake, moi, one in twenty in
this regiment have. would suggest that mothers
attend to this matter and that their children in
due time and at period when they can be attended
to at home pass through the measles. whooping-
cough, and mumps. / know Of one woman who
sends off her children at the proper age to catch
these diseases. Our sick are rapidly recovering,
and anticipate in another week sick list will
be short
The camp at night, while am writing, has more
the appearance of a camp meeting than any thirg
else. Every thing is marked by the most perfect
order and quietness, save the sweet songs of Zion
that break the stiffness of the night, and swell off
notes of praise to the "Most High" from scores of
tents and hundreds of voices-no swearing, no in
toxicaton, no rudeness of any kind. Well may N.
c. he proud of the 9th regiment The material of
which it is composed is from the best families the
country affords, and embraces the flower of our
youth-who, Graded in the lap of piety and trained
to what is honorable and right, have carried into
the camp those heightened principles that every
where, and under all circumstances, exhibit the
true characteristics of the patriot together with
that of the gentleman. Their patience and forti-
tude under the most intense suffering, from fatigue
and want of food-ther heroic daring on the bloody
field of Manassas-their unmurmuring submission
under the hand of disease, all reflect the highest
nOnOT Ot Otdte Iucy IcPIeSeUI, anu entlte Lnem
to the lasting gratitude of North Carolina. More
anon. j. A. Mem.
SMIrHvlLLE, N c., Aug. 26, '6l.
Before giving line of " communication" l must
ask your compositors to be little more particular
with their FPS and q.'s." Very frequently word
more than you find in the manuscript is set up, or
one omitted, rendering the communication not only
'botch," but ridiculous. In my letter of the
l6th stated that the Blockade had again made its
appearance. The truth seems to oe that it was one
Of cur privateers. The Blockade am informed by
Col. lverson, has not been SEEM land you can see
twenty miles off Bare-head Light house,) since the
chase it gave the little cracker about month
ago. The Colonel thinks when it comes again, it
will come prepared to make an attack on some of
the Notifications. The people are hard at work
getting in readiness, for should such attack be
made; they know it will be no child's play. I was
over at Fort Caswell yesterday. What saw and
heard there, possibly might be interesting, but
would feel confident be improper to put into the
columns of anewspaper: deem it proper enough
to say, that every thing is moving like clock work,
| and the "mountin" really looks frightful. Major
Toon has been in command at Caswell until yester-
day, when Lieut. Col Fason arrived The Col.
can pronounce from an intimate acquaintance, a
gentleman and soldier IN every respect Col liver
son, who is in command at johnson, is too we'll
known oy reputation as every thlng characteristic
Of the good patriot" to need comment For fear
that some Of the readers of the Standard might not
be acquainted with the geography of this place Ut
they didn't, to read my communication from this s
place, would be like chicken reading music,) l
will tell them that SmithVe is thirty miles from
Wilmington, situated directly at the mouth OF the
Cape Fear River 1t is here Fort johnson rs
Just across the channel lies Fort Casweil, about
two miles from johnson As have already stated
there is no fort at Smithvile, though called Fort
johnson. The place is rendezvous for the sol.
diers kept in reserve for Caswell There are nine
hundred men at Caswel and Johnson suppose
the whole of the tenth Regiment