American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-12-28
CAMP, NEAR LEEsBURG. Va. I
Dsceaa5er 10, 1861 !
Editor Citizen:

Dear Sir--Being opposed to a
monopoly of Your attention being made by
your correspondents Ensisp and 4" Miles,
please allow me very modestly to introduce
the undersigned-George Washington Bricks.
The house of Bricks, you remem Der, was a
VIGOROUSLY Tory family, in the days of the
old Revolution, and my immediate paternal
ancestor latter whom was named and chris
tened, when, in later days, it had become the
policy and interest of the home circle to be
very patriotic and intensely Whig), being
rather a crooked and unpromising specimen
at the time of his first appearance in the dra-
ma of this distinguished family, was adorned
with this humble title by his unnatural pa
rents, more in derision of his unpromising
appearance, than from any feeling akin to
that which prompts the ladies now to char
acterize their :: fine boys" with the terms
- Beauregard," jeff Davis" &C
/ Ny sire's name, however, turned out rather
better than was expected at the time of bis
baptism, and so, in fact, did he; and it was
with somewhat of exultation and triumph
that he gave his first hopeful soa-your obe
dent servant-the patronymie, g. Washing
I ton.
Bricks, however, doesn't intend to weary
you with chronology and pedigree, but begs
to refer you, if you feel great interest in the
antecedents of your correspondent, to the
books of English beraldry, wherein viii be
found full accounts of sable, guEss argent and
blanc, composing the coat of arms of that old
Brick, our progenitor, who fourished soon
after the Norman conquest and who wore
upon his crest a small block of solid gold in
the shape of a modern brick. | have no rel
atives living, unless, from the last named fact,
can claim as q kinsmen true" that entire
class of distinguished youBg gentlemen of the
present day who are frequently mentioned in
the public prints as wearing "a brick in their
bats There are but few of these to be found
in our camp, but you must say yourself
whether it is not attributable to the efficient
blockade" kept mp at the guard lines against
all qualities of shoskaney," rather than to
any great moral rectitude or permanent re-
form for Bricks is satisfied that none of his
able-bodied kin would stay at home while
national affairs stand as they do and Lincoln
continues to send such long and erudite mes
sages of graduation and confidence to that
horde of petty tyrants gathered at Washing
ton, merely to be the base automaton of his
vile designs, to sanction his fats of usurpa-
ton, and in every particular to bow in slav-
ish submission to his Olympian will. No,
Sir female influence Of whatever character
is unable to keep one of the spirited Bricks
at home.
The news, which is now proposed to be
detailed in brief possesses striking fea-
lures of excitement or interest, fighting at
this point having, at last, ceased to be the
order of the day, much to the satisfaction of
e. W B. Yet it has not been forgotten that
= eternal vigilance is the price of liberty"
aud watchful system of videtts and pickets
is kept up. An occasional deserter comes
over and details his humble notions of COM
ing events, but Bricks don't believe great
deal more than he ought to of such narratives,
for, having been high and honorable private
for long time, he has learned by experience
that this class OF functionaries, however wise
they may feel, don't know much as to ere
ate surprise that one small head should
hold it all"
A Yankee from the 2lst Miss. Regt. went
over she other day and told so interesting a
story that Gent Stone forthwith made it the
subject of a special dispatch to the Federal
COMMANDMENTS Chief. But Bricks can't think
that Mcclellan viii base any change liz the
movements of his vast army upon so small an
individual as that must be who, being
in the South, could devise no more honorable
way of getting back into congenial climate
than that of desertion from the army. De-
serters sometimes come over to US, but Bricks
don't allow himself to be thrown into bad
state of excitement by the reports of men
who he is satisfied have never been admitted
to the intimate confidence and secret council
chambers of the great Federal Belzebubs and
Molochs.
Yesterday was an important era in the
history of the 18th Brigade. There a
grand and imposing review, when the troops,
drawn up in close column, listened to the
farewell words of Gen. Evans. He expressed
great feeling at parting with his comrades !;
assured them of the honor and pride which
he felt in them commander of g the most
distinguished Brigade in the Army of the
Potomac and delivered to each of the Colo
nels of the 18th, nth and 18th Miss. Regis a
farewell order TO be read at the dress parade
of their commands In spirited speech he
then delivered battle flag to each regiment,
and, with enthusiasm, told them of his conf
dence that Mississilpians would always bear
it untarnished and with honor. The four
Colonels received the flags from Gen. Evans,
babe him farewell in short and appropriate
addresses, and bore them to their respective
regiments, into whose hands they eloquently
commended their safe keeping. Here the
soldiers cheered until even Bricks felt chiv-
alrous, and tears of generous heroism stood
in the eyes of many brave fellow At that
moment, as for the first time the beautiful
Southern Cross fioated above their heads and
unfurled its silken folds, with glittering stars,
upon the soft air of that bright day. VOWS eff
manly devotion and support went up warm
from . thousand consecrated hear,s-hearts
-.s1. ..rn nd L.