The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-09-13

From the Border-Lincoln's Minioa, and Their out
rases-COl. -4shby's Caua!ry-Remor Of Rail
ray Material DC. Sc.
SBEPEERDsTowS, VA, Sept. eth, 1861.
Since my last letter nothing of vast public
importance has transpired hereabouts, and l
merely send these few lines because i've
nothing else To do"
The Massachusetts marauders, whose out
RACES have been chronicled have left, and their
station is filled by worse bandit that were
possible. We have now to contend with a
regiment of the off-scouring of creation--lnen
of the lowest grade of character, whose only
object i'll view is rapine and plunder-a free
booting regiment of Baltimore "Plug- Uglies.
This bandit now occupies and possesses the
Northern bank OF the Potomac, and keeps
strict vigilance over the river ut tn point. The
blockade here is complete, ,e1!ectual and strictly
enforced. All communication with the
United States is now entirely cut off. II it
We're possible the g birds of the air and the
fishes of the river would not be allowed to
cross the line. 1t was not long after the ar
rival of this Baltimore crew before they
- showed their hand, - and the spirit and in
tention with watch they would wage the war
ifpermitted. Shortly after the burning of Alr.
BOtelers mills, some citizens visited the place
TO view the ruins of what was once a fine
property, and whilst there they were startled
by All unexpected yolley OF musketry dis
charged at them by the rowdies. Fortu-
nately, :! nobody hurt. This was the first
act in the drama. The next act was to
cross over about Ave miles below town,
at Mr.. Samuel knott's place, and burn
two of his boats which WAS 4 daring feat,
easily accom- plished. Not long after the
achievement of such great victory, which
only served to stimulate them and eubolden
them TO drtier tricks, some of them came
across at the same spot TO plllage but pre-
vious information WAS given TO Captain Jonn
Henderson, Of the {" Home Guard Troop,
who eeer,ted themselves To watch the adyen-
turers. When they had succeeded III gaining
the Virginia side, and were plunderlng away
To their infinite satisfaction, Henderson men
pounced upon them and captured two OF them
The rest, siX in number, = took water, and
made good their escape. -f ..e.. . s....
1t affords me pleasure TO state that weneed no
longer fear the commission of depredations
along the Jefferson county border. We now
look for, and reasonably expect, Il change III
the programme. In addition TO Capt. Hen
derson's troop, Lieut.-Col. Ashby, with con-
camped short distance from town, and is
en- the alert all the time The river
is now narrowly scrutinized and guarded
from Harper Ferry up to opposite Williams
port, and how much farther, "ueponent KNOW
eth not
The work OF removing the railroad iron,
locomotives, &c, from Martinsburg to Win
chester goes bravely on. With a horses
hitchcd to il, 4 locomotive is hauled over the
turnpike with considerable ease. The loco
motives appear out of keller and m uch injured
by being burned, yet 1t is understood that
from $500 to $500 will put them in complete
loser in the operation.
The condition Of our valiant soldiers, es-
peciaIly those from far -off States, who arc as
per consequence deprived OF home comforts
and the many little acts OF Kindness from
homo friends, is now cngrossing the atten tion
Of our generous citizens, and more espeelaliy
that portion OF creation denominated the
fairest and best. Last Sunday, in the different
places Of public worship, this subject was pre-
sentcd to their view for consideration by the
respective pastors. The condition OF those
soIdi ers from a distance--the hardships en-.
dured aud priyations gone through with, sur
fering, as It were, TO maintain tho common
canse Of all, was plainly spoken Of, and con-
rregations invoked to assist the cause by con-
fributing to the wants and comfort OF the SOL
diers They Were appealed 70 especially %
help the sick--those who had not the comforts
Of 4 hospitnl--to alleviate their distresses and
soften sleir sorrows. All OF which Is 10 be
done IN 4 practical and beneficial way, such
asdonuIng bed clothes, blankets, socks, draw.
ers, Aannci shirts, ete. Q. IE'fe.8 = ~
We'll, ths young ladies OF this place, 20
notsd Tor their beauty. refinement and Intel.
iirence. rs we'll as for their goodness Of heart
md kind treatment TO soldiers, are going TO BE-
& trtntstering ungeis'' in tfnct, and have al
ready commenced the good work becoming
sisters Of phiiap thropy, The spinning wheel
y 70 supptaat the piano, and the dsinfy M