The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-29

CAMP Z. K. SMITH,


CAMP z. K. SMITH, !
! Cenireville, Nov. 25th.
IN my last letter, the name OF onr Colonel
| Q6th AIabarna Regiment was enormously
| printed Couty, instead of James Cantey.
| AS regards military affairs in this quarter,
we still occupy that position OF glorious mae
| tvity and uncertainty peculiarly harassing
Vague rumors of contemplated attacks daily
| reach US, and excite only the scOrnful jeers OF
our troops We are buoyant self confident
| proud, and exultant in our strength, our
| commanoers, our position, and the business
! of our cause.
II was much given to theorizing, or even
| inducing in inpFOba bilities, | would saw
! that column Of ! 600 Yankees plan ted in
| front of our Centreville batteries backed by
their present com pliment OF men, would re-
oeive, in few hours fight, one OF the worst
| furnishings ct orr hands ever awarded hat
| enterprising race. But we look for said Yam
| KEGS in vain. The glory of Israel has de-
| parted. Northern courage has been weig hed
| in the balance and found wanting. Centre
| ellie wiH BE- attacked IN tr0nt this aoiater If
George b. Mcclellan POSSESSES the military acneness
| accorded him By mas admit ers. His Leesburg
| movement was doubtless 4 sad miscarriage.
| His more recent attempt on the Potomac may
| be equally significant. Our wings are well
| protected. He has found this so to his cha
| grin. IL not sorrow. What can he do p
oaded on by the ultra Northern press;
| Jeered and scoffsd at by his former PROGRESSED
! friends for his present inactivity; burdening
| the Government daily with heavy war tax,
ne is either compelled 10 hazard battle or
| forfeit his reputation.
Why have we vainIy awaited his COM
| ing more than a month ? Why has ne refused
] every guage of battle thrust in his very
| teeth by our commanders? There is only
| one of two solutions to the problem; he Ia
| either net ready, or he Is coward, and we
| are inclined very strongly to the latter
| opinion.
| But probably he Is waiting to "freeze OUT
| the Southerners. ! cannot voGch for the
| balauce; but when the keenest blasts Of q
| Northern winter whistle through the Ia ttered
| rags OF the 18th Alabama regiment it will
| find them Still firmly at their posts, with
| their guns grasped tightly and their cartridge
belts buckled around them.
Such men cannot be conquered. They may
be crushed, Az INITIATED, swept from the face
OF the earth but conqueres-never, II we
are defea ted in this con test, which Is most
improbable suggestion, future history can
point to DO moro noble exam pie of q nation
being biotted ont from existenss In defence OF
their rights, or brighter republican star
sinking beneath the gloom Of On overshadow-
Ing espOtism.
There have been large nSmber OF our rnen
on the sick list at usymarket for some time
PAST, but they have been either reported for
duty or removed elsewhere. Ihave been In
f.rnned by Lieut.. w. II Strickland, who had
charge of them for some time. that all praise
IL dee to the ladies Of Haymarket for uure-
hitting kindness and attentions to the sick,
night and day, daring their stay in that plaos.
How beautiful and holy how like our real
isation OF angel dreams. are these Gelica te
ministratfons Of the ladies' Tia Ail-seeing
Eye who judges our actions will bless them
futHre generations will blese them and the
soldiers will dou bly, honor and bless them.
All !. quiet here At present; We have a
Yankee squadrons will fare but badly II we
may judge from the proficiency attained In
she'll ng. a. MR..