American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-11-16

LEEsnrnG, Va. Nov q 1861

&
Bluf.n or . Leezburg, as il is sariously
termed but it IS something Of q pet subject
with US aer and IS have Lately visited the.
Geid, shall venture word or two more.
though you sIeep ii the midst Of the nara
ton as did the weary monarch, Charles, in
listening to the storg Of his old hoffman.
Mazeppa The spot, sir has touch of
nance about il, beside that solemn calm
which always heyers ever and attends the
place where deeds Of death have been done
and where the dead sleep The numerous
visitors move silently about. speaking in sub
dued tones, gathering here and there relic.
marking the SCARED and shattered trees,
whispering laments for the '.horrors of war.
and plying the deluded victims that dared to
venture to our shore upon the errand Of sub
jugation.
Close upon the bank of the@riycr stands
PERCEPTIONS bluff, rising from the South and
gradually heightening as it runs for con-
siderable distance parallel with the bank, and
where a little old field, in the midst of the
woods, borders for sixty yards upon this
precipiee, its descent is about perpendicular,
between sixty and one hundred feet in height,
and rugged with jutting crags- Along the
brow of this bluff, and then skirting along
The Northeastern edge OF this little old clear
ing, for two hundred and fifty yards, the en-
envy formed his last line and was defeated.
Their cannon were stationed in front of this
preeipice, commanding the old field. In the
edge of the woods now lies the beautiful
horse of Cen Baker, near to the spot where
its notorious rider fell.
The enemy's dead were thrown pelI nell
into any convenient ditch and slightly cover
ed by their pitiless friends who came over to
bury them. The hogs have there gone and
rooted and torn these poor wretehes from the
ground until now it is sight that might
sicken a veterans heart to see their mangled
and half-eaten limbs scattered around.
The turbid old Potomac flows suIlenly by,
while the poor drowned Yankees come up in
numbers from its bottom and float off in per-
ifect fleets, to bear the story of their sad fate
to Washington. They have been rising very
rapidly during the last three days, aud one of
our boys, while down there an hour or two,
the day before yesterday, counted more than
forty, as they came up. Two Of our soldiers
VI
from their persons two splendid swords, one
pistol, one elegant gold watch and more than
one hundred dollars in gold. Around the
neck of one of these poor private had
clasped his arms in DEATH and in his stark,
stiff clench were they floating away.
see that in some of the Northern accounts
a loss of 100 is admitted. The whole truth
will allow not less than POGO
l neglected, in giving you description of
the field, to say that the approaches to this
bluff upon which the enemy was posted, was
exceedingly rugged perfect succession of
ravines aad steep little hills, covered with
ragged and scrubby growth of stunted TIM
Der. The old field measured about 100 ESQ
yards, and midway of it there ran hollow
across, forming something of o cup.
We see that Gen. Mcclellan was on our
side at Edwards Ferry, on Thursday, after
our fight Had we known it, don't think
this brigade would have been satisfied to
have let him cross without q fight and
swim.
We don't know what times are before US.
yet we think that hard fighting will soon be-
come the order of the day. We expect soon
to fall back from this point and let McClellan
come on to his big fight out in our country
here.
The health of our regiments fine; most of
the sick aud wounded are back at Warrenton.
The weather has been cold and frosty for
month. 1t is now drizzling cold winter
rain.
1t is thought we will go to Manassas and
be replaced by some other brigade, to hold
this point for while and let US have little
rest.
Respectfully, your friend,
ENSIS
p. S.-We hear, friend Editor, a number
of rumors, which speak of marriages about
to come off among the girls and young men
left at home. Please put your jovine veto
upon all such proceedings Among the