The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-25
FROM YORKTOWN.
ESPECIAL coRRBsPoxDgScB OF rHR DISPATCH.

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The late brilliant success of our arms at
Bethel has engaged the attention of your
readers, and the probability of second en-
counter causes them doubtless to look with
aagerness for furth er tidings from the pc
ninsula. You will then admit another cor
respondent, although not of the favored
few who had part in that days engage
ment. While our comrades of other corps
are winning Iaurels In the field, we and our
neighbors OF GIouces ter Point are detained
here by the remote possibility (the hope de-
fprredl Of an attack from the enemy by water.
Six weeks have passed since left Rich
mond during which we have not been idle;
tor though debarred the invigoratIng toll and
peril of actual engagement, we have been
hard at work in the more unobtrusiVe, but no
less essential, duties of digging trenches,
mounting coluIn biads and throwing up a bat
terry now nearly completed, and already pre-
pared to bid defiance TO any force that may be
brought against us.
Those of your readers who have visited
Yorktown need not be told Of its i'm portance,
or of its natural advantages as n point of de-
fence Situated about eight miles from the
mouth of York River, at point mile III
width the hill or bluff upon which we have
erected our forLfcation seems of itself
froWnng battlement; and crowned with orr
heavy columoiads it present no very inviting
appearance 20 the blockading squadron which
may be seen from time to time lowering in the
CheSapeake beyond, almost cons family since
our arrival here. This is Of course intended
as check upon Southern commerce; but de-
a a.
| have effectually run the blockade We have
| anxiouely awaited attack, but the recent
| Federal repulses by the Aqua Greek and
| other batteries, have taught the blockadlng
fleet lesson they will not soon forget.
In addition to our battery, and an extended
| line OF redoubts surrounding our camp, nu
| meroug and strong en- trenChments have been
thrown up in rear of and on either side OF the
| town These, with the strong force of the
| various arms of the service in and near York
| town, render the place. we may safely say, al
| most impregnable But more TO be relied on
| than the strength OF our position, In It's natu-
| raj or artificial advantages, is the uncOnq uer-
| able enthusiasm of those who hold it. II he
| sis thrice armed who hath his quarrel inst,
| then may the defenders OF Yorktown securely
| meet our hirSling invaders with the calm con
| fldence OF certain victory. And here, on this
| classic ground, ha,iowed by the CLUSTERING
| memories of an earlier revolution, wa VIII
| iizht 4 second battle in the same holy cause
| Each 1aaD among feels that he is doing bat
| lie for his home. All that we have or car
| hope for, IL involved in this iss ne The home
| we fight III are the heritage oequeathed US b.
| sires who won them from invasion on many
| hard fought field. Here sleep those nool;
sras IL was on Southern soil we drew on
| first breath, and the fond rerCllect tons of on
hiidhood are all here. Those dearest 10 is il
life are eathing the same sunny air, ant
, the spirits OF our loved and lost have winge
their homeward flight through Southern
skies, while their bones are Wondering i
| Southern soil.
l. II q
| action the South is invincible. That patriot
| ISM that love of country which binds US g
| firmly together, has its first origin ~ tn
| family hearth stone, thence sends It's eddyin
| circles abroad, embracing n undivided Souti
| There are few among us who have not left
| home some kindred dear ones, for whose SAKE
| IN whose defence the hardships and perils {
war are cheerfully endured. There are eye
. | beaming on US in our dreams by night TO lgt
| US on to the victories OF the morrow. Incl
are lips awaiting US whose whispered WELDON
I will be worth more to US than the loude:
trumpet notes OF fame; and surely there
| none among us who may not look forward
! that one reward, the consciousness of dut
done.
: Since our arrival here, the health of II
I various camps has been generally good, an
0 | our troops have endured The hardships ii
D separable from a life on the tented field wit
|. the fortitude of veterans. There have bee
.. ! TWO deaths, and those in the ranks OF on
| neishbor and fellow soldiers, the lst Louis
@ ana Regiment. TEey had come from their ia
: | distant homes at their country's call, TO fgl
Il | her batties-perchanCe TO seek the bubb
y reputation at the lannon's mouth. Sad an
r untlmeiy was their tate; and as their cor
rades. in arms bore them towards their la
resting place, zone a mere boy-dead, too, {
the eve of 3etheps vlctory,l few eyes we
# undimmed, no heart untouched by the mela
, choly scene. Perhaps their loved ones
r home are waiting even yet to read OF VICTOR
in which those dear to them may hold pal
or looking eagerly to the day when they In
NJ bid them welcome home again, our indepen
=, ence and our peace restored. We, TOO, Lhrou'
r. the gloom OF the present. look Tor ward 10 IN
~ day Though we are all eager for the ira
Z. and mindful that none but the brave Geser
'e the fair yet we cannot forget the bright ey
- and dewy lips we have left behind US, who
!, approving smile we look to as our choice
- need OF praise. But l weary you and mu
- conclude In my next hope TO tell you
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