American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-07-18
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE "CITIzES."
CAMP LEE, NEAR RICHMOND. VA.
TT-ry . IS62

the writer before the Madison Light Artiile-
~ babe adieu to home and friends, to furnish
the " Citizen with an occasional letter, has
been entirely forgotten; but in that you are
mistaken; he purpose has been kept in view
only waiting for fitting and convenient time
And l feel well assured, the Madison Light
Artillery have many friends in Madison and
Leake, who will always be glad to hear news
of US, particularly if it be good nslrs, although
our company has no substantial evidences of
their regard vide the Members of the Board
of Police of Madison county, who, l learn
from Capt. Ward, although applied to, re-
fused to appropriate one dollar to equip or
aid our company, notwithstanding such aid
to the amount of $500 to $1,000, each. had
been given to every other Company that had
left the county. Yet I am sure the Uonora-
BILE Board did not reflect the feelings Of the
people Of our county, for no company has
more cordial well-wishers and friends than
ours. OF our treatment at the hands of the
Board of Police we do not complain, although
we asked only what we were entitled to
claim.
We arrived at Petersburg, Va, May 25th,
where we remained in camp until June IIth
when we left for this place in obedience TO
orders.
Since our arrival here in this camp Of in
struction, we have been actively drilling AZ
the guns, and have thus far progressed very
finely, receiving the commendations of our
Jrill O,- I, n.
made for US at Columbus, Ga, are very fine
ones, the battery consisting at present of two
l2-pr. howitzers and two 6-pr. guns, ali brass
pieces. They will be delivered to US in two
or three days, and the battery will be in
creased to six pieces after We go into active
service.
Since the great battle of Richmond-which
has been but successive series of battles
our company has been detailed on duty TO
guard the captured Yankees atzthe Confed-
crate prisons. The number of prisoners Is
very large, and the duty is very fatiguiug,
but our boys perform it most cheerfuily,
willing to do anything for the cause.
The excitement and anxiety felt for the fate
any demonstrations of JOY and gratitude
which all must feel at the brilliant successes
of our brave and If vincibIe army, while many
faces are sad, and many he4rts-ah how
many hearts ARE sorrowing over the loss
of fathers, husbands, brothers, sons-the
noble and the brave who have fallen martyrs
to Liberty.
Never in the history OF the world was more
bravery and heroism displayed, than by our
troops on the several fields of conflict around
this city within the last FIVE days. Regard
less of the storm of iron hail that swept their
ranks, moving down scores at each discharge,
utterly reckless of life, our volunteers have
charged and taken batteries and stormed
breastworks, supported, in many cases, by
thrice their own numbers. Some of the pris-
oners, when brought in, remarked TO Lieut.
Ried, who was officer of the day, that there
never were such soldiers as ours-they Ieoula
charge a battery 1eith nothing but a canteen and
a harersacki
will not attempt to give you any account
of the battles, and all the news you will have
heard long before this reaches you.
l saw Lieut Cassell yesterday evening.
He was wounded very slightly in the heel
while lying down. He is doing well, and
will DE about in few days. The 18th Regis,
in which our county is most interested, did
not get into the fight until late yesterday
evening. Our anxiety to hear from them is
very great. A painful rumor has ast reached
Us that Capt. Henry was mortally wounded
and left on the field; Col. Griffin wounded in
the shoulder; Luke Smith killed dead.* A
son of DR.. Stewart is badly wounded in the
arm, and will probably lose it. You will
have heard of the casualties before this reach
es you. A member of our company,t unable
to repress his desire to be in the fight, went
out without leave, and, joining Dudley's COM
pany, was in portion of the fight, and es-
capped unhurt. Capt. Ward applied to the
Colonel commanding this post for leave to go
to the battlefield with some of his men, but
it was refused him. The Government had
other uses for rs here.
The Yankees have fought with great brave
~, and although forced back at all points,