The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1862-09-04
Our Armn Correspondence
Correspondence Of the News
Letter from j. w. Steel, Goth Ohio.
HEADQUARTERS DETACHED BRIGADE.
FIRST CORPS. Army OF VA,
" 1890 \

Mr.. BOARDMAN :-Havlng, What Is
rather an unusual thing for me, lately,
little leisure time, I thought would
occupy it in scribbling a few items for
the NEWS which may possibly, interest
some of your readers who have rela-
tions and friends in the army of Vir-
ginia.
Our force here is situated in three
forts which we have lately constructed.
Tho main one, Fort Sigel' '--was 6uish-
cd on Tuesday, and in the evening the
interesting ceremony of raising the
American Fag--that same old hag our
fathers loved-for the first tima, over
the works, was witnessed by the whole
brigade drawn up in battle array, as
we'll as by very few loyal citizens VINO
we're permitted to he present. Verify
it'was q 'goodly sight to see that ban
uer of glory as its ample folds stream,
ed cot upon the breeze on the very spot
80 lately desecrated by the vandal tread
of Jackson and his horde of assas
sins-in sight Of WINCHESTER, where
woman. fors1king the native deIlcacy OF
her sex. fred on our footsore and weary
fneitives as they fed before their savage
nnrspers-vhere one who called herself
a LADY, cruclly shot little drum mer.hoy
who fell exhausted on her door step
and even in the view Of the gangs Of
robei guerrllas who no,o prowl nightly
around our pickets and assassinate any
poor fellow who may thoughtIessIy
stray beyond our lines. Yes, there it is
planted, and there. by the blessing of
the most High. it will continue to hoat
until not only Frederick county but the
whole of Virginia is redeemed regen. =.
erated, disenthralled' from rebel dom
ination. 1t would have done your heart
good to have viewed the scene; and
when peal after peal burst from our
guns as the National Salute was fired
and the soul stirring strains of martial
music filed the air, every patriotic heart
present bounded with enthusiasm and
prolonged cheers for the flag of our
Union made the welkn ring. d.
General White, commander of the
post, was present in full uniform, aud
the cheers with which he was greeted
by the soldiery proved the confidence
they reposed in him.
The first impression made upon any
one on seeing him is that he is man.
and by man do not merely mean
bundle Of f9sh blood, bones and brass
buttons. which too often constitutes the
whole of an officer, bat one is satisfied
at glance that be is Of that class "who
know their rights and, knowing, dare
maintain them" His administrative
capacity is remarkable. If you could
hear some Of his interviews with the
"'Secesh," you would be much amused,
while at he same time you would ad-
mire his manner of disposing of them.
Not long since rather dandi6ed, over
dressed specimen Of the Of E. VS."
came up to get pass, and demanded it
with that iusolence which is character
istie of that class, when the General
asked him ''if he had taken the oath Of
allegiance to tho United States" He
replied that "he had not and never
would, as he only owed allegiance to
Virginia Very well, returned the
General, "then you can have no ohjec
tions to assist in fortifying Virgiuia" -
and turning to a sentinel, continued,
,"guord, you will take this man up to
the Fort, give him pick.axe and see
that he works faithfully" The lily
handed gentleman looked aghast at the
proposal and falSered out that he
"would-rather-- ta.e--the- oath -
gulping down each word as if it nearly
choked him. With the ladies, too, he
has some rich "confabs." would like
to relate few that came under my own
observation, but space prevents. lie
told one of them who complained be-
cause he would not let her SO through
our pickets to the rebel camp "to get
her clothes that he did not know that
he was placed in command here for the
purpose of being particularly amiabte,
although he desired to be as much so as
circumstances permitted.
BY the way it is astonishing low ma
ny have cleft their clothes'' on the Mid
dletown, road (along which Ashby's
cavalry are stationcd.) The number of
them is only equalled by that of
those who claim to be "Methodist
preachers on collecting tour to the
East, who desire to visit their relatives
in the valley" think l have seen a
dozen of these in one day But, alasI
the Generals ramiability" will not al.
low him to give thow passes.
BY some accident, one Of our "32'