American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-05-16
Correspondence OF the Citizen.
CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN. VA,


these parts transpired, miles" would LET
vou hear from him again. As many things
hare transpred since last wrote which can
not but elicit interest, truth enjoins upon me
again to take my pen to indite a thought OF
two When last | addressed you, Leesburg
vas my place of sojourn-a place made favor
ably historic from the memorable victory
there achieved by the sons of Mississippi -
nop, near Yorktown is my position---a spot
dear to every lover of liberty, for here the
destiny of a republic was determined-here
our independence 1cdS consummated and
nnrple-cad tyrant baffled and Inundated.
i Then we were in sight of the enemy's camp
fires and in hearing of his drums and his
d stern cannonading; noc, also, the same scenes
break upon our vision--the same sounds
salute the soldiers ear. No sooner had we
fallen hack from our battle-line on the Poto.
mac than the enemy, astounded and sore per-
plexed-chagrined at this discontinue OF his
mans, and afraid 10 follow in our wake,
abandoned the central route to Richmond,
and threw his heavy armament around upon
this Peninsula, endeavoring 10 effect an en-
trance into Richmond by stealth and strata
gem. Comparatively a few troops he left
behind, and these rather as an army OF de-
Tense than invasion. But fully cognizant ct
his movements and intentions, Gen. Johnston
has made his action conform to the enemy's.
What was the notwithstanding surprise Of the
Federalists when, with streaming banners
and martial music, they left Fortress Monroe
On route for Richmond, after advancing TWEEN
,v-four miles, to find a rampant of fire imped-
ing their onward march-to find the same
army which had disgraced their arms at Bull
Run. Manassas and Leesburg, again confront
ing them in battle array, and from the mouth
of the cannon declaring, thus far shalt thou
come, and no further !" to find another Cen
-reriLEe on this Peninsula between themselves
and Richmond The number of our men
computed to be there the amount of artil-
lery pieces their capacity aud situation; the
nature of our bresstwoTks, redoubts, en-
trenchments and rife-pits; the military
movements daily taking place; the Generals
present, &C, I viii, for the present, write
nothing about, as our Generals, as well as
nv own sense of propriety, enjoin upon me
studied silence as to those matters, which, If
known to the enemy, might prove highly ben
efcial 10 him. But of one thing rest assured
we have an army here sufficiently powerful
10 bid defiance TO any army Gen. Mcclellan
NAV bring against US, and an army, too, not
made up of Jove's cOunterfeits, but of genu-
inc "sons of thunder" If we defeat the
enemy. it will be the great defeat of the war
for his army must be annihHated. With York
river on one side and the James on the
other. with Forress Monroe twenty-four
miles distant and a powerful army thunder
ing a. his heels. shrely the vision of the arm
les. hand and bur ming syllabies shall be his ;
the time shall have passed for him Z" TO work
on, his salvation with fear and trembling"
But although our army at this point is large,
there is no lack of troops north of Richmond.
for we have soldiery sufficient near the Rap
,pahannock and Rapidan rivers, and even
farther up, to ensuF re the safety of Richmond
as TO invasion from that quarter. Daily, if
not hourly, we are anticipating great battle.
Everything justi6es US in this belief. All our
leading men look for it. And here let me
state. that our soldiers are keen for conflict; ;
they are so, not that they delight in bloody
contention, but because, knowing that bat
tie is inevitable, they are anxious to get 1t OIL
their hands The enemy is close at hand
his pickets only a few hundred yards off
Since our arrival herie we have seen entire
regiment of Federaltsts in the distance. AT
nirht we hear their instrumental music and
the sound of their falling axes, (unmas king
their batteries, hhps,) while, during the
day, booming cannon sounds upon the ear
There has been moie or less picket firing,
sometimes attended With serious loss of life.
A number of deserterk have come over to US.
They'report Major Gfneral Mcclellan TO De
present with his ARMY on this peninsula; a
great restitution of col mmissary stores owing
10 the vigilance of thA Merrimac near Hamp-
ton Roads, the prevailing sentiment through
out their ranks that dhey can subjugate us,
aud that the poscer and paEor of the North