Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-02-12

uoWn TO Edenton to guard some uaL IT @
m =" nat Oere sent doDn there bu re
men about the middle of December or ) III
tie before, we came to Newbsrn. and arr NON
III our beautiful camp, on Treat River one
mile and a half south of town. OF cos,rsa
our expenses have been but a mere nittanes
comparatively, with the service We have ren.
uereo 70 our country. But it may not belonp
10 me 10 inquire into the proceedings Of the
Mlltafy Authorities at Richmond, Raleigh
OF IN amy 1t is no part of the soldiers busi.
ness 70 ASK the why's and wherefores. but sim.
ply aold himself in readiness to execute anv
COMMAND that may be given.
ZONE out Tomorrow, and if the weather
= favorable you will see us drilling on horse
oack. tvs a very pretty sight to see even
SIX hundred w~elL-monnted horses on the field
at one dne. But if you should see any of
us immersed, try and restrain your risibil-
tues, Tor our horses and men are equally YER
dant in the cause.
l had almost forgotten: before you leave,
ses me take you out to this neat framed cab.
IN and introduce you to Col. Spruill. then
we Will go q little further down and call on
MAJ "oodhn and his lady, in their pleasant
quarters, and afterwards we will see Capt.
inomas and lady. You know he fell in
rove, and married while at Edenton. Some
osaef Time will introduce you to some of
our other dignitaries.
doubtless, you have heard that Newbern
mas oeen, or would be taken soon, by the
yankees; but / fully believe this rutnor to
be false. Various dispatches have reached
US that a fleet of yankee vessels were in AL
bemarle Sound-that they were coming an
Neuse Rlver-thatthey were landing. &c. &c.
Only a few nights since, eur camp was
alarmed by the shrill blast of the bugle, and
the jingle and clink of arms were heard in
every direction, as the men fastened to fall
INTO ranks. Maj. Woodfn on his gallant y
black, gailoped around and through the camp.
giving, orders in a military manner, very
much resembling the Illus.rious Washington.
or Napoleon, the son of Mars. Col. Spruill
stepped about with juvenile dexte,ity, and
chewed his tobacco, if anything, a trifle fas-
ter than usual. The intelligence had arrived
that the yankees were landing a few miles
below town. Orders were issued for us to
prepare three days rations. Guns and pis-
tolls Were loaded, and the men ordered to
hold themselves In readiness to march. All,
except those who were taken suddenEg III,
were anxious to get into a contest with the
enemy. However, by morning the excite.
ment had sabsided, and nothing more was
said about going to meet the yankees. The
fact is, the yankees have not been here no,
near here neither will they com witheut
some difficulty, as this place is pretty vel
fortified there being three forts below here
on the river, several regiments of infantry
one or two Of artillery, and then our cavalry
to bring up the rear.
|, Upon first intelligence that the yankees
were coming, some of the people in Newberr
fed the city" and 1 learn that the men en-
tirely monopolized the cars leaving the la.
e dies no chance whatever to escape Wer
q they not gallant fellows? What lady woul
e not like to have such a man to protect he
( through life!
n APPreposs vhy sfe aornaliJ fxefosaasSr9y
ing : Do they prefer robbing some for
mother of an afeetionote son, to waiting fc
a soldier? If | thought all were so, | neye
0 would wish to return from the war. But
n do not believe it. We know we are kindl
remembered by many of the ladies': an
g Notwithstanding beautiful bouquets and othe
g sentimentals are not showered upon us s
profusely as formerly, perhaps the more SUI
~stantial have taken their places.
i With the promise that you shall hear fror
me again, | have the honor to remain,
Yours, &C., SYLVANUS.
"