The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-07-21

meal dearer than -four. He bought horse and wagon
worth about $780, for which he paid 81 so in confede-
scrip, in which he got away and made his escape
hare.
Our Army Correspondence.
SrERRYuIIE, Va, July IA, 1902.
The Start from Middlsopn and Arrival al Front RoyalA
Heavy Aarch-Arrical at Big Spring-And Nert Day
at Ltray-Bricf Sketch of the PSacs-The Arrival of the
Troops at peryriue-Descnptson Of Mel Route Of
March-Boror, che Vel Known Sculptor, Discovered on
the Top Of a Mountain, dc.
My last under date Of Juy7. was then with the
command Of General schurz being part OF General Sges
corps ddrmee. We encampsd for the night on an old
camping field four miles north Of Front Royal. A
freshing thunder storm welcomed the troops from
fagung march-a march not long, but Through
some msmanagement or bad judgment the part
OF some one, the troops loaded with accoutrs-
ments, arms and knapsacks, and not yet rested
from previous toilsoms marches over the rough
roads Of tho mountains did Middletown till the
was high in the heavens, and tho heat most op-
pressive Many cases OF stroke occurred. Wagons
were sent back to bring up the exhausted aud
'straggling," that to the army which Major Co
neral sgel endeavorsd promptly to guard against by
the Issue OF general ordor. blame for the
march Of tho body accompanied, all the field Of
fccrs with whom havo conversed agree the folly
OF making long marches, unless at early morn ct
nightfal
few suffers dispensed at sxtravagant prices, rasp
berry lemonade, oranges and lemons; and the
were allowed to loaf through the march at
their own convenience. At nno O'Clock A. NJ. Wed
nssday, the 9th, we left for Big Spring. which We
reached the next day. This is twenty miles from Front
Royal village.
Our next march to Lnray Court House the cap,ta
of Page county which the only considerable
our Thraa ttnk eav anfa fha IN afr
which is located the top OF steep hill surrounded
by most beautiful country. Its population is about
Ave hundred Tho last county vote before the war was
about fourteen hundred. Boil and Everett received
about ono hundred Douglas about seventy ye and the
rest for Breckiprdge think hore is not Union
man in the place; but they were much inteli-
gent people than is generally found in this valley
Baptist New school BAPTIST, and Methodst--wiih
OF course, Sunday schools There are also three
hools-primary intcrmoiate and grammar. Two
spscabs sized hotels used 10 dispense comforts to tho
traveller, but now their occupation is gone THIS be
considered the centre OF tho wheat growing district and the
crop eighteen to twenty bushels per acre. The
business Of the place Inns been confined to farming and
milling, until lately when (as was enabled TO learn
from the iowa cerk and othersl the Confederate govern
ment took charge of the Shenandoah Forge and Iron
Works. and are making considerable quantity OF iron
which IL sent 10 Richmond The iron Is Of a superior
quality, and the works located in the southwestern
part OF the county employing something like two hun
drcd and thirty slaves and twenty whites good quail
ty Of bar iron has also been manufactured there.
The Lafayette ledge Of Freenasons is located in this
town.
On march from Luray to this place (sparryvillo
IN Rappahanuocy county, road lay over tho
tains and through Thoritcn's Gapas lovely country
as ever gazed nuon and which viii soon endeavor to
describe Sperryvle Ia smart little town-dead now
Of ono hundred and fifty inhabitants, containing six
wheat mills, three saw mills school, two churches
aehodst aud Baptst) Zach seating about one hundred
persons two public houses taverns and two stores.
General sgel has not yet arrived, although he has
There is dearth of news. We heard BY telegraph Of
the capture Of eight wagons laden with provisions at
Iuray. Four hundred rebel cavalry made dash on the
First brigade Colonel Coes commanding, of tho Second
division, Brigadsr General Won stemwehr, and wore
repused by the Twenty ninth iment New York Voun
teers They were unable, ho xeyo, TO recover tho train
This took place on the l2th inst.
Our route from Mddetown has hoen through most |
magnificent country, mountains OF untold wealth in
everything that gives subnityfo poets thoughts;
rich IN production TO welcome our poscry to glorious
pebby streams, fed By pure springs from the earth
water power unsurpassed foliage Of evory nature, soil
OH what happy homes might be made hsrc |
by the honest people Of the North am geologist
botanst: Would that were, that might give hitting
valley much superior to that Of the Shenandoah.
was much surprised while passing over rhorntons
Gap, yea directly Its summit to meet civilized
lie loss than the noted Mr.. VIM B. Barber. the
sculptor Of the FISHER Boy, &c lilo resides in com
Portable log house withdrawn from tho of STRIFE
worshippiag Nature and studying her works His |
friends all Of the South and his sympathies with |
all the inhabitants, desires an early peace.
He has geen the Italian SGT and gazad on the mag
ncent scenery Of Europe but s fully confronted with
tho grandcurs Of these mountains. In the valley OF
Luray and her hill tops found cherries, wild and
OF the most delicious flavor persimmons, all kinds OF
berries chncapns dwarf chosnuts, &c. These chest
nuts are unlike OF tho North There Is but one 20
the burr and the celebrity Of Virginia hams attributed
to the fattening of the swine them. Tho mountain
filled with streams and fords which produce front
sometimes TO tho weight Of three pounds Shad formerly
froqnented the streams but the numberless dams now
prevent their ascending, and tho trout 10 their sole
monarch
Deer and bears roam the mountains In countless num-
bers 10 be extermnaed and for birds will men,
ton the grouse, quail mockng bird and cat bird The
latter Is almost as good mimic az the hooking bird
The asccpa blooming with large red clusters Of the
brilliant hue tina tiger lily, perfect Of the
North the trumpet flower or Virginia crseper eglantne
aud the Cherokee rose (sweet scentcd), magnolia
blooming as pure white tho camea) on trees forty
fty feet high scents the air with its fragrance
close bud will bloom In day Its fruit 10 shaped like
cucumber three four inches long and and half
inches in diameter, and IL is often used as tonic In
medicine.
The conyuvus 10 as common In some fields az the
dandellon 10 with II bears large white flower SINH
lar morning glory, and does grow but FEW
inches high Strange TO its root Ia eighteen inches
long and eve inches In diameter. These mountains
from 800 to $500 feet high. They well covered
with vcrdure and the sugar maple white and white
and yellow Pine abundant In the bottoms We also
and chestnut ash mulberry and particularly the locust
Th xstone gives bluosh hue to some OF the mountains
and can be detected In all the different springs II Is
seldom used here except for roads and manure.
Heavens artillery and muddy feet are stealing
about ali the poetry out Of me but think have given
enough facts TO prove 10 your readers that they
nuer az fondy round these lonely and lofty mountains
as upon the moro fashionable OF the North, where
dinner bell Is heard from every summit
Our army will probably remaiu here two or three days
longer in order TO procure prcvsions ammunition and
extra trains We shall then proceed 10 Cupspper Court
House distant twenty miles, where the enemy arc said
u be In force OF about ten thousand.