American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-03-13
LETTER FROM THE 18TH MISSISSIPPI.
FREDERICKSBURG VA.


Feb. %. ls63. I s
Error CIrIzES Knowing the eageruess with
which your readers peruse letters from the army,
am induced to take up the pen and endeavor to
supply the place of those correspondents that for
merry figured so favorabiy in the columns of your
paper.
We are still qrarter,d in the city of Fredericks-
burg. and Co. C y Occupies one of those fine old
buildings erected by persons that slumber in
the silent churchyard- The accommodation aft ,rd
ed by those capacinus buildings are agreeable and
excellent. consequently fellows like it. and are
in enjoyment of list rate health We d. picket
every third night but we do find the duty hard
to perform much severer duty has fallen to our
lot hence regard this duty respite from
our harder toll. The weather is exceedingly Geld.
and the snow lies Twelve inches on the level.
bat at every post bright fire CLOVIS to warm the
sentinel that guards the canse of Southern Rights.
The reiefs remain only two hours post in twelve.
and when those two hours are passed. the weary
sentinel has comfortable room. and merry COM
rades to greet him. The Yanks have no wood
hence they are necessitated to walk their posts
constantly in order to keep warm. 1t is evident
that they do not appreciate their condition con-
trasted with ours. They threaten occasionally.
and not unfrequently speak of crossing. We usual
y
thus indicating the reception in store for them
should they presume to attempt to fulfill their
promise. We are not allowed To hold conversation
with them. They seem to be under restriction
in this particular. Flags of truce come almost
daily. and papers have been exchanged daily until
recently. Fighting Joe " will not permit an ,ex-
change. and our papers say that he has prohibited
the circulation of papers in his army. / suppose
that he does not wish the army to know of the dis
affection that prevails in the Northwest for fear his
=. hoosier boys might become contaminated It's
evident that a storm is brewing north that will
shake :. Father Abraham . out of his rckety seat
The administration is abused publicly, and Vallan-
digham, Merrick and Bright besides host of 9th
eys appeal in Strains of irresistible eoquence in be-
half of humanity and peace The Newark city
men asked if they will again send their sons to
the battle field If they will submit to CONSUMPTION!
Cries of a. No. never IL the response. There is
Doubtless great coslmotiol, and it will ultimately
result benecially. But the time is not yet arrived
when the people of the North will rise and
demand cessation of those hostilities that have
denged country in blood. More victims are
yet 10 be sacrificed ere they will be brought to
their senses. The slightest reverse to our arms
would Iuli the tempest that threatens Lincoln
and his myrmiJons with destruction, and would in
spire Yankeedom with new hopes of conquest and
subjugation. But let US maintain ourselves. Let
us thrash them at vicksburg and Charleston and
every breeze that sweeps from the North will bear
to our ears cries for peace. and Napoleon, long
will at sway the balance in our
favor. Thus the South will be saved, her indie
pendence declared, and the cause of humanity and
freedom benefited.
1t is positively ascertaincd that Hooker has with
drawn considerable portion OF his command from
orr front Only few thousand are left for great
or security of Washington. We do not know what
his ultimate design is. but we feel confident that
Genl. Lee is up to all his tricks and though Yam
kec they be- in the end he will find himself bad
" euchred Burnside, when he pledged
himself to crush the rebellion the banks of the
Richmond papers state that so 600 of Hooker's
have landed at Newport News. and are
quarters, as if for permanent stay,
while others of the same command have been sent
respectively to South Carolina. North Carolina and
Tennessee. How true this is I cannot say, but of
This caa you n.oves have been made to
balance th,sr" crushing scheme. Gen. Barksdale. /
or " Old Bark AS the boys Familiarity name him.
in common conversation,-is with US again, after a
brief absence in which time he visited Mississippi.
lie is generally liked by his men, and all have i'm
plcit confidence in him on the field. His presence
Is inspiring, and his undaunted example wins
paudits from all. and encourage the most timid to
deeds Of valor a good joke is going the rounds in
camp, said to have happened to the General in the
late battle of Fredericksburg.
The General observed disposition to dodge /
when the shell few very thick. He consulting /
Col Luse, when the shell came very thick. Col l..
advised him to get behind bank where the reg- |
nent was lying. He said, . No, l will not ccun-
tenance dodgng.'' Some of the men chung close to
the bank very large shell quite the
General. Involuniary his head bowed almost
10 touch the ground. and at the time he said,
icoaf encourage this lodging"
1t. Col, Lnse is in command during the absence I
IF our dear old Col. Griffin. His gentlemanly bear
ing in camp renders him favorte. and his cool
the field plainly attest his capacity
rs leader. Capt Cassell being absent on fur
ough. 1t. McKie is in command. The Company. I
the hardships and battles. is still
quite full and in enjoyment of good health. The
Z. Camden Rifles = aud :. Beauregard Rifles y are all
we'll. The fact is, our army is in excellent health
md fighting trim.
As nothing else of interest suggests itself to my I
mind, will come to a close. Overlook disconnec- +
lion, &C., a natural result of writing under dis
advantageous circumstances. PICKET.
p. S. Last accounts from home report several I
So it would appear that war does not
entirely stop the good work. We sosdiers don't
have much show. but will ''grn and endure it,
We miss the girl and the wedding too That's too
hard but never mind, we looking forward to a
better day. r.
81 Yesterday a Yankee iron clad. apparently /
he counterpart of the Indianola. came down the
river to point where the mortar-boat re- I
GENTLY moored and opened on the city with her
wo stern guns. Ten twelve shots were fred.
when finding would not respond. she moved on