The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1863-06-24

be distinctly seen from Gen. Hills head.
quarters. | was at this Generals quarters
this afternoon in full view of the enemy's
batteries-saw them shelling an old house
on this side of the riyer-could see the
smoke rise at every report and follow the
course Of the shell and see il explode above
and short oc II. hnnse.
Gen. Ewell as you have doubtless seen
succeeds TO the immediate command Of the
late StonewslLwith certain changes in Army
Corps | had the pleasure Of witnessing
his reception by the Troops when he rs
sumed his new command. Gen. Ewsll is
fine looking General and is said to be sec.
ond 10 none as fighter. Since those chan.
ges made necessary by the death Of Jack.
son, the 18th Regiment, Col. Miller, is in
Gen. Penders Division who by the way is
dashing young West Pointer, he is per.
haps the youngest Major General in the
Confederate Service, about % years Of age,
but his reputation rs a fighter is much
older. The 18th Regiment has been fOrtu-
nate in the selection of her Field and Staff
officers This Regiment, with / might say
the whole Brigade, deeply lament the loss
Of the brave Col. Barns. Had he been
spared until now, he would have been en-.
joyIng still higher honors. Although the
loss TO this Regiment at the time seemed
irreparabls, yet from that same Regiment
material was found in the line To till the
field, not only with competent officers, but
with gentlemen-combinng the officer with
the gentleman.
No one could feel that he WAS far from
home, and in strange place, which your
correspondent felt, before reaching the
Regiment, bu, in the company Of Col Mil
ler, Lieut.. Col. Davis, Maj. Book,er, Adj't.
Smith. Surgeon Baly, Ast. Surgeon Keatb,
the pious and gentlemanly ChaplaiE, Rev
Mr.. Anderson, and the officers and soldiers
OF the old 18th, whose hosI itality shared
40 Profusely. for the time, forgot my dis
tance from the dear ones at home, and par.
took Of their cheerfulne,-, until felt so
easy and at home, that ] imagioned that
WAS at home under our own shady bower
listening TO the soldier and his class demon.
stating a problem from "Loomis," or the
professor diving down TO his original irst
causes and demonstrating from hrastotIle.
but these pleasant dreams were suddenly
disipated, when the order came to strike
tents, and take up the line Of march. felt
hen that was far from home, wi,hou,
any particular aim before me. But not
withstanding my nerves were unsccustomed
to the shock Of battle, ] marched on with
the rear guard and remained with the Reg
iment in line OF battle, until evening, with.
out, 30 far as could see, any visible signs
of tear--for how could be otherwise " wiih
this veteran Regiment, who were rs com
posed and cheerful in line Of battle as in
camp.
! should be pleased to mention General
kershaw and his gallant Brigade. but my
uninteresting letter is now quite too long
called on that gentleman, however, in con.
nection with the old second, and found him
and his command in fine health and spirits
am under obligations TO General kershaw
for Kindness extended me while with his
Brigade. ! vas prevented from visiting
him again BY the universal marching ord,r
in this army. His Brigade moved several
days In advance Of General McGowans
presume in the direction Of Culpepsr, bu,
out side Of high official circles no one
knows the disposition Of the troops ! have
seen what struck He AS being the world in
arms, but those whs are initiated, say !
have seen nothing more than what would
be termed, the rear guard Of General Lee =
Army. JUSTIrlA.