Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-08-03
FROM THE ARMY OF NORTHERN
VIRGINIA.
CORRESPONDENCE or THE WHI0l

some of the editors OF the mesgfeness OF news
from this army IS that they catering to morbid
and Unsuitable appette for news satisfied with nothing
short OF one constant and uninterrupted carnival OF
death aud boodshed though brothers friends and coun-
trymen be the victims. Such is the demorazng effect
OF war that apparently large class OF readers viii pro-
badly be disappointed in learning that all is quiet IN
this portion of the army to-day and has been since the
severe little fight at Manassas Gap, on the 2Sd The
confused accounts of what s received is due to rely
ing on the statements of passengers by the entral
train" and reliable geatemen" from other directions,
who have no personal knowledge generally CT what
they speak aud merely retail reports that frequently
magnify mole-hills into mountains.
From the accounts received of the enemy's move
meuts the ode of war is moving usutl 10 circle,
and the thunder of artillery and roll Of musketry Will
soon again awake the slumbering echoes OF the Kappa
hammock Like AntRus OF old, when he touched his
mother Earth the heroes Of the army Of Northern VIZ
GINA feel that they have gained renewed strength and
determination by pressing once more the haio"eu SOL
of their native and beloved South. The spirit daily
manifested BY the men--especially in the gallant little
fight at Manassas Gap Iecenty-gives the assurance
that they will be inVucbe in 4he next conflict oil arms
with all the myrmiious LEcOn's TO be decapated Gen
eral can bring against them.
The late march of this co!p1-particulary OF Eary
division from the Lower Valley over the mountains--
was one of the seyeresi of the war Before leaving
Winchester, that division especially had been nearly
broken down by the fruit forced march nom Bunker
Hill in pursuit of the force OF Yankees In the vicinity
of Hedgesville Gen. Early having been ordered to
flank them and get 10 their rear oc this purpose had TO
cross the mountain near Mart nsburg aud make long
detour TO the left, which threw him q hard daJ :
march behind the remainder Of the corp, ard not
little imperled his division, as the Yankees we're
endeavorfns to occupy and hold the passes Of the
mountains to cut of the junction OF the corps with
the main body. Il was not the int ntion OF Gems.
Rodes and Johnston to cross at Manassas Chesers
o. INIT ha river Front ROYAL proceed
the Luray Valley, and cross the Blue Ridge at -
Gan which was most successfully accomplished. Tee
occupation Of Front Royal by the Yankees after the
passage Of the river by Rodes aud Johnston, caused
Gen. Early TO turn TO the right az Cedarvle h4nk the
Yankees and strike the Staunton turnpike et Middle
town bvouacng the first night on the banks Of the
Shenandoah near Strasburg. The weather was hot as
Tophet and notwithstanding the march Of two miles
every hour including halt and rest OF ten minutes, 1t
required all the energy and forttude OF the men, des
pOndent at times long march, 10 bear up under the
oppressive heat The sleep that night near Strssburg,
in the tall grass with no covering bu. the canopy of
Heaven to the weary men as sound and refreshing,
as al infants slumber The fret range OF mountains
was attained Sunday afternoon at Newmarket, aId
crossed Monday morning Reaching the Shenandoah
about midday two or three hours were consumed In
throwing a pontoon bridge across at Colombia Bridge,
DESTROYED by jackson in his brilliant Valley campaign,
to prevent the crossing Of Shields who was compelled
10 90 up the East side of the river and mountains while
Jackson pdri pdSsH up the Western, an efficient
signal officer keeping him advised Of the movements OF
his adversary. The Division reached the second and
last range OF the Blue Ridge Monhy night and en-
campsd 1T the foot in tile Page Valley. The greater
part Of the day Tuesday was occupied in crossing at
Fishers better known kilsU's Gap. TIE road over
the mountain here IS crossed by macadamizsd road,
much broken since the war began but ons of the most
splendid pieces Of engineering in the country On the
Western side by the direction Of the road il is
miles from the Tot TO the top and six miles from tie
top to the foot on the Eastern side The windings Of
the road like the convolutious of huge serpent, would
frequently bring part OF the ne OF march III speak
ing distance OF another, while 1t would in reality have
to traverse the distance of one and sometimes two miles,
reach it. The scenery from the top OF the mountain
is grand beyond description and affords prospect not
suTp Issed on any part of the castebordered Rhine
On either hand, as far as the range OF vision eX-
ends lay smiling valleys clad in the veTdure Of the
season, dotted here and there With beautiful farms,
elegant residences and little villages while far awsy,
until lost 10 the dim distance, extend she ranges OF the
Blue Ridge lifting their beads above the clouds Little
Page Valley may be very appropriately termedthe
Eden Of Virginia L. is one of the most fertile spots in
the State and its cultivated fields thriving and indie
pendent farmers show that il has yet little
of the desolasn that follows in the track Of Re-
turning the march, the division encamped on Robert
son river Tuesday night, and soon effected u2ction
with the corps.
Coming down the Samton turnpike, it was mesn.
choly sight refugees from Winchester and other
portions Of the Lower Valley eeiag with their house
hold gods from their homes hallowed by sacred memo
res aud associations and abandoned again to the desc
Grafton of the vandal Yankee. Let hope it is the
last time the accused foe will polue soil with hs
tread.
Earlys division comprises among the best troops in
the service including the Georgia brigade Of Gen. John
B. Gordon, of Alabama with which | moved on the
march. In the battle Of Gettysburg it killed and
wounded more Of the Yankees than its own numerical
strength At least three hundred buried 10 its
Immediate front It's previous brilliant record already
well known Gen. Gordon, of the most gallant and
efficient officers well best managers OF men In the
army, ia very pleasant aud afable gentleman, evil
dence of which is evinced in the fact that be seems TO
fud nothing in the duties Of the officer incompatible
with the obligations of the gentleman. While he Is a
strict discplnaran, he appreciates the community OF
interests of the officer and private in this for mu.
tua independence ard faithfully protects the rights oil
the men entrusted TO his charge. AS might be sup
posed he Is the idol OF his brigade and respected In
eminent degree BY the whole division,
The Adjutant General OF this brigade Is Capt. James
MITCHELL second son of Mr.. John Mitchell of the Rich
mOnd Edquirer, and one Of the most Intelligent and
brave young officers of the army.
Prof. Johns, an eminent aud successful teacher Of
Alabama and gentleman oil rare Accomplishments, Is
private in the signal corps Of Earlys division.
As the invasion of Pennsylvania did not equal fully
the expectations of Gen. Lee, who msgnanimously
sumes all responsibility under reverse and modesty
sumes less than is due him in success it is to be regret
ted now that Gen. Ewelps corps was not allowed to
prosecute its march to Harrisburg and other parts of
Pennsylvania while the main body remained on the
border of the State The advance guard of Gen. Ew-
ellis corps had gone within sight of the spires of Har
rsburg and we're cooking ratons for three days farther
on, when the order came directing him TO come back
to Gettysburg.
Gen. Exell is in fine health aud spirits, and though
somewhat emaciated is far from being pale and feeble,
as Yankee correspondents represented
TIE FIFTH VIRGINIA CAVALRY AT Aide
I,EETowN, JEFFERSON County, Va,
July 10th, 1868.
To The R,iitor Of me Wig: