The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-08-07
!,
Interesting Letter.


We are permitted by friend to extract the !
following from q letter to him from gentleman
in Huntsville, Ala 1t gives a gloomy though
interesting account of the second advent of Lin
coins hirelings into that once beautiful and
prosperous section Of our country. It was not
written for publication, but will not elicit less
interest on that accounts
For days after Bragg crossed the river, the
people here were kept in state Of constant ex
cltement by the repeated reports brought in of
the approach of the Yankees. From every por-
ton and direction of the country people were
flying with what movable property they had
across the river, and panic, widespread, seized
every person. Those that could not 90 and were
left at home, were busy concealing such of their
valuables as they might expect to be carried off
by the enemy. Exciting accounts of their do
lngs elsewhere were circulated, and the inhabi- 4
tants had their fears and apprehensions greatly
aroused Nearly all of the young women Of town
and country left their homes and crossed the ri
yer, to be scattered over the South. Hunteville
wore the aspect of intense gloom, all occupation
ceased, and the streets were solitary; with here
and there a little squad gravely discussing the
probabb progress Of things out in Dixie. Vicks-
badly Whipped in Pennsylvania, which of course
depressed us all yerJ greatly, and added much
to the intolerable certainty that we were to be
occupied by the Feds perhaps for the balance of
the war
ssWell, after expectation and apprehension
had gotten upon tiptoe, and our visions strained
with looking for their coming, we awoke on
Monday morning, the 18th Of July, with the an
Enouncement that the town was full of blue-coats.
they had come in awhile before day, and quietly
waited until the people were awake andup to re-
ceiye them. The force was entirely cavalry, un-
der the command Of Gen. Stanly. We were sur
prised and greatly relieved at the quieiness and
order which they observed in taking possession
of the place. They rode about the streets in all
directions, but enteredno private lots or grounds
The cisizens were wholly unmolested in person
or property, no insulting word or act made use
Of to any one. The number in and about the
town the earlier part Of the day was compara-
lively small, but in the afternoon they came
pouring in, regiment after regiment, in formula
bic column. The day was spent in quartering
the troops, and strong guard was put out at
night. We all slept quietly, and awoke in the
morning hardly conscious Of their presehce.-
They paraded about extensively in town and
country on Tuesday Late in the afternoon, the
Of troops, came in with the music of a Brass
Band and the tramp Of horse, which of course
called out the town in force, especially the ne
groesand children. Like the pelting Of the frogs
by th&boys, this was all glory to them but death
ssWh4t the looks and feelings Of the people
were, Twill not pretend to describe. My own
feelingabeing the type, they were gloomy indeed.
felt tEat, to u.s. the doom of Imprisonment for
the way was settled, and that the prospect for
living hire with them to destroy and eat up the
substance Of the land was most dismal indeed.
Proclamation was soon issued calling upon the
people ITO send in meat and corn to provision
man and beast, with the comforting assurance
that iflit were not speedily done, they would
send. 0st and take all that the people had. Fo-
raging end provisions wagons were soon set in
motiohi and the corn and meat of the country
was brought in from all directions. We were
told blythe Generel that he had instructions to
takesall the mules, horses, and able-bodied ne
groes between the ages of II and As. Squads
were soon set in motion to gather up these
They went and came with scores Of mules, hor-
SEES ndnegroes, marching them in from al DR.
rections and from everybody. From many plan
tations they took every negro man and boy, and
every hbrse and mule of any worth. The peo-
get some Of their negroes and horses. To all he
was p0lite, considerate, and, as far as he could
be, accommodating. Had negroes and mules re-
turned,.at least in part, but held on to all the
youngmen and good animals. They took the
men without any regard to their family ties or
concessions. A great many Of the negroes of the
country took to the hills and woods, and evaded
their search. Many came willingly and left glad
~. We know nothing Of the condition Of things
in the South, shut outas we are from all mail
facilities. To us, as we get the account of things
from the Northern papers, the prospect is dark
and gloomy indeed. But still We don't believe
half Of what we see published. We know that
VicksbuR and Port Hudson have fallen. These
are sad caamities, but all is not lost with them
We masE 1earn how to brook some misfortunes,
and stand firm for freedom"
l pa Passengers by tho Orange train on
Tuesday. reported to the Lynchburg Virgil
nianE shat the Federal troops were slowly adj
vaneing in the direction Of Culpeper c. H.
Gen Lee is ready to receive them