Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1863-08-12
FROM THE l7TH RECT, S. CIV.
BIvouAcK NEAR FOREST SPATIoS,)
Scott County, Miss July 90 1863 (

Dear Enquirer After the enemy have
uhown no disposition to accompany us, but
only endeavored to complete the destruction
of Jackson, our Generals have concluded
to rest Us for season, and, in order to find
water, they have led US Into wilderness,
from which, if I was at liberty, I could not
extricate myself upon cloudy day. We
are located In place very hard to describe
in such manner as to make it accessible
to stranger, without difficulty. The near:
'ess point oD the Rail Road is Forest, la
miles distant, and our camp, "Sprawls," is
located on range of sugar loaf hills, that
line the banks of Oaney Creek; in Scott
County; the most homelike- stream I
have seen in this State. We have been
halted here about week, In which time
we have been recovering from our fatigue
and disheartening misfortlnes. hope soon
to be able to say that the sold seventeenth"
is at the "top of her mettle again." As to
speculation or orstatenent. in regard to army
movements, I can say nothing, but must
content your readers with matters of a.dif.
ferent kind. We have found spring in
this State, at last, and q good one too, and
we are permitted to have as much water as
we please. The hearts of all the soldiers
in this Division were made to leap with JOY
as one spring after another was discovered
near to us. How the poor fellows were be.
ginning to think the State was not worth
fighting for, no how; but if they are called
upon here, they will battle gloriously around
these springs. L understand the land around
our camp is public, and was held by the
Government at 81 so per acre. The hills
would be hard at the price, but the bottoms
are magnificent. have just returned from
walk with some friends, and as it may in.
terest some of your readers, I will give you
the result of our observations. We had
been informed of Beavers dam upon the
creek below US, and although we have
creeks of that name in old Carolina, yet the
Beavers dams, like the Indians, have dis.
appeared, and live only by uame, or the
recollection of "the oldest inhabitant. -
We proceeded down the. banks Of the creek
for some distance, and were very much
struck with the richness of the low lands
the well timbered hills and enormous Mag.
nolias that grow upon the banks Of the
stream, together with all the varied under.
growth. One Magnolia tree measured l2
feet in circumference, the largest 1 have
ever seen, and bearing the richest foliage
| We soon came to the head or our dam, and
upon looking around US; discovered the toll
of that sagacious animal, the Beaver, as
manifested by the numerous stumps cut in
a peculiar manner, which attracted our at.
tcntiou. The trees cut down are usually
from II to S inches in diameter, and are
invariably cut in such i way as to leave the
sharp point up. When the tree is large, ii
seems number of them have been cutting
together, or else one carries on the operation
in number of places at the same time
They seem to make little or no distinction
between the different trees, if any is favor.
ed, it is the Magnolia. I have sent home
stick, cut and trimmed by Beaver, which
is Holly, also find number of the iron.