Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1863-07-24
FROM OUR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
CAMP 10Th AND 18TH REa'T. 8. G.. Vols


Qrietude-Little to do-Rain- Visit to the Look
u. Fos,er- Places Of interest," Village on the
Top Of the Mou"tain-Col. Cocke-7He Sig.
nal Corps Post-V View of Mountain and
p'Hages-1hs Crouons-Di,iner-7he More
Rev. Mr.. Whiide,-7 7sst1ments-Lieut. Nm.
1fdttison - Fortifying - Recruits - Ours a
Healthy Loeality-Returned-7 Papers-
etc, etc.
Dear Wilson To us this has been
week of quietuds, and have had but little
to do. The weather has been sultry and
warm. Rain has fallen nearly every day,
since ! wrote yox:nysSt2ee Il
! ltQa,Au:sday SOreing taKing4h trout
step'<< with "arms at NiIl" se went on. the
Looks % Odt=MoGuta;u to see What could be
seen from the Point near the Tennessee
River. Obtaining permits from the Briga.
dier, Rev. Mr.. Whilden, of Charleston,
S. c., Capt. W. J. Tailor, Lieut.. Bostick,
1nman and myself set out at an early
hour this morning for our trip. After We
had gone about two miles up the moun-
tain side we were overtaken by Capt. r Il.
Harlee, and Eieutenants Richardson
on fIe same mission that we we're on:
After halting and resting with us a short
time wo resumed our walk until we came
10 spring on the upper side Of the road.
The spring had been dug out as cave on
account of the peculiar clay found here
1t is used to make FIRE proof bricks. Bricks
made Of this DIRT or clay are not affected
BY the hottest furnace. At this spring We
found Mr.. James D. Foster, who lived
few hundred yards farther up the noun
tain, and used water from this spring.
He unlocked the door opening to the
spring and offered US his cup, and, as we
had become thirsty from heat and ascend
ing the hill, we thanked the old. man, and
accepted bis offer. After satiatiug our
thirst, we began to make some inquiries as
to the places Of interest on the mountain.
He appeared perfectly acquainted with the
mountain and directed US to several places
which We found impracticable to visit, at
present. Heesdirected us to the ..Rock
City," The "Great Lake." aud the ''Rock
Creek Falls" We left for the "Peak"
towards the Tennessee promising ourselves
that If An opportunity present itself that
We should visit these places. We are now
on the top Of the Mountain and soon ar
rived at the beautiful little village called
Summerville. There are no very ex-
pensive buildings, but all are neatly
arranged. Only few persons are now
living in this village, owing I presume
t" tho condition of the country. After
pasans to the extreme end of town
we met with Col. Daniel f. Cooke, of
General Morgan's command. The Colo
mel invited US into bis house but we thank.
him and excused ourselves on account of
time. He Was very communicative. He
soon told US that he was a native of the
Old Dominion, and appeared proud to claim
it as his native State. He is a wealthy
planter. He walked to the edge of the
mountain and showed us one of his farm
in the valley. He is one of the F.F. VS.
BE said that Morgan had promised to 90
to camp Chase at an early day. Bidding the
Colonel adieu we proceeded to the point,
where we found q half dozen members of
the signal corps. They. were continually
transmitting dispatches either; to or from
the front. This was tite second post. The
first being in the city. Tho corps have
posts at prominent points along the route
from the Generals Headquarters to the out.
posts. These posts are generally about
three or four miles apart. BY means OF
this corps dispatches may be sent a
long'eistancs in very few minutes. Thev
signal from one to another by certain waves
Of flag. The meaning Of the particular
moves Of the flags are of course not known
to any except themselves.
& From the Point we had mapnifcent
view Of this mountainous country. The
talley looked from this high peak much a.,
a'well cultivated garden of evergrsens,
the trees looked like bushes or sbrubbery.
The roads looked as narrow walks the bills
as mounds. Phe broadssiver as it winds
about tue valley skirtedstb overhanginp
eahd outspresding trees reminds one of a
pathway bounded ty lockwood. Having
frequently seen these mountains I lack that
degrees Of inspiration that general seizes
one upon irst sight, but never look upon
theSgrand spectacle without ipvoIuntarily
being filled with feeling Of tho majesty
and power of the Creator of these things
and Of the fraiIty and weakness Of man.
Leaving the post of the signal corps and
climbiugdowu harrow passway through
bigh cliffs We descended by different route
from the one we went up. when we
were half way down tie mountain, we come
TO dwelling where lived family bv the