Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-02-20

"Long Grabs" in letter to the FayetteVlile
Observer, from the army of the Rappahannock,
says:
1.-The first idea that occurs to man OF sense on
beholding great army in the exercise OF all Its OPP
erations III active service, is its enormous expense
Thousands of officers and hundreds OF thousands OF
soldiers must be fed and clothed and provided with
medical aid tents, cooking utensils, axes, Spades
desks, paper, pens, arms, equipments, ammunition,
drums, flags, wagons, horses, mules, forage, sad
dies, halters harness, cannon, caisSonS and amou-
lances all, must be paid for by the government, at
high prices. Then all property destroyed or appro-
prlated by the army; freight on stores and sup
plies transportation for troops, and tor the sick
and discharged; rent of buildings for hospitals,
ranging in Richmond from 81 500 to So, 900 year,
for each ware. house or building used; bounties;
hospital attendants, stores, medicines and liquors;
together with eXOrbitant prices swindng, forging,
specializing and extravaganza foot up an amount
truly astounding. 1t makes one think that the
government pocket is full of holes through which
the money is going out and only one where it
in, that at period not very remote, there
may be "nary red" in the till! 1t is to be hoped
that rigid economy may be practced in our al
fairs, although efficiency be somewhat impaired
thereby.
Tents are now more numerous and to each one is
a stick and dirt chimney, making it really comfort
able The only way known practiced at the first
of the war to have fire in tent by means of
stove, but the chimney is an infinite improvement
| hardly think it necessary to supply infantry with
overcoatS; thick stout blanket is much more val
liable On the march, the soldier cannot carry his
overcoat and other necessary equipments, and has
often 10 throw his Overcoat away. In battle, he
can seldom use his overcoat, and consequently 1t
gets lost. While in camp, and by good fires, he
Goes not need it. and if picket or on other duty
he can easily tic his blanket around him, if it is
practicable to wear over garments that his blan-
kpt which hn iS rppuirnd IN will do IN all
occasions in place Of Overcoat, well as to sleep
on. think, both from experience and observation,
that thick wooden cravatS injury rather than
benefit to the soldier. The ordinary clothing can
generally be arranged as to afford sufficient pro-
lection to the neck, while thick wooden wrapping
causes the pores of the neck and throat to become
open rendering that sensitive and vital part of the
body more liable to disease from exposure. 1t
would be better to the material for gloves socks
and under clothing which with blankets and gloves
are always most needed.
Among the many illusions to individual gallan-
try, sec but little mention Of North CarolinianS,
who deserve such compliments to the full extent
enjoyed by the troops of any other State, as the
following incident will show. have not yet heard
of any feat of individual bravery and GOODNESS more
worthy ofadmiration indicative of <ruer gaan-
try and Chivalry. During the battle of FredcrickS-
burg. Sergt COvngton, Of the "Pee Dee Guards, "
23d n. c. T., ard son of Dr. c. G. COvington, of
k0cklnGnaIn became separated from the regiment
and the rest of our army, when, being unarmed, he
met with two armed Yankees, one of whom imme-
diatcly leveled his gun at COvingnn, who ordered
them to surrender, and called out Come on, boys,
here's two more prisoners" At the same instant
he seized one Yankees gun, who surrendered with
out firing, and then pointing the gun at the other
Yankee, he laid down his arms, and surrendered
also Corington quickly marched them off to the
regiment, first loading them with valuables and
provisions, the Yankees in the meantime being very
inquiSitive to where were the "other boys
They had gone some distance before they. under
stood the matter, when they manifested very bitter
rcmorse and selEreprosch at their own stupidity
and cowardce Serg't. Covington was highly COM
plmentcd for his gallantry."