The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-18
FROM GEN. EARLY's COMMAND.

Correspondence of the Raleigh Confederate.
In Camp, 20 miles east from Staunton. Oct. 4.
On the LIST inst. we broke up camp at Waynes-
boro and marched through a continuous rain to
this place, distance of fourteen miles, over some
of the muddiest roads [ have seen for many long
and weary months. Our infantry and artillery are
still and quiet in camp, and from all the lndica-
lions around US, suppose the enemy do not In
tend to disturb us, if we will only let him alone.
Our cavalry have been skirlnishing daily since
Sunday morning, and On yesterday, Wiekham's
Brigade is reported to have driven the Yankee
mounted troops across Bridgewater upon our left.
So far as | am able to learn the main body of the
enemy is at Harrisonburg, about thirteen miles
from US, and his pckets extend in this direction to
Mt. Crawford, five miles to our front and the Win
chester turnpike. Gen. Early has certainly as
sumed the offensive, and having made this ad-
vance, placed himself in favorable position in
which to offer battle
This valley is the most beautiful country | have
ever looked upon. Its crops of wheat and hay last
summer the finest ever behel3, and its POP ula-
ton is certainly the most hospitable and patriotic
have ever known. But sad to relate. What At
tilla and bis vandals perpetrated in the beautiful
plains of Italy, have been re-enacted here by Sher-
idan and his minions. and should cons en- him and
his patrons to the degree Of lasting infamy
From Mt. Sydney ten miles east Of Stanton, to
lance of about one hundred miles, it seems to have
been literally blasted by this bosom Of destruction
in human form. Not mill is known to be left
unburned. Every barn has been laid in ashes, un-
less its hapless owner able to frame some de-
vice by which to ransom or save it, A hapless old
widow lady, Mrs. Peters, told me to-day that the
band Of wrctches who to burn her little fab
ric called barn, when they made known to her
the object Of their fend like visit, she besousht
Cod thpIr tn DIV thpn LET hpa RI
and thus save them from such crime Of barbar-
ism, and herself from such calamity: they offered
to spare it the condition she would give them
all the gold silver, and greenbacks she mi ght have
on her hands Her only stock amounted to eight
dollars and few cents, for which the Fandals
agreed to spare the poor old widows little barn.
The same band agreed to spare gentleman S barn
in the same neighborhood for five hundred dollars
which was paid them and they left. a second
party came by, and laid it in ashes. Every wheat
stack, every bushel of wheat. and every hayrick
has been consumed by the blazing torch, horses
cattle, hogs and sheep carried off destroyed, and
muititudes driven from their homes, helpless wan
derers, among strangers, in and distress, by
those Yankee fepds incarnae.-llow long-oh
Lord, how long? Surely God has strange
work to accomplish with US, or among us, else fire
from Heaven would consume these memorable bar
barians from off the face of the earth.
presume some of weak -kneed peace men
of the old North State begin to think surely the
people of the Valley Of Virginia are conquered
now, and Will give it up. Far, far from it. have
not found croaker among them. A I'M
daunted courage, and lottier patriotism, | never
contemplated, than they manifest under these dis
tressng circumstances; both men and women
Virginia with all thy faults | love thee STILL
Their firm ana unvarying resolve is expressed in
these words, Eight on, fight on to which my
heart responds, Amen. Our troops in good
spirits and once more ready for action.
SIGMA