Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-20
Letter from Rev. j. Fl. Beckwith.
WILLIAMSBURG, Va, May 6.

WILLIAMSBURG, Va, May 6.
), Friend Earle,-You will be surprised
probably to get letter from me dated at
Williamsburg, Va, aud perhaps more so
L.. to learn that am chaplain of colored
cavalry ! But SO it is, at least seem to
be here, although l can hardly tell how
or why. Not to speak of the march of
your I'D correspondent hither, will say
a few words, LIST, in regard to the req
, ment, and I'd, of the country. This is a
regiment raised by Gen, Butler at Fort
Monroe, and is the second colored regi
ment raised by him here, and for auoht
l know the second cavalry raised in the
/, United States. Perhaps you remember
to have read Of an expedition to Suffolk
few weeks since in which colored re-
giment displayed remarkable bravery,
the officers having 10 keep back the men
from rushing into the midst of the foe.
: In the engagement part Of the regiment
was separated from the remainder, and
found themselves nearly surrounded by
the rebels. Many attachments under
p similar circumstances would have sur
rendered; not so the colored cavalry
Under the leadership of 1t. Col. Pond
they cut their way through the enemy
, with great gallantry. You have only to
see them mounted to say, "these men
will fight" They are as eoldierly and
brave looking as white regiments, aud st
their horses better. The officers are all
good and true; they are gentlemen, sew
eral OF them educated; | want no better
commander than Col. Cole and bis 1t.
Col. aud Ma or are true supports 10 their
efficient clfef. They went on a raid or
reconnaissance two days ago, marched to
within fifteen miles Of Richmond, broke
up camp of the enemy and captured
several horses have just returned and
are ordered of again to night Really
the position Of regiment of cavalry a;
present is no sinecure. There is the Isl
colored cavalry encamped about mile
from US, have seen less service than the
second, but a fine looking regiment
Expect glowing history for the ozark
brigade" 1t has been fully proved that
black men will fight, and | think from
the appearance Of these men they will
90 as far as theit officers, than whom none
are Drawer.
The country through which we pass
from Fort Monroe to this point is very
desolate. From Yorktown-I2 mics
there are not dozen cultivated farms
and Oh towards Richmond the fences are
all gone, or nearly all, and you will hard
y see living thing except some miser-
able pigs, and few colored people,
Hereabouls the same is true. This, you
will remember is the first battle field Of
McClellan's "peninsular campaign" 1t
is finely situated for defence against
force advancing up the country. There
are numerous earthworks and three sub
stautial forts, one Of them-Fort Magru-
der-is occupied as the headquarters of
the post, has telegraph communication
with Fort Monroe and is a strong fort
commanding The whole open space
around, The other forts are not occu-
pied. WiIliamsburgh is a finely located
town, containing before the war large
lunatic asylum, William * Mary's COL
Iege and several fine public buildings
place OF considerable wealth and much
aristocracy, about 200 inhabitants. Now
the college is burned and stands there
noble ruin. Ii made me sad to look at it,
for once it stood next to Harvard as to
antiquity and excellence. In front of it
is a marble statue Of Count de Botetourt,
erected 1878. The college was burned
by our soldiers, alas for the necessities Of
war The lunatic asylum still stands
and is in operation, has about $50 in
mates. Like other southern works il is
on grand scale, covering eleven acres
of ground. The place is now occupied
mostly by colored people. The chivalry
and the beauty have fed; how mad the
leaders of the rebellion were 1t was
madness however that had a purpose, and
l have no doubt the war must go on till
that purpose is accomplished. But one
has only TO look upon this beautiful coun-
try in its desolaton to feel how awful are
the judgments Of God. Up in your own
peaceful homes you know nothing really
of war a few men il is true are goHe,
but you must visit The seat of war to have
any real idea Of its horrors. Tell all
Christians to pray for the army, and for
the speedy honorable termination of the
war and its cause.
J. III. BEoKwITH.
1--WE are glad of any letter for publ
cation from the army, but we are partic-
nlarly pleased at receiving the above
from our old pastor and friend; and we
are not alone in our pleasure. Mr.. Beck
with has many friends who would be re-
i r 4 l. Sold