Charles City intelligencer., 1865-04-13

no trace of the barbarous spot is left
behind Bear its red soil onward to
the sea Let the blue pillows of the
main be tingcd with the blood of those
sable martyrs Their cries and
lgroans have, already been borne on
the wind to the cars of millions ON
this continent, and to the inhabitants
of far distant Isles Nay, more
those cries of agony ascended above
the stars, and the day Of retribution
and of vengeance will (if it has not
already come
Forgive, friend Hildreth this ebulli-
tion of resentment against the Fort
Pillow butchers, and will change the
subject. We had but few passengers
on the Leviathan, and these found to
be very agreeable companions. Among
those who came on board at Cairo was
Gen. Marcy, the father-in-law of Gen
George B. Mcclellan. He was on a
tour of inspection, and left us at Vicks-
burg | found him sociable, interest
ing and very intelligent AS | stood
alone looking from the door of the
cabin he came to me and began con-
versation. We had conversed some
time before | learned who he was
We talked upon various subjects, Re-
ligion, the Army and Navy, the as
poets Of the War, Gen. Mcclellan,
&c, &c. While speaking of his SON.
in-law he went to his trunk and brought
me the likeness of Gen. Mcclellan and
wife also, those of his own wife and
J. I. Headly who is writing McClel-
lan's life. On alluding to Headlys
style, he went again to his trunk and
brought me book written by himself,
entitled "The Prairie Traveller" |
had not time to read the book, but
merely glanced over the pages. 1t is
written in what should call a neat
style, and while it will interest all who
read it, those who have to travel over
land to California would find it very
useful as guide"
Four days after the General left Us
at Vicksburg we arrived at Natchez.
Our camp is about mile and half
from the city. met with a cordial re-
ception from Col. Preston and his Off |
GERS, and | sincerely hope | may be
of use to them and to the privates of
his command. Our regiment numbers
over nine hundred men. Our camp is |
pleasantly located in a grove of ma
iestic trees on the estate of Gen. j. 4. !
Quitman who acted conspicuous part
in our war with Mexico. Gen. G. died,
fortunately for himself, before this re-
bellion commenced. His mansion is,
like many others around Natchez, a
splendid one. 1t is occupied by the
Generals three daughters 1.-TWO of
whom are bitterly opposed to u.s. the
A. \. General and your humble SER
want sleep in what was once Gen.
Quitman's dining room, and write this
upon one of his marble top tables. !
have an clubhouse full of shelves for
books and papers, but the most of
the books are packed in boxes in the
room. There are many books, howev-
er, still on the shelves, the majority of
which are romances and novels. This
place have set apart for school
room, for you must know that, in addi-
tion to my Chaplaincy, | have become
a teacher-not of the higher branches,
but of A, B, c, and ab, eb, ib, &c. l.
preach Oh the Sabbath from the Book
of Books, and teach on week days
from Websters Elementary Spelling
| Book and one or two other books of
like character. In the room speak of,
teach twenty non-commissioned col
ored officers, qualifying them for high
er Offices. The rest of the regiment l
teach at different hour under the
shade Of tree--that is, when the
weather is fine.
We have had considerable rain since
| came here. When the weather is
fair it is warm enough to teach and
preach in the open air with light
clothes on. Some of my pupils learn
quickly and retain what they learn.
Others are dull and forgetful Their
mistakes and blunders are sometimes
so exceedingly ludicrous that, in spite
of all the gravity have and assume,
am compelled to laugh outright and,
what is worse, they join me right
heartily. "Now,r said to them the
other day, "boys, if you go on in this
way you'll soon have no teacher, for
you'll be the death OF me ! cannot
endure such laughter In moment
they were as silent and grave as owls.
. In and out Of school 1T is the same.
} For example /: one of the brightest OF
of them came TO me the other day. and
with the gravity Of a stole philosopher
said, "Chaplain, wants to learn to
talk politics" politics ?" said l.
! "Yes sab high dixinary, you know
intended to give you many other
, incidents-say something of the peo,
pie here, &c, &c, but this letter is al
} ready too long, and I must reserve the
, remainder for future letter.
: Sincerely your friend,
, j. g. WrrEp,
Chap. 5Sth Reg. L. S. Cold lnfty