Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-17
FROM THE LINES Mellow RICHMOND.
OK THE LINES, NEAR HowLETT's, .
January 18th 1866

OK THE LINES, NEAR HowLETT's,
January 18th, 1865.
To Tee E.iitor Of tie Wig:
Ii seems from publications in some of your city
papers Of Yesterday that Dutch Gap is failure
How this was satisfactorily arrived at do not know
rode down TO the Gap yesterday for as near thereto
as I could get y and learned from our pickets that
the Yankees on this side had recrossed the river
Rhis 1 thought must be the case as saw the
effects ot>the food this side OF the river, opposite
the Gap where two Yankee regiments were lodged
The ground is hat for mile nearly, and the most Of
Il found under water. Our picketS were ''driYen
IN by it some COO yards, and indeed our mortar
battery was cut OF and has 10 be reached by boats
III tue iow-land, both above and below the Gap is
lOoded. If Dutch Gap should prove failure it will
cheve our liue on the lett considerably. The ar
,iery alOne-yill hold il. Indeed many Of the guns
he enemy should attempt 10 remove the distractions
below Howetts and should succeed in passing that
battery 1t the Yankees throw a force again across
Tue river after the subsistence OF the eshet it will
DC Prettygood evidence they have not abandoned
the Canal
\ stranger to ASS along. our lines here would
conclude We were very religious people. He would
ee commOdioUS churches every six or eight hnnd-
\ red yards. They are made of logs OF course. To
save labOE and heat they are three or four feet be
lOA tue surface Inc Congregation - hSu anu SOIl-
tortably seated. Prayer meetings are held twice,
generally, during the week, and preaching twice on
sabbath. Young Mems Christian Associations are
organized ] understand that the Association near
us attached 10 CDTses Brigade ~have invited many
distinguished gentlemen TO lecture before IT this
winter, and that there is prospect OF success in the
worthy enterprise. The great theme will be the
twin dutes-Piety ana Patriotism. These are noble
subjects. The world furnishes many splendid illus
raons tor the speakers, and they will be used with
effect / doubt not ThaI& God, in our own short
history eau furnish noble examples of both these
cardinal virtues. Our cause has been already bap-
tized with the blood of christian patriots. Among
thespeakers invited 10. address the Association we
may mention Drs. Burrows, Duncan, Hoge and NJ in.
negerode, and Generals Wise aud, PeHdleton also,
Hon. Messrs. Hartridge; Henry, G0Ode and others.
Eve have no doubt but that these gentlemen will fire
the hood of many man that is now lukewarin. We
feel not half as despOndsnt as the people Of your
tOwn-indeed, never hRve-but there are, doubtless,
men in the army who Would be profted By asNord OF
cheer. The christian man needs line upon line, and
so with the patriot. Not that he has any idea ofabau.
doniug his glorious work, but that will he do it with
more cheeTfulness, and consequently, more thor
oughly. do not pretend TO tell YOU how the whole
army feels but can say for myself that il has been
four years since commenced this work, and if /
know nv heart am more fully determined to give
nv ffe if need be- 10 il than ever before II seems
70 me this is perfectly natural feeling, We had
some respect for our enemy when the struggle first
began-aow we have nothing but unnitigated dis
gust. To my mind the word Yankee Is the per-
sonifcation of all that Is mean, lying, sneaking,
braggart and cowardly. A great nation making war
upon men not only inferior in numbers, but making
war upon old men and women, and upon boys and
girls Alas, how has the mighty fallen But must
conclude with an apology tor writing so much.
Yours,
ASoLpIRR.