The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-06

Gordon, and on the approach of any one
unconnected with them, the signal is |
passed; in an instant, ranks, regular and
orderly as military training can make
them, collapse and fall into disorder,
football is thrown up, or they present
the appearance of being what the out
posts tell the inquirer they are, a party
of men engaged at a goaling match.
Sunday after Sunday during the present
summer, this has been going on in the
suburbs of the city. In the South lib
critics especially appear to be most of
their favorite haunts. Frankfield, Lee
hena, and places in that locality, are fire.
ouently visited by them. The roads
there are not much frequented on Sun
day, and the ground is such as to favOi
the moderate degree of secrecy the
brotherhood seem to consider necessary
They are constantly seen assembling
and drilling.
Yesterday fortnight gentleman saw
immense crowds of men going from diff
ferent sides of the country along the
roads converging at point near Frank
field. He inquired where all the people
were going to, and was told goaling
match was to be held there. He watched
them and soon saw them assembling in
dense mass in a large field. Some one
from among them mounted on an emil
hence and apparently addressed the
others in a speech. When he had con-
cluded he was succeeded by another and
another, and afterseveral other addresses
had been delivered, the whole mass oil
people fell into ranks and were put
through series of military movements
by several commanders. They then
marched out of the field i'm columns of
sections, and the gentleman timing
them found that two hours elapsed from
| the time the first rank passed out of the
| field till the last left it. Yesterday week
| a body of about 200 young men were
| seen at Ardarastig at drill. Seeing they
were observed by man whom most OF
them knew to be Protestant, and con-
sequently not very favorable to their
views, they first endeavOred to induce
him to become a member, and, falling
| in that, they suggested that he would
| show his wisdom and prudence, and con
suit his personal safety and well-beint
by keeping his mind to himself on tn
subject. I1n- I.v - .
| That locality seems to be fayorit
rendezvous with the brethren. The
congregate there at dusk almost ever
, evening in parties varying from 40
i 200, and not unfrequently at nigl
r people in their beds can hear the tram
! of large numbers of men marching pa
their houses. Another of their favOrit
!, review fields is at Lehena, where abou
three weeks ago 800 of them, in trainin
for camp life, bivouacked all night. o.
. the following Sunday about 500 assem-
!, bled in a field near the same place ant
spent the day in drill In the neighbor
hood of Middleton and Castle-marty
every Sunday large forces muster in tn
/ same way and for the same purpose, an
/, occasionally encamp in the open air a
= night. AT the drill the management {
! the rifle and bayonet is taught by stick
o extemporized for arms. Itis not to |
: supposed from this fact that the brothe
hood are destitute of firearms, for thu
J. boast of the possession of large stores
d rifles and ammunition ready for u
i when the proper time arrives. The drl
n instructors are stated TO be pensione
+, and militiamen, who are paid for the
II services