The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-22

Correspondence oil the Richmond Dispatch.

LOUISA COUNTY, VA, August q, 1866.
Messrs. Editors,-A few days since
left your rapidly growing and beautiful
city, and after three hours ride on the
Central railroad, found myself amongst
the hospitablc citizens Of Louisa. To find
out how much so they are, You should
yourself embrace the opportunity they are
ever offering to extend TO you the cordial
welcome Of the oldcn time. In coming
thithcr you cannot fail, even at this late
date, when smiling peace" is supposed
to reign over the land, to sec in charrcd
timber and destroyed dwellings evidence
of the Yankee mode of restoring concord
and amity between the North and South.
Happily, the untiring cXcrtions Of ii. ID.
Whitcomb, Esq, superintendent OF the
road, has Sutiiccd in 4 great measure to
oblucratc nearly all the vandalism that in
tcricrcd with the practical working of that
important thoroughfarc, but it will be u
long time before the names of some OF the
heroes OF Yankee idolatry cease to inspire
the popular hatred and contempt for acts
of brigandage and wanton oppression. 1t
is not wonderful therefore that the people
regard the Frcedmen's Bureau as an OPP
pressive nuisance.
The crops OF corn and tobacco bid fair
to be very good. The wheat crop was a
failure. Some who planted one hundred
bushels did not get one in return; the
cold weather killed it. The darkies have
caused loss to some farmers, being as Gin
stable as water; however, you can often
see good field Of tobacco-a sight hid
from our eyes during war times.
A haii-storm, with stones of reported
fabulous size, Il few days ago destroyed
most of the tobacco crop of Mrs. Whit
lock and Messrs. S. Goodwin and n. W.
Harris, living near Fredcricks Hall. The
latter cut oil the broken leaves and stems,
and relies on vigorous growth of "suck-
ers"-a parasite that is more prolific on the
tobacco plant than any other | know of,
and will make as big leaves if allowed TO
vegctate.
There was lately a sale of lots at Frede-
ricks Hall. The improvements contem-
plated embrace dwelling houses, shops,
factories, and church. The large to-
bacco factory located here, owned by n.
W. Harris, ESD, was destroyed by Sheri-
dams raiders during the war, with all its
contents. 4 number of distilleries are
located near here. The farmers can make
no apple or peach brandy this year, the
frost having killed all the fruit.
The farmers seem to be in very good
spirits considering all things. Though the
operations of the war "ruined," pccu-
niarily, hundreds of them, have seen none
who were in despair. Like Henry Clay s
to "pick their flint and try again.
A ..;rr rn,.iyal hac in
progress all the week at Elk Creek Baptist
Meeting house. Rev. Mcssrs. Haley, Harris,
Hatcher, and Allen ofiiciated. The last
named (Littlebury W. is we'll known to
your citizens as an eloquent cxpoundcr OF
the peculiar tcnets OF his denomination.
He is also known to most Of Lees army us
a Confederate colonel Of approved gal
lantry. His touching appeals to the sun
burnt boys who had so often followed the
ring of his clarion voice through the shock
Of battle were eloquently delivered, and
not without effect. The "lads and lassics,
however, were indisposcd to enrol them
selves extensively as "soldicrS Of the
Cross" owing to the fact that Il big picnic
and ball was to come Off at Goodwin's fac
tory on the 18th, and they wanted TO 60.
The meeting closed, finding u number OF
sinners having been happily converted.
The picnic and ball came off on the
18th instant, and was intended TO be and
was the event of the season. The hearts
of many of the fair demoiselles had palpi-
tated for weeks in anticipation of the oc-
casion; nor were the young gentlemen
without pleaSurable emotions in reference
to the same event. The managers were
Messrs. W. G. 7. Nelson Qormcr member
Of the House of Delcgates), DIR. l.. S. Pen
dleton, and others. The guests commenced
arriving by Ii o'clock A. NJ, and were re-
ceived by the committee Of arrangements.
They proceeded to enjoy themselves as
fancy might suggest. BY ! o'clock the
musicians were in position-the impa-
thence of the dcvotees of Terpsichore
brooking no further delay from this time,
save the intervals employed in eating, till
the sun set in the west and rose again in
the east, dancing was kept up.
The havoc made in the bosoms of the
susceptible of my own sex ! shall not
attempt to describe. Att o'clock at
night bevy of youth, beauty, and inno-
cence was presented to the eyes of the
behoiders; among the ladies recognized by
your correspondent were Misses Sallie NJ.
Z: aud Alice ", of Hanover county; Sa.
rah w., Of Baltimore, Ia niece of your
own General W., G. S. Al; Julia D. W.,
Dora g., Betty IL. e., Mary Ellen c., Sal
he J.. D., TeAasia C. D., the Misses A.
Ellen IL. and Addic 0. II. these latter
h'ing IN the vicinity. There were over
sixty ladies present, comprising selection
Of beauty, grace, intelligence, and refine
ment rarely ii ever equalled-certa;nlv
never surpassed even in Virginia, the
birthplace Of purity.
Each fsirer than any lily e'er.een.
kobod IN gentleness, yes, virtues queen ;"
may each heart BIO Ger shielded from SORROW !,
dars,
And never feel tho pain Of blighted hearts.
Being averse to crowds, only appeared
like the intermittent fever, at stated peri
DDS, to observe how the ball was progress.
Ing the balance Of my time was spent in
q carriRge-the local habitation for the