Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05

to fulfil. and officers and men must I'M
press upon their minds that no wnvering
or Yiving way can possibly take place
during the coming struggle. THESE
very serious communications were re-
eeived by tho men with that firmness
and cheerfulness characteristic or SOUTH
ern soldiers. All of US were aware or
the dangers surrounding us-the Poto-
mac sweiled by the heavy rains Of the
last few days, impeding our retreat and
the enemy's forces much larger than
our decimated and almost exhausted re-
giments. During the afternoon silence
prevailed along the entire line, but about
O'Clock in the evening the enemy ad-
vanced to reconnoitre our position. Our
artillery kept strictly silent.
FULL OF ALARM.
July 12th.-The day was full OF alarm
and excitement. The news or the sur
render OF Vicksburg had reached us, and
a report was circulated that strong
Federal army was concentrating at Win
chester, Va, 10 cut off our retreat IL
was also stated that the Federal cavalry
had destroyed the pontoons, brought
I'D from Richmond for bridging
the Potomac, and that our sup
plies OF provisions and ammunition
were giving out. At o'clock in the af-
ternoon our brigade received orders, from
General Fitzhugh Lee, to proceed to our
left wing, between Hagerstown and WIZ
Transport, and there we remained Tor
the rest OF the day and the following
night ready for action.
July l3th.-At daybreak we marched to
the centre OF our line OF fortifications,
reaching on the right TO the Potomac
and on the left to the hills about one
toAo
10 dismount, leaving every fourth man In
charge OF the others horses. and we took
the places OF the infantry In the rifle
bitches. The retreat OF the army 10 Vir-
ginia had begun, the enemy hestatng TO
give battle
July l4th.-At 8 o'clock in the morning
Captain Norman instructed mo to call
In at about o'clock our outposts, but to
keep up the camp-fires and quietly with
draw TO Wililamsport, where l was TO
ford the Potomac. Everything was care
fully done according to orders. but with
out my knowing then that / was in COM
mand Of the last Confederate troops
leaving Maryland. General Fitzhugh Lee
was awaiting US on the bluffs on the
Virginia side with his division. and Fede-
raj cavalry and artillery appearing on the
Maryland side after / had safely crossed
the river, we marched on towards Mar
tinsburg.
A War Letter.
AS bearing directly upon the contents
OF the above. the republication OF the
following letter Is timely:
GENERAL JENKINSS BRIGADE.
Correspondence of Richmond Enquirer)
Near Harrisburg, Pa. June 20, 1863.
Messrs. EdItors,-Our last communica-
ton was dated Carlisle. Pa, June nth.
That day General Rhodes's command
came up. and General Jenkins's Brigade
passed three miles beyond and encamped
for the night.
The next morning we entered and oc-
cupied Mechanicsburg, seven miles dis
tant from Harr .sburg. In the evening we
advanced and harassed their pickets
few hours. and then fell back mile or
two and encamped. Next morning we
advanced again, and kept up lively picket
diminishing all day.
The Baltimore battery played upon the
enemy's outposts occasionally on two
roads. In the afternoon Jackson's Bat
tery-whlch belongs to General Jenlxins's
Brigade-came up and was placed in posi-
ton on the left. It worked admirably,
and. covered by IL, Lieutenant-ColOnel
Witcher. with his brave men, charged
and took the enemy's outpost. At the
same time. General Jenkins, with Captain
Moorman's company, under command of
Lieutenant Schuricht. acting as his es-
cort, made a reconnaissance on the right,
and obtained pretty fair view OF the
enemy's position. Notifications, and pro-
bable strength. and again fell back and
encamped on the same ground OF the
previous night.
This must be regarded as very daring
for such small force to hold I'm check
a large army. sent for the defence OF
their capital, so long.
The contemplated move Of the present
day Is not known 10 the writer. The
boys are faring sumptuously every day.
This is land OF plenty. and the citizens
express a willingness for them to avail
themselves OF their Inequalities for self
protection. More anon. ". X.