Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-11-13
NINETY-FlRST lNSTALLMENT.
Virainia Correspondence.

Virginia Correspondence.
Camp near Fairfax, Va, 5th Regiment,
S. c. ", Sept. l, 1861.
Dear Enquirer: Our Corporal be-
disqualified by a protracted illness
from supplying your readers with his
usual rich and racy effusions, l have
deemed it not improper to ask space III
your columns for a brief and hurried
communication. l know the good peo-
pie Of "old York" feel a deep and anx-
ious solicitation for the welfare OF
their friends in Virginia, who have
sacrificed the sweet endearments OF
home for the hardships Of the camp,
and the turmoil of the battlefield. l
am sure they will peruse with eager
interest anything redounding to theii
credit or relating in anywise to their
movements, though emanating from
the pen of an inexperienced writer.
The usual dullness and monotony,
characterlzing camp life was suddenly
dispelled some weeks since by the or
der to march in twenty minutes. Soon
all was hustle and preparation, and
such inquiries as these seemed to be
shadowed from the countenance of all
Where in the world are we going?
Has the long expected moment arrived,
when as victors We shall enter the city
of Washington? These and such like
questions, could not, Of course, be an
swered for no one knew, and the only
consolation left was that we would
know on arriving at our point of desti-
nation Determination and courage
seemed mirrored on each manly brow
and all seemed ready to meet the i'm
pending crisis, whatever it might be.
By nine o'clock p. m, we were on the
march to-we knew not where. The
expedition was commanded by our
gallant Colonel Jenkins, and consisted
of our regiment Of infantry, 9Th S. C.,
three pieces of the famous Washington
artillery and two companies Of Vir-
ginia cavalry. The object seems to
have been to rout q party Of Hessians
on the Maryland side of the Potomac
at Great Falls, about twenty miles
from our camp. 1t was attended with
much hazard, required extreme secre-
cy and caution, and the utmost dis
patch. We arrived at the point de-
signated about 7 o'clock a. m, and the
artillery having been properly placed
in position, opened we'll directed fire
which told with deadly effect l was
some distance below on the river as
sisting in guarding a ferry and at the
second discharge could distinctly hear
the piteous groans and wailing Of these
deluded wretches, evidently showing
that somebody was hurt" These
compliments from our ritled cannon
soon proving too warm for their taste,
they were seen scampering away in
good order" of course. They were
completely routed and it has been as
certained that about fifty were killed.
All the purposes Of the expedition hav-
ing been thus successfully accomplish
ed, we commenced our return to camp.
l am told the firing could be distinctly
heard in Washington, and that the most
intense excitement prevailed in this
modern bable. Doubtless the "Baboon'
thought the hour of retribution had at
length arrived. l suspect his Jack
sonian principals began to desert him,
and it maybe his excited imagination
had already pictured the fearful
prophetic handwriting on the wall
thou art weighed in the balance and
found wanting" The detachment of
the Washington under Lieut.. Squires,
which had already won fadeless laur-
els in the affairs Of the 18th and 21st
of July did not, am sure, tarnish them
in this engagement. The conduct of
our troops cannot be too highly COM
mended. Though not engaged with
the enemy the patience and submis-
sion with which they rendered the ia
tigue of this truly extraordinary march
is worthy of all praise. On our return
to camp we had accomplished march
of forty miles in twenty hours, without
sleep or rest, and yet not murmur or
complaint was heard. Although but
the volunteers Of yesterday they have
the spirit of veterans, and we have no
fear that such men led by our gallant
and beloved colonel, will not march
ever to victory and honor.
Our camp has been comparatively
quiet since until few moments ago,
when we again received marching or
ders to what point and for what pur-
pose we know not. The purpose and
plans Of our generals are of course,
matters of conjecture. We give our
selves very little uneasiness, however,
on this score, for having the utmost
confidence in their ability and judg-
ment, are eager and anxious to follow
where they lead. We must believe,
however, that a fierce and bloody con-
test is at hand and when it does come
l have no fear but that we will knock
the splendid affair at Fort Hatteras
into a cooked hat"
The health of our troops is rapidly
improving, and our ranks fast filling
up. We have suffered very much from
measles but are about through. Your
correspondent was himself victim,
but was so well cared for by the ladies
Of a neighboring village as to believe
that a second crop would not be
very great misfortune. l am glad of
the opportunity to record my high ap-
probation Of the noble and patriotic
conduct of the ladies Of Virginia. They
seem to be absorbed entirely in ad-
ministering to the necessities of our
sick soldiery and to vie with each 9TH
er in acts Of kindness and charity. l
know that many a grateful heart will
hold them in lasting remembrance.
had the pleasure some time since
in company of few friends of paying
a visit to Munston's Hill q point about