Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1915-05-14
AN ECHO OF THE COS

newspaper publish u ut TaZewell, by
the late Titus V. Williams, will be OF
interest. Mr.. Williams was grad.
uate of V. Nj. l., and taught military
school in this town about 1858. Aftei
the war he went west, and practiced
medicine until about ten years ago
when he died ut Trenton, Mo.
Major Jas. p. Whitman, II pupil and
comrade of Mr.. Williams, gives us the
following information:
L. V. Williams was Captain of Com
pay X, 45th Virginia Infantry Mt the
beginning of hostilities, but did not
serve in that capacity only for short
time. He was commissioned Major
of the 37th Infantry, Stonewall Jack
sons old brigade, and left the 45th
Regiment at Wytheville in May, 1861
to accept the appointment of Colonel
of the regiment, for gallantry and
courage shown on the field of battle.
Greenbrier River,
August rs, 1861.
Editor Southwestern Times:
Dear Sir: After my best respects,
| proceed now to give you in my inn
perfect way, II brief recital of what
am now doing and expect to do for
the next few days. We are situated
now between two very large noun
tains, (The Allegheny and Cheat on
the banks of the Greenbrier River, a
stream, the beauty of which is unsur-
passed in the mountains of Virginia.
This portion of our glorious old State
yields n. rich abundance for our brave
and patriotic sons of the South, who
have bid farewell their quiet and hap
Ply homes for the purpose of driving
back the vile usurpers who dare desc
crate the sacredness of our peaceful
mountain homes. We are at present
in sight of the enemy's camp, which
seems to be large enough to accommo-
date considerable numoer of soldiers.
but we have no opportunity of judg-
ing their true strength. not being able
to count their tents and not knowing
the number they consign to n tent.
This, however, is II matter of small
purport, as we have full confidence
IN our brave boys, who take no cogni-
zance of numbers, when they are call
ed upon to act, but, like the infatuated
terrier, hangs on until the unfor-
tunate victim falls helpless from their
grasp. Providence seems to reveal
himself to us in the form of his most
desired blessings, such as good health,
happy and cheerful hearts, a content
ed mind, and last, but not least, full
comprehension of the glorious cause
in which we are enlisted, and n fixed
determination, if called to act, to bear
from the field the trophies of vic
tory, or if it should be the will of kind
Providence that we chould fall, calmly
and willingly to resign our bodies to
the field, as living monuments of our
hatred to tyranny, our devotion and
fidelity to the rights, the institutions.
and the liberties Of n free people.
But do not start out to discuss
our reasons for being here, object is
simply to tell you something of the
"Tazewell Boys."We are getting along
finely, becoming quite useful to our
country and ourselves. AS you have
learned before this time, this country
is unsurpassed for beef, wheat, corn,
and Irish potatoes, great amuont of
which would certainly spoil if it was
not for the trio know as the Majors
mess. l feel assured you would be
amazed if you could walk up some
time and see the innumerablc host of
biscuits prepared for three individ-
uals. But just here I feel that
would prove recreant if did not paw
due tribute to our esteemed cook lin
the biscuit line) who rolls I'D his
sleeves and pitches right into the flour
like n good fellow and in a few min
utes it is all mashed up into lump
and ready for the oven. Summing it
up in a few words ! would recoms
mend Mr.. Henry Kelly to any young
ladies of Tazewen, more especially to
those who are fond of good biscuits.
The next Twill notice is great long
fellow, Governor Smythe) damaged
considerably by the sun, and who
seems to pride himself considerably
on his pancakes, formerly known here
as Flap Jacks, but as this is not a
favorite dish in the mess l will pass
it by and give my good old friend,
Billy, the credit of being perfect
conoiseur In the meat line. He, too,
would be a priceless gem for some
fair damsel who would be willing to
soil her delicate little hands in the
strong essence of old Ned. The third
and last character to mention in that
demolishing trio is rough looking
old coon who seems to pride himself
solely on his horse and whisekers as
his time is completely taken up in
feeding the one or pulling the other
But | would not do him justice if /
did not give him credit for his super
extra Coffee. think the Major is a
pretty good chance for some lady who
expects to do her own cooking.
l expect you are weary, I must
close and finish at another time.
Yours truly,
v. T.,