Year: 1863

hoped to overpower rs by numerical superiority whel
accounts for their impetuous assault Around on'
of our batteries the gunnes threw aside their pistols
and drawing sabres fought like demons seventeen O.
them lying dead by the guns whom the carnage ceased


This is considered by many 70 b only raid Of th'
enemy yet it is thought by that it was The ad
vance guard Of Hooker's army, while others express
the opinion that the next effort for Richmond will b.
Wis Culpeper Whatever reasons may be given for th
opinion though there appears to be dninutiou IL
the forces opposite here appearances indicate that tht
enemy are n assng troops some distance mp the river
It is qui;e probable that diversion may be made in
that direction in order weaken at this point but
whatever the movement is or whenever it may occur
we place the most implicit confidence 10 the sagaciy Of
General Lee.


The health Of our troops is excellent, and the number
daily returning fron furOugh and hospital, produces
Derceptble increase in the ranks circumstances from
which great satisfaction is deducible.


The regulation rendering It incumbent upon the gov
eminent to furnish clothing kind to he soldiers, 4
having a happy effect Though not uniformed, Oul
troops are well clad, and well shod If proper care Il
taken By the government 70 make udleOus distributions
Of clothing and shoes in particular during the summeI
and fall respectable sized army will be secured which


neglect Of this preeauton viii be utterly lost to us





struggling after Us last summer under the plea o
bare feet viii be reioiced know that the government
in whom the subject alone rests, viii prevent resur
renee Of those disgracefu scenes.


II civil authorities patient, as uneomplaIn
ing as patriotic and as sssacriheing as the thrice no
be heroes who confronting the detested invader
what grand and ennobng spectacle wouldbe present.
ell TO the gaze Of the world It would then seem as
the good old days OF Lycurgus were uDon Us. Those
good old days when the body pol tic was wi6nowed by
the governmental machine, patriotism, and the chat
esst into the dunghin Of exc Grafton.


It is TOO stale a theme to boget much commlsera-
ton, yet Of the ons thing most needful there Il
no stop taken to mitigate its msanness. I sllude
80 the commissariat There is ne rebellion so hard
- control as the civil rebellion Of ths ain
terlss7of the body. If man be cold, exercise will
soon beget heat; If he be warm shade and air will
restore temperature; but II he be hungry, defy suy
philosophy to saflate him without food and if be does
not obtain that ensues which far too nesr
akin 70 death TO be comfortable


Our Congress has made no effective change in this
system and the consequ is that we do sufer and
have suffered long for lack Of proper nourishment It
no msterof surprise soldier the amount Of
eonlmissary stores that may happen to be captured
particularly mentioned for this Is the t0z Of a sol
oefs ielilty aha Is ianehtapie Iset mat tns IS
about the only method that rstons secured To be
sure Congress nsds aborve attempt to grant to ths
soldier i've dollars per month"; reeompenee for
deficiencies in rsons; but pray Of what avaEas that
when there IS nothing purchase. We could not feast
on the bills, to a certainty.


But the soldier seldom complains and never would, #
occasional attempt made to alleviate his suffer
ingH mitigate his tolls they anticipate but little
until the great goal is reached Bat the soldier IS the
salt that will preserve liberties If it is saved
due gard ard consideration OF their neeesatous
demands should be properly met


The qUagtsma-ter's departments conducted admira
bly, Throogh their efficiency all claims OF the soldier
on the government have been iquidatod and in short
with few exceptions we never felt greater hope and
our sky was brighter God grant that no cloud
may ever obscure the brilliant horizon. S.L.W.