Year: 1863

lFRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
RMY con R e PONDE NCE.


CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA,


March 81, 1868.


What tickle climate! Yesterday was bright.
beautiful, almost balmy spring day this morning
we have snow in abundance.


How great and sudden even are life's changes. To.
day may have clouds and tears-to-morrow. per
haps, sunshine and smiles


Such, too, is life awhile we play


Enamored of each fragile flower,


And wrapt in hopes bright vision stay


The short lived hour"


Two regiments of brigade have just started out
to picket on our lines above the city and opposite
Falmouth. 'Tis severe time for those who are
obliged TO be on post; but men are heroes-thcy
are willing to undergo any amount of prvation and
suffering TOR the cause Of bleeding and struggling
country. All is involved in the fearful ssue-the
question whether we are to remain freemen, or de-
scend into abect slaves Of miserable and contempt
ible tyrant is now before We must conquer or
die. We had


Better be,
Where the extinguished Spartan


Still is free


IN his proud charnel OF Thermopale,"
than yield an iota to arrogant and vulgar foe. We
must do our duty" trust in God and keep our pow
der dry" and all will yet be we'll There is, however.
great deal involved in the idea of doing our duty.
Is it enough that have brave selfsacrcng devoted
patriot soldiers in the field, with accomplished and
sklllul officers to command? Is it enough yet that
rivers of lifes crimson tide has flowed and must con-
tnue to flow, and that the wall of sorrow from the
stricken mother wife and orphan around ten thousand
hoart shall
the of tho Lord of Sabboath7 Is it enough that
the women of our land-may God forever bless them
should have made such sacrifices of personal ease and
comfort; ready to part with ALL life ITSELF rather
than have conquered, that the slightest stain
should rest upon her vestal purity inflicted by the
hand OF brutal foe? Is it enough that every pious
heart is deeply concerned for beloved land and
that every nerve is strained for it's defence? Nay,
verify there is something more yet to be done Pub
lie opinion at homo must put down the inordnae
greed of gain, which seems to have possessed the
minds of so many, who arc absolutely growing rich
in specutin3 upon the 1tsortunes of poo, bleeding
country.


know Of nothing likely to defeat us in the accom-
pishment of ourindependence except STARVATION; nor
can make up my mind to believe that such thing
Is probable-yet it is possible. Can our planters the
very bone and sinew Of the land allow themselves to
come to the conclusion that for the sake OF making
little more cotton they will the risk of pering
if not e'troying all prospect of success in accom-
plishing our independence 1t is poor and migrate
full reflection for those who have perlled ALL and sac
rifced everything Tor their country, to know that
many of those left behind them, only concerned to
see how much they can make out of the and mis-
fortunes Of others. envy no man his reflections
ultimately ail-which Heaven forbid-the jus; reward
awaiting him, Of on offended and outraged people.
We would rather have the whole class of greedy,
avarcous spectators in the field armed against us,
than where they are absorbing all that comes within
their reach


They are, it possible worse than Lincoln and his
miserable hirelings far the material and financial
prosperity of the Cenfederacy is concerned-it is an
enemy in the rear far than the one which con-
fronts u.s. The man VINO now depreciates tho curren-
cy Of country and turns deaf ear to the appeals
of reason and humanity, and looks to self alone is
traitor of the deepest dye and deserves a traitors
doom.


But will turn to something better and more hope
fnl. Friday last, the day appointed by our President
for fasting, humiliation and prayer, was very gene
rally observed by the soldiers so far at least my
observations extended.


Services were held in the morning, afternoon and
at night by the chaplains of the 18th and I'd Reg
ments.


o1yaro inc ftap audi T