Year: 1861

Su@ ~ d""A''o" " ~ ~
SOUTH CAROLINA, THUR
difficult and disagreeable: The Brigade,
however, with true soldierly bearing and for
titude accomplished it without appearing
to be jaded eveu-resting only ten minutes
on the way. With stern determination
to play the soldier, I sluug my kuapSack,
buckled on my military sccoutrements,
shouldered my gun-a very good riaed
musket taken from the Yankees on the
memorable 2lst and took my position in the
line of march it proved almost too great a
feat for my strength however, and With
great reluctance I had to Gown up" and
saddle my servant with my fighting imple-
ments, after which l ran the bog trot with
the swiftest The lot of the common sol.
dier is hard. And to see the willingness
and cheerfulness, with which gentlemen,
heretofore accustomed to ease and luxury
even, discharge the arduous duties and en-
dure the severe privations common to the
common soldier, alone can convey an ade-
quate conception of the appreciation by the
Southerner of that peerless boon for which
they are gallantly struggling-the liberty
and independence Of the South. 1 have
been in an attitude to see, to feel, and to
experience in some sort, and shall ever
remember with unmixed gratitude the man
who has shouldered his gun and gone forth
to battle in this sacred cause. ,.5.


It is truly gratifying to witness the con-
6dence evinced by the soldiers generally,
in their company and regimental officers.
This is peculiarly the case with the 9th
Regiment. Col. jenkins, by his assiduous
and kindly attention to the wants Of his
men, has elicited their universal esteem and
warm devotion. In reference to the 9Th,
to which I am attached I cannot speak with
the same degree of certainty, as I have but
slight acquaintance as yet with great
part of the regiment. Of the York Guards,
commanded by Captain John NJ. White,
I can do so ec cathedra of course, this un.
affected sterling and game officer, diligent'
ly aided by his energetic and gentlemanly
Lieutenants-Messrs. Crosby, Moore and
Love, never ceases in his watchful vigilance
after the welfare of his men. The 9th
Regiment considers itself under peculiar
obligation to President Davis for their eff
cient Colonel. This gentleman, though a
few weeks ago an entire stranger to almost
every man of the Regiment, has already
won the unbounded confidence of his entire
command. I became acquainted with him
the day after my arrival at Camp Pettus,
aud found him to be an unassuming, ur.
bane and rather an accomplished gentle.
man. He is quite an adept in military
matters, being an officer of the regular ar
my of the Confederate States, and having
been heretofore connected with the regular
army of the defunct United States. He ia
almost too much of srule and line" man
from education to please every volunteer
who has not yet become properly BRIDE
wised in war. speak thus particularly Of
the confidence and regard entertained by
the men for their leaders, because, from my
limited experience and observation, l am
persuaded of the paramount Importance Of
such relation between the officers and sol.
diers, not only on account of its direct bear.
ilg upon the cause of our beloved country,
but because it contributes materially to
the contentment and satisfaction of the sol.
dier and lightens the pressure Of the hard
ships and trials to which be is subjected in
a campaign.


The army is the place to learn something
of the human character, every variety Of
the genus homo is presented to the view on
a Single stage from the far seeing general
who is capable of welding thousands in q
belligerent operation with the same skill
and cool calculation that Morphy disposes
of his peices upon chess board, down tc
the swarm of diminutives who are proud tc
re1el in the distinction of being volunta'
ry uttache of some colonel. There is in
the region of the army pestiferous multi
tude of the latter ever seeking some ap.
poiutment or name of an Office with which
to Justify or rather authorize few strips
of brass upon their shoulders and stripes
Ton their limbs, no matter who pays the ex
penses, that they may appear to hold the
position of commandsnts. 1t is very ques
tionable if their services will ever compen
safe for their outlay. The priVates-the
bone and sinew of the army, when contras
ted with the wearers of spangled apparel


cannot attract any special notice of course
i Whether an immediate demonstration
against Washington or any other Federal
stronghold is contemplated by the authori


ties that be, or not, can only be q matter o.
conjecture. One in camp is entirely pre-
cluded from learning anything transpirine
without certain it is however, that for
ward movement of troops is now steadily
progressing towards the Potomac 1t haE
been rumored that the Licolnites are pre-


pairing to advance upon US again, if 80
Fairfax or perhaps Manassas again, viii
witness scene of blood and carnage com


pared with which the battle of the 2lst o.
July will shrink into iusignifcance! Fo1
we may we'll expect that they will make
desperate effort to retrieve their lost charac
ter for courage and prowess upon the battle
field. Whether the Yankees move or not
1 have very little doubt, but that a fight il
not far ahead of US. believe that the Po:
tomac opposes at present the onlyaimpedi
; ment to the prompt movement of the Con


fodorota fornes MARYLAND ia In he libera