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Our Special Correspondence—Letter
ftvnftfio Echols Guards.
IT' iivJune 11, 1861.
Dear :—Last Sabbath eve
n ing the “ Echols’ Guards^^w^-
The village, aa you are aware, ia loca
ted upon a narrow valley, hemmed in
ewy si<lo by mountains, whose
m itjetm.heights and rugged cliffs are
decideiUy grand, picturesque, and su
perb- At first thought you would,
suppose that our situation was rather
critical, but not so. The Southern
troops have possession of the heights
on the Maryland side of the river.
Heavy batteries are planted there,
which command the plains on the
east. Should the enemy attempt to
pass through the gap of the mountain
at that point they will meet with a
reception too warm to be agreeable.
We have about twenty thousand troops
aVailable at that point, and it ia thought
by those that ought to know, that they
could repel fifty thousand men. But
should our men be compelled to retreat
they come under cover of elegant bat
teries, mounted upon the mountains
on‘the south, west and north-west.
The ferry boats have all been burnt,
leaving but one way of passage across
the* river, and that is a bridge filled
with powder, so arranged that it can
be blown up in an instant, should it
be necessary. There is one more gap
where the Yankees can approach, and
that is upon the north, where the Ohio
and Baltimore Railroad comes in.
Just here the Echols Guards have
the hdnor to be stationed as picket
guards. We feel highly complimen
ted, as our company is the first in the
regiment that has been stationed at a
post of danger. Col. BartOw well
knows that our Captain is the man to
place where danger threatens. lie is
decidedly the most military man, the
most efficient officer in the regiment.
If I am not mistaken, not only has he
the love and confidence of his own men,
but occupies quite an enviable position
among his associate officers in the reg
iment. Let not Merriwether be un
easy about her representation in the
contest, for as long as we have Capt.
C. W. Howard as our pilot, we are
.sure to wM laurels for our much-love^
(feJSwfcr or maemy wwmfi' two hours*
march of us. Every man is now on
the alert— all hands getting ready fpr
the rat killing, as Uncle Ben calls it.
Many think we are sure to be
in a few days, but as for me, I cannot
realize that we are even threatened. S’
cannot believe that the Federal au
thorities are so witless as to send afew
thousand men here to be butchered
like hogs in a slaughter pen. We have
a position that, is almost impregnable,
only by vastly overwhelming numbers,
and they certainly know it is futile to
attempt to retake the place.
We are yet without tent-cloths.
Capt. H., ordered them made at Win
chester, to be delivered next Satur
dijy. Have made out very well with
out them until now. We have nothing
to shelter us from the weather. If it
should rain between this and next
Saturday, we will be in a bad row for
stumps. It is true that we have some
oil cloths, made of two yards and a
half of homespun, painted black on
one side, for which we were required
to pay one dollar a piece in the city
of Richmond. (True value thirty
seven and a half cents!) Knap-sacks
made of the same material, but are of
such a shape and size as to be value
less in case of rain. Capt. H., has
brought into requisition his ntmost
energies to have us well provided for,
but he was like Abraham looking over
Sodom for good men.
Messrs. Slaughter and Eppinger
arrived at camps yesterday at one
o’clock. We gave them three long,
loud cheers. Would like to see a few
more of the same kind.
We were delighted to see the Week
ly—hope you continue to do well.
We were very much inclined to com
plain because we did not get the much
esteemed Weekly , and we were about
to make a fuss. All right now, but be
sure to remember.
We have just had the pleasure of
exploring where Jolqj Brown
had his guns concealed, but saw noth
ing of peculiar interest, only a blind
door that he had constructed for bet
ter concealment of his evil designs.
Our tramps up and down these
mountains on guard duty gives me a
most voracious appetite, and something
besides but meat and sea crackers
would be palatable. Rather a modest
hint—hope, however, our good friends
will not be slow in taking it. This
leaves all well, and on duty.
Very respectfully
(Written for the Georgia Weekly.)
TO THE PEOPLE OF MERRI
WETHER.
That the people of the Southern
-Confederacy will,. voluntarily, cheer
io sustain their Gov- f
tho prosecution of this
un'just and unholy war, forced upon it
by the Lincoln Government, no per
son South can doubt. But the best
and most efficient plan should bo adop
ted by the Government, fortheaccom-
of that desirable and im
portant object. The plan we should
adopt, is for the consideration and de
termination of the parties interested.
It is not a question as to the amount
of money we shall raise to sustain the
Government that protects our lives,
property, and altars, for every man
South will contribute to the last dollar
and the last drop of blood courses
his veins in sustaining his country,
and in repelling the foul, corrupt,
and despotic hordes that * have, or
may, invade our soil, but a question
how shall we raise it ? whether by di
rect tax, or by appropriating the pres
ent crop of cotton. It is a grave and
important question, submitted for the
consideration of every man, for all are
interested, and upon the decision of
which depends much of the future of
this Government. With these views I
now propose to make a few plain and
brief suggestions to the planters of
this county. It is well known to the
most of us, that the Confederate Con
gress prepared and submitted a plan
as follows: That the planter disposed
to appropriate a portion or all of his
cotton crop, required Jo p|a<£§ it
in the bands of his agent orwSfc
tor, to be sold at a certain
time, the nett proceeds of such a sale,
to be turned over to the
Government ;* and for the aniountYhuf
appropriated,* the planter to recgjve
Confederate Bonds, drawing eight,per
cent, per annum. I believe I hive
fairly stated the plan the
Government.
The plan thus proposed I think ad
mits of many fatal objections, to some
of*wh?ch I shall briefly alfude. First:
By shat plal we" will be compelled to
sell auacotton at a specified time; and
in co**w?ueqce of the present blocka
yjted plmiifjnn of the country, be for
onr markell. Secondly,
cotton thus sold, and
'the procSyls,turned f ,over to the Gov
ernment, wW be taken from the mar
ket, and cannot reton inline to ben
*elt the sale of the remainder of the
therefore our funds will soon be
exhausted and a large portion of our
cotton, remain upon the planters’
hands, as dead capital, beneftttipg
pjjjther the Government or hoHiffiri:
And, thirdly: It opens a wide fieljj fad
speculation. A few large monpy"-SoSm
ders, bankers, &«., can, and will, n<£j
doubt, control the price of
suit their own views; and, more(wer,|
it would be an easy rnatterfor our. Ch
ernies North Vy deposit morieyTU]9lpje
of our markets, and purchase our cot
ton at perhaps three or four cents, per
pound. I- have stated without com
ment a few of the many objections I
could urge against the plan ; but suf
fice it to say, that if we must ‘support
our Government with dollars and
cents a direct ad valorem tax would be
far preferable, for the reason that by
that system, every man would pay in
proportion to what he has. lam sat
isfied that the masses are opposed to
either plan; but, a3 good and loyal
citizens, will respond liberally to any
plan, however objectionable, that may
be permanently adopted to sustain the
Government that protects their lives,
liberty and property.
I will now proceed to submit a plan
which I think will amply supply all
the wants of the Government, and
which has, as far as I have been able
to confer with planters, (I have pre
sented this plan to over forty,) met
their hearty approbation and approval,
without a dissenting voice. It is as
follows: That -the Government shall
purchase the entire crop of cotton
through competent agents, appointed
for that purpose, and at a maximum
or price established by the Govern
ment, according to its quality, or
grade, to be adjudged by the agents
aforesaid; and for the several amounts
thus purchased shall issue to the plan
ter Confederate Bonds, drawing eight
per cent, as proposed, or Treasury
Notes without interest. All with
whom I have conversed prefer the
notes, as they will afford a better cir
culating medium, and give more gene
ral satisfaction. I think I have prop
erly stated the plan..proposed by the
Government to raise money to support
it during the war, offered some of the
principal objections to it, and have
proposed a plan which I think cannot,
and will not fail to receive not only
the hearty concurrence and endorse
ment of every cotton planter, who has
THE GEORGIA WEEKLY.
patriotism enough to contribute under
any plan, but will meet every demand
and want of the Government. It is a
question for the people tod determine
what method they wilUJfcpt to raise
money to support the P™****^'
Xet me ask the
Shall we remain neutrarih FffertWxr
to this important question," and there
by force the Government to assess a
direct tax? Shall we withhold our,
cotton from the Government, which Ij
think every person South admits, ifj
placed in its hands would amply sus
tain it, and present a formidable and
potent power in removing the Lincoln
blockade ? I hope not—l think not.
Then let us'lneet at an early day, and
confer with each other as to the best
mode to support our Gevernment.
We are all equally interested, and
shall all be alike affected by the plan
adopted.
If we wish to avert the evil of a di
rect tax, for such under the present
state of affairs, it will prove to be,
when there is but little money in the
country, and no foreign market for our
ootton to increase it,
all the difficulties f*
on account of negligence or delay in
this matter, all meet in Greenville,on
Saturday next, as'l understand there
is a meeting called for that purpose on
that day, and ns one man, and with
one voice, tender to the Confederate
Government pnr-entire crops of cotton,
if not..upon- the- folan' I have-proposed,
upon .sohw, other. Fpr I assure you
that to adoptany plan
bv which 'tKe GbVarnment will cpi rol
the cotton,-. aricL :werre’ceive; ithq> jest
possible cujferidyt." r.am'pum i
the truth -fr'heij. t Jhat'-w’s. aeyout
with a determinaterCßQliHifcn, -nqtwver
great the sacrifice of life property,
to maintain our freedott-:ajyl;indepen
dence. . Let .us then' peoyef Spiir- .faith
by our works, by respoiSdlnjj'Jiberally
so every requisition and- x apmC 3L
tftr Government., 3. ts.
tWho are Their Leaders’! 1 ( '4’i
Gen.'B. F. Butler;—This U;tp«
politician who was detected iii a dis
honest trick at the Charleston :i*Detno
jeratic Convention. When charged'by
young Smith, of California, with false
hood and villainy, the poltroon turned
pale,' trembled with fear, and was mute.
It is reported that he was disgracefully
intoxicated most of the time he com
manded in Baltimore. If he has any
military knowledge, he must have
picked it up while training the Massa
chusetts militia in former years. The
New York papers denounce him as a
humbug, and demand his recall.
Gen. Daniel E. SicKLEs.j-The
chjvalrous gentleman who winsC<l at
ru#n talk. A pot-house polftfcmn,
supported for years by a notorious
New York femaie, and mixed up, more
or less, in numerous disreputable
transactions.
Maj. William Mulltgan.—Fa
miliarly known as “Billy Mulligan.”
A noted cut-throat and gambler. Ex
pelled from California by the Vigilance
Committee'. Sentenced eight months
ago to Sihg Sing, for attempting to
mwrder a New York policeman. Af
ter serving five months of his time, he
was pardoned out,
-'.tm,. W; A. Bartlett. —Comman-
Mjer Hf the New York Naval Brigade—
Snex-Lieutenant of the United States
wnpry. He is the man whp sold bis
rjdaughter ter the Cuban Senor
11/viido, and got up that piece of uhHCSSJ?
brazen vulgarity known as the
“Diamond Wedding.” His eolored
son-in-law presented him with a house
in Fourteenth street, upon the rent of
which he has latterly managed to live.
Col. Billy W'iiisbN,-^An ex-Al
derman Sixth YYaj-d of New
York; aliqUorretailer and tap room
politician; uneducated, brutal and
vulgar, like his Associates. He carries
on his shoulders a red, pimply, bloat
ed face. He commands a regiment
of pickpockets, burglars and hen-roost
thieves.
Col. Ned Buntline.—Ned’s real
name is E. Z. C. Judson. He was
sufficiently notorious, several years
ago, as the editor of an obscene publi
cation in New York, and has contribu
ted a number of flash novels J-frf
press. His forte seems to be “ biga
my.” Numerous females, some of
them evidently virtuous women,
throughout the "North, claim him for
their legal spouse. He has offered a
regiment to Lincoln.
Mas. Ben. Peerlt Poore.—A
Washington newspaper correspondent.
He lived in Athens, Ga., several years
ago, and was obliged to leave for giv
ing a negro ball in which he mingled
freely with negroes. At the time of
his departure he was Treasurer of the
Athens Lyceum, and carried off the
funds of the Society with him, besides
other sums borrowed from the citizens.
Lieitt. Pendergrast, op the 71st
New York Regiment.—The gallant
Lieutenant is, when at home, a “nig
ger* minstrel,” and plays on the bamo
at a Broadway Concert SaloOfi. fins
smutted face and wooly wig have been
the admiration of many a Bowery rough
and country gawky in times gone by.
Brigadier-General Pierce.—The
origin of this Massachusetts military
genius is involved in obscurity. He
suddenly burst upon the affrighted vis
ion of the Virginians at Hampton a
few days ago, and already his soldiers
accuse him of cowardice and utter in
competency, and ask that he may be
sent back to Boston. —Charleston Cou
rier.
Sjie (Kwrjjw fjlMHtj.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26.
THE WAR#
war,'it is generally thought, is
progressing slowly, and the real of ru
mored evacuation of Harper s Ferry
wauses much regret at the South. Ihis
prises from a vague fear that our
droops have been forced to retreat, and
especially from the general yet erro
neous belief that a retreat indicates
real or apprehended defeat. It is fol
ly for those so remote from the field
to speculate upon the matter. We
have brave troops in the field, men
who prefer death to defeat, and who
are commanded by able and experi
enced officers, and we, the mere look
ers-on of the tragedy must wait with
patience, and hope for the best.- ffhus
far, whenever our soldiers hßve ex
changed shots with the foe, th#
cause of the South has advanced, and
our victory at Great Bethel has had a
tremendous effect throughout Free
soildom.
One thing is certain—there must
soon be»a fearful battle, in which the
combatants will be numbered by tens
of thousands. This great crisis of the
struggle may not occur until after the
meeting of the Washington Congress
of July the 4th, but .that day is very
near. Great fears are-fentertained at
Washington lest Gen.'BEAUREGARD is
advancing on that city, and that Scott
will find more than his match in the
conqueror of Sumter. Even •Phila
delphia trembles,, for if. .ifie. F-ederal
city falls into Southern hands it will
not be very long- .before ' legibns 'of
Marylanders,' badked by immense for
ces from the seceded‘States, will pour
into wipe out the in
sults that have humbled, but notsub
dued, the haughty Baltimoreans.'
The great North west is cooling
down from its sudden war-fever, and
with the turbulent spirit of the dead
Douglas departed much of the war
like ardor of the men of the West.
Conflicting rumors from powerful
and aroused Missouri prove that she
has leaped her giant bulk into the
arena, and is resolved to join her fu
with thwt of the Confederate
WRYI of thc"v|st. timtory falling un
dernhe name of the Indian Territory,
has ranged with the Southern Repub
lic. -
The working people of the North
are becoming restless, and will soon
demand the recognition and peaceful
secession of our country, and from
Northern extracts we learn that even
in the city of New York the main de
pendence of the Abolition administra
tion for food for Southern rifles, the
laboring classes, now laborless, se
cretly moving against the tter. Jr
Lincoln grows appalled Eefororthe
mighty commotion he has caused, and
intends to ask for 200,000,06.0 of dol
lars and 500,000 men to meet' the for
midable array of the fiery and, so far,
victorious South. Bjf cannot get men
enough, nor money enough to;conquer
a single State, and we have every rea
son to believe thpt tkjs struggle is fast
approaching its Climdft, whence peace
and independence arise.
MERRIWETHER SPRINGS.
On Saturday last we paid a visit
to the Chalybeate Springs, and on
our way took a glance at the splendid
establishment of jovial Col. Mustian,
proprietor of the Warm Spings.
Os course the hearty Colonel treat
ed us in the most hospitable style, and
we regret that our stay was too brief
to enable us to examine more tho
roughly the many attractions of the
Warm Springs, but what we saw war
rants us in saying that a more agree
able or attractive summer retreat can
not be found in the South.
Continuing our tour we arrived at
the Chalybeate Springs just in time
to see Dr. Leitner, the gorgeously
bearded and hospitable proprietor,
hoist a splendid Confederate flag. The
pole is eighty-four feet in height, and
as the stars and bars reached the
truck three hearty cheers were given
for the ensign'df the Southern Re
public.
The Chalybeate Springs are too
famous to need any publicity from our
pen. We Were surprised, however, to
find so complete and well furnished a
resort for those who desire health or
pleasure, or both. We assure our
readers that they will find everything
there that is set forth in Dr. Leit
her’s advertisement, to which we call
especial attention. .
It is worth a ride of twenty miles
to experience the luxury of the doc
tor’s plunge-bath—which is a true
fountain of youth, from which we
emerged feeling five years younger,
and able to devour a small elephant.
Aware of this peculiarity of his baths
j the doctor, himself a proof of good
living, spreads a table fully adequate
to gratify the app«?fite of a gourmand,
a glutton, or an epicure.
At night the Springs are lighted
by gas, which is made upon the prem
ises, from pine, and is a clear, steady
and brilliantly burning gas.
The medicinal qualities of the water
are of the highest order, and to us
tasted much like Congress water
without its sparkling properties.
When the South can boast of such
Springs as the Ciiaybeate, the Warm,
and the White Sulphur, it seems
strange indeed that so many wealthy,
but not healthy Southerners should
have followed a ruinous fashion, and
lavished their means upon Northern
sharpers. Our dbunty should claim
the titl? of County of Springs.
During the afternon many citizens
of the vicinity, who had assembled by
appointment, convened near the Chaly
beate fountain and were addressed, in
an eloquent and able manner, by Judge
Bulloch, of Harris county. The
purpose of the speech was to enroll
volunteers for the war, and we were
told that there was good reason to be
lieve that a company would soon be
made up.
Our thanks are herewith returned
to Dr. Leitner and his polite right
hand man, Mr. Bush, for the kindness
we experienced at the Chalybeate
Sptjngs, and we warmly recommend
them to the patronage of our readers.
the attention of onr
readers to the advertisement of the
Southern, Field J- Fireside , and The
Constitutionalist, of Augusta, publish
ed ,bxjP<*feok MES Gardner.
The Field Fireside is the best
ever published in the
South, and employs much of the first
talent of our Southern authors. Its
style and tone are purely and thor
oughly Southern, and its readers are
never disappointed with its chaste, yet
energetic, firm, yet vivrffcious contents,
no matter how varied or fastidious
theil’. taste maybe. should be upon
the centre table of every drawing
rg^^^merely
it is taking the lead peri
odical Agktn, it »a rfost
valuable vaae mecum for the agricul
turist aqjJ gardener. , Its typograph
ical merit is first class, and in each
of its three departments of Agricul
ture, Horticulture and Literature, the
Field $. Fireside has no equal in
American , .
In these troublous and exciting tia#p
nojjaaSnshould be without a daily p%
for late and reliable news,
and brilliant editorials the Constitu
tionalist deserves universal support.
Terms per annum of the Field <j-
Fireside , $2 in advance. Terms of
Daily Constitutionalist, $6 per annum
in advance. Tri Weekly Constitu
tionalist, $4 per annum in advance.
Change.
The President of the Greenville
Masonic Female College herewith an
nounces, that the semi annual Exhib
ition of the College will take place on
Wednesday, the 3d of July, instead of
on Thursday the 4th.
In connection with this we announce
that Capt. Wi. T. Revill’s Male
Academy will give a literary and rhet
orical exhibition at the same place,
the Methodist Church, on Thursday
the 4th inst.
We hope both exhibitions will be
well attended.
Capt. has lost eleven of
his most, and talented stu
dents." Se*n haying joined Capt.
Harris’ Company, this week,., and
four having gone on to Virginia With
the Echols Guards.
Rain.!
Although everybody iii this vicinity
knows it, we are so delighted thereat,
that we publish the fact. It rained
copiously, salubriously, gloriously, al
most ferociously on Monday afternoon.
Many visages longer than your arm
on Monday morning, went to sleep
Monday night shortened amazingly,
and grinning like “ chiz-cats.” That
rain is worth thousands of dollars to
oar county hereabouts.
The Enterprise.
We have received two numbers of
the Harris County Enterprise, and
beg to apologize to Mr. Moorefield,
its able editor, for not having made an
exchange sooner. We hear much of
the abilities and high character of
Mr. Moorefield, and pronounce Us
paper to be a credit to his county.
Rumor.
As we go to press comes a rumor
of another great battle at Great Bethel,
in According to report,
tne federalists were routed, 4,000
killad and wounded, Gen. Butler,
th commander, with 12,000 stand
of arms, and many hundred men cap
tured. Our loss is stated at from 1200
to 1600 killed and wounded. Os the
truth of this we can say nothing, fur
ther than, that there is great cause to
believe it fact, or at least the shadow
of fact. 4
The opposing armies were so near each
other at last accounts that a speedy
battle was considered inevitable,
we are inclined to* think that Butler
has attempted to wipe out the-disgrace
of the late defeat at the same place.
But the air is filled with rumors, and we
advise our readers to believe none of
them until thrice confirmed. Another .
rumor, telegraphic, reports that Ma
ryland has seceded. ‘ v -
jggf” By false reading we made an
error in our last issue, in publishing
the list of names of the ladies who sub
scribed for a flag for the Merriioether
Volunteers. For Mrs. Clark Will
iams we should have inserted the name
of Mrs. John W. Williams, to whom
we apologize for the error.
And, also, for Miss Lilly Will
iams we should have inserted the name
of Miss Annie Williams. Excuse
us this time. We didn’t do it on pur
pose-—in fact we followed copy,
g@“ Let every cotton planter
among our readers carefully peruse the
able article of Judge «foliN Hussey,
upon the all important subject of
pledging the cotton crop of our Gov
ernment.
Not only our brave warriors will
fight for us, but our soil itself rears its
potent shield, white as snow, impene
trable as ebony, from its faithful
bosom for our defence. Let no man
spurn the arms God vouchsafes.
ggp Read the advertisement of R.
11. Richards, Bookseller and Sta
tioners, of La Grange. You will per
ceive that he is ready to. supply a
growing want of our warlike communi
ty. His vicinity is; quite boisterous
him and abate the rtfeiffiftice. **
We extend our selirty thanks to
friefid Richards for that copy of
Hardee s Tactics , and when rnilitia-ous
will read up.
We have received the 9th
number of Barton’s able magazine,
The Southern Teacher. This period
ical will be found to equal anything of
the kind published anywhere, and
should be well sustained. Price, $2
per annnm, in advance. Published in
Montgomery, Ala., by Prof. W. S.
Barton.
-A 1 ' ■
A society of ladies, for ma
king garments for our volunteers, has
been formed at the Chalybeate
Springs, and now we think,
members. We hope to pub
lish a list of the officers, and a full
statement of the designs of the society
in our next issue.
ggy* We have the pleasure to place
another interesting letter before our
readers, from our special correspon
dent of the Echols Guards. We
are unable to state where this fine
company now is, 'most probably with
Gen. JoHNSTON%division,. opposed to
the Ohio troops. . ;
We are pleased learn that
our friend, Lieut. T. A. Reeves, is
succeeding rapidly in making up his
company, to take the field" as soon as
possible after its ranks are full.
Thirty-five names are down upon his
list, and he hopes to get a hundred.
..g@f” For much of our telegraphic
news we are indebtedSto that excel
lent and reliable paper, Gie Montgom
ery Advertiser. The Atlanta Confed
eracy wad. Commonwealth will please
accept our thanks, also.
Those who desire to purchase
land, will do well to read the adver
tisement of Mr. Bishop Cone, and in
quire more partibfilarly into the mat
ter, before purchasing elsewhere.
ggp We call the serious attention
of every man in thftjountv to the no
tice of the Honorable Inferior Court.
Prompt and liberal action shouM be
taken in the matter.
:x—.
jggy- The Jackson Blues, Capt.
W. T. Harris
into camps ” on Momky morning, to
become inured to camp life and dis
cipline.