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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.