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Our Special Correspondence Letter ' from the Eehols Guards. Winchester, Va., June 19,1861. Dear Weekly : Last Saturday morning the entire brigade quartered at Harper’s Ferry, under command of Gen. Johnson, was ordered to march to where, and for what, no one knew, save Johnson himself ; a mode of proceedure that I cannot by any means applaud. It may be policy to keep the soldiers in ignorance, but I must confess my inability to discover its utility. A march without an ob ject, of something to accomplish, or.of duty to perform, is beyond a doubt laborious and fatiguing. I am sure if we had have known the design of the three days forced march that was imposed upon us, we could have njade it with lighter hearts and a more en livened step. The object of the evac uation, as I to-day learned, was to in tercept the enemy on their march to Winchester who intended to take pos session of the railroad, and cut off our supply at the Ferry, and perish us out. Harper’s Ferry, after the bridge was blown up—the public buildings burnt, was considered to be a position of no importance, and if held in possession by the confederates would never be attacked by the enemy. We were therefore ordered to march in actual search of the enemy. Last Monday morning, while in camp at Bunkersville, Col. Bartow ordered the baggage of every descrip tion to be sent by the wagons to Win chester, so as to relieve us of every in cumbrance. That our enemy was within a few miles of us, and on their way to meet us. That we were to form in a line of battle in three miles of the place, and during the day Geor gians would have a chance to make a page upon history’s scrol of honor won. The Echols Guards were ready in double quick time; even our sick men who had taken up their quarters in the wagons to relieve their worn out limbs and sore feet, immediately sprang from the wagons, grasped their guns, and were soon in ranks ready to take their part in the conflict. Lieut. Mobley, though advised by ilje Surgeon that his ttSifchwould not admit of urged by o*r .in: trie waggiT wf / Winchester, pe remptom|p^eTuffl^jp jum said if it was p<H&row tor him to get to the field of battle, he intended to go. That the Echols Guards should never be engaged in a conflict without his taking a part. It may be egotis tical, but every man is proud of his captain, officers, and company; and if Guards do not make their mark, I am greatly mistaken in which way the wind blows. At least, on that occasion every man was eager to hear the command of forward-march. Before we reached the point of ex pected attack, Gen. Johnson learned that our enemy had taken another road toward Winchester. We were then put through in quick time, to cut off their ingress to the ciiy. We heard this morning that our foe had retreated, and crossed the river back into Maryland, and were throwing up fortifications on the opposite side of the mountain, We were here joined by our recruits, who were armed and equipped and ready for a fight; for which we are indebted to Gen. W. P. Howard, the very* man for an emer gency. He heard that we were soon to get into a fight; so he, at the head of the recruits, repaired to the Ord nance Department to draw guns. He tfas there halted by the sentinel, who refused to give him admittance. The Gen. thereupnn drew his knife, told the sentitiel his business, and if he in terfered any more .he would cut his throat, whereupon the sentinel fell back and the entrance was made? The officer in charge refused to give him the guns, as he was not prepared to do so without some legal formalities. Gen. Howard thereupon laid hands upon itfe guns, told the officer that he and his comrades had come to help his friends; that they were about to be engaged in battle, and he intended to help them, and he could not do it without the guns, and he was willing to pay for them ; to give his diamond pin and watch as security for. them ; and if he could beg, buy, or borrow, he intended to have thetn anyhow. Contrary to rule or order, the officer gave them their guns, thinking such energy and zeal should not pass by unrewarded. So they are all here, and ready for the scrimmage. All £Beh recruits are highly acceptable with the Echols Guards. If you can find any more of the game gort, send them along ; we never refuse men of «ch material. In your last issue I saw an article headed War Straws. I can give you another straw, if you have it not al ready. I saw, in the Baltimore Sun, a Lincoln paper,- an account of the battle of Great Bethel. It gives the aggregate amount of killed and woun ded at ovet one thousand, an estimate made by Gen. Butler himself. The Confederates lost only two men.— Though I hear it said by many of our own men, “ too good to be true;” yet, Coming as it did, I am compelled to believe it, good as it is. It reminds me very much of the old Israelitish battles, that were fought when they were ta ing possession of the land of Canaan. God surely has taken it into his own hands, and causing them to be so de ceived as to fight against one and the other; hence the great odds at Old | Bethel. Since writing the above, I have learned from Dr. 11. V. M. Miller, that while we were encamped at Bun kersville, that our picket was camped only three hundred yards from the picket of Gen. Patterson, which were both three miles in advance of the two brigades. We were then only six miles from the foe. At the dawn of day Patterson commenced the retreat and led Gen. Johnson to believe that lie was going to Winchester. The de ception was discovered too late, and thought to be inexpedient to march a set of weary troops in the middle of the day in pursuit, as it would endan ger the lives of hundreds of our men. We have thus vanquished our enemy, not by a battle, but by a manoeuvre that is regarded by all military men superior to anything that characterizes the history of military affairs. It is considered that, so far as this part of Virginia is concerned, that the cam paign is ended, and we will soon be ordered to Manassas Junction to assist Beauregard in his march upon Alex andria. To sack tlie city and pillage the country —beauty and booty—was the principle object of Patterson’s march towards Winchester, as he thought he could readily make good his escape in case* of an attack by Johnson. Themilitiahasbeenpressed i*to service all through the ■ country herfe and I rather think tj/ey will be any attack,. Mobley, of th<^, /f Echols Guards. 1 * Winchester, Va., June 18,1861. Dear Weekly :—I conformity' to our promise, and being unable tofwrite to all our friends individually, Levi P. Blount and myself have retired to the shade of a tree to give you, and through you our friends, all the infor mation of interest concerning the Ech ols Guards. We are now located three miles from Winchester, in a plat of w-oods, densely shaded, destitute of undergrowth, and partially covered with green grass. How long we will remain here I am unable to state' for I am of the opinion that our regiment has been transformed into a travelling circus, to be exhibited in every part of Virginia. Wc left Richmond on the sth of June, arrived at Manassas Junction at 12 o’clock, P. M., and re mained there on the cars, two on a seat, until next morning, at which time we left for Strawsburg. This place is situated at Manassas Gap, the gap where the Blue Mountain is crossed, and the great Valley of Virginia is entered. This valley lies between the Blue Ridge and Alleghany mountains, r from thirty to sixty miles in width and extends clear across the State. Here are the finest stock of every des cription and kind, the richest milk and the finest fields of clover, wheat, oats' and grass I have yet seen. Every thing that meets the eye, all conspire to make this an enticing and lovely country, and cause him that views it to long for a home in the beautiful Valley of Virginia. We arrived at Winchester on the 7th, and left on the following Sunday morning for Harper’s Ferry, at which place we ar rived about tw o o’clock, P. M., ofi that day. On arriving at Harper’s Ferry from the South, you reach the Shenando ah river a few miles from the Ferry ; thence wind your way along down the western bank of that river; it running between two lofty mountains, and leaving precious little vacant space on either side. You wend your way along between these two mountains until you reach the far-famed old Potomac, whose waters flow along on the north side of the Ferry, and only a few yards below mingle with the waters of the Shenandoah. Harper’s Ferry is right in the fork of these two rivers. Just below the Ferry—perhaps a mile —the Potomac, swelled by the waters THE GEORGIA WEEKLY. of the jShenandoah, makes a sudden | curve, over which bend rises another J lofty mountain, commanding the whole 1 Ferry. Harper’s Ferry is situated in a little flat, and runs a few hundred yards up the West side of the Shenan doah, and a few hundred yards up the) south bank of the Potomac, and was connected with the Stato of Maryland by two splendid bridges across the Potomac. We look across the PoD mac into Maryland, As you leare Harper’s Ferry toward the west, com ing up the south side of the Potoaac, you soon begW* jr '~ Ajlimb another mountain, and ccN.. ' ourse up its gradual acclmty ror two miles you reach its sup'*' ’’’•tare was lo cated Col. .-cS’nt. Tlence towards the west*-fcii'h rapid levity this mountain deseeds into a gradu ally broken country, forming the out skirts of the Virginia Valley, from its summit to-its foot is a little over a half mile. Here at the foot of this mountain the Potomac, flowing direct ly from the North, makes a sudden bend towards the East, the direction in which it passes Harper’s I&ry. At the foot of this mountain, right op posite the bend of the river, and about one hundred yards from the river were stationed the Echols Guards. Near the foot of the mountain is a small cedar grove, with the ground all covered with green blue limestone rocks, ami; sloping rapidly towards the bottom. Under almost each one of those cedars,lying, sitting or standing, you woulviJiave found, during last week, some my the Echols Guards. We there alone as a picket From some intelligence received by Gem* Johnson, it was deemed expedient to establish there a picket guard. About three hundred yards in advance of of that place three different roads concentrate, and thence diverge into two, the one going down the river, and the other going around the moun tain. and form the only way of ingress to the Ferry from the West. Conse quently, this being an important post, we were selected from owft regiment, and assigned the post oflßbnor, with instructions to hold it agfrinst any number that might cap*? against us until self-sacrifice W'fnevitalde. From this riverwhere feta mountain on the side, ana stretches towards the below the Ferry. Here Gen. Jenson liad stationed the Kentucky amLMarvland regiments. This is lijiwptuation of Harper’s Ferr»» With eveW entrance, even itself overlooked and commanded, east, west, north and south by lofty mountains. On last Friday all the ammunition, fire-arms and machinery not already removed, Avert? started for Richmond. Soon troops began to leave for Winchester and elsewhere. By Saturday morning all had left ex cept the two Georgia Regiments, who were ordered to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment’s wann ing. Soon thundering were heard at the Ferry, and, ed our eyes thither, w ej Geld those two bridges, built at imi/ vnsecost, one solid sheet of fire, tumbling into the waters of the Potomac, and next, all the public buildings rest the Yan kees were fast being buriebSt.S'uins. All the fortifications were also des troyed, except two on the east side of the Shenandoah, which still command the Ferry, and are as impregnable as the rocks of Gibraltar. Harper’s Ferry is now as worthless as any cluster of mountains that could be st&thled North or South. While there we traced the footsteps of old John Brown. He crossed the Potomac on 'the Ohio and Ohio Rail Road bridge, and took, refuge in a lit* tie wooden building near the bridge, in which he cut .a pml-bole. Being driven from there, ne crossed the street, and brick building,CT port hole, through StfeJ at F. Beckham, who was flow* '•-Brown from the corner <iftn build ing, where he firstTW* rifuge. There still remain these two port-holes, apd the print of each ball from the gun of old Brown, even the one that pierced through the corner of the wooden building and pierced the heart of poor Beckham. One other thing I will mention before bidding adieu to' the description of Harper’s Ferry. Just as you leave the Potomac, right opposite the summit of the mountain upon which we were located yawns the mouth of a cave. We enter it at a common sized door, and wend opr way towards the center of the moun- 1 tain, sometimes rapidly descending,' and then rapidly ascending, until fi nally you reach, after travelling a lit tle over half a mile, the summit of the mountain. It has no other nttrac tions than the simple fact of being a cave. We saw whore old Brown was hung. Wo saw, also, an old stone 'church, where George Wasuiuton waß accustomed to attend. On Saturday evening a little after Rundown, we saw across the Potomac three U. S. Officers, in full uniform, and not knowing the strength of the enemy, and apprehending that it was one of the columns that was to advance against Harper’s Ferry in the North, ern plan of attack on that place, R. A. Howard, acting in H. E. Malone’s place, was immediately sent a little over a mile up the river, with a squad of ten men, to take possession of a large canal boat on our side of the river, with which it was apprehended that they might undertake to cross the river that night. About the same time another cluster of men were seen on our side of the river. So I was sent with ten additional men to aid Lieut. Howard. When I arrived he had taken possession of the boat, and had gone, with W.M. Hardnett (whom we all regard as whole regiment by himself, especially after arresting an abolitionist or two, who swore they could not be taken by the whole com pany,) to look after those men on our ; side of the river. As soon as I ar rived with the aid, I hastened back to make my report to Col. Bartow. Af ter which he called Capt. Lamar, of the Macon Quards, from the summit, and sent him back with me with or ders to burn the boat. L. P. Blount, and one of the Macon Guards moun ted the boat when *vc arrived, and soon had it wrapt in flames. V e saw no in our travel that night. On Sunday morning wc were put in mo tion and began our march towards Charlestown. On reaching that place wc came up with the remainder of the army, numbering about ten thous and effective men. After passing through town we turned towards Mar tinsburg, expecting constantly to meet the enemy, as we were assured that fifteen thousand had crossed the rivet, and were advancing to give us battle. On Monday night, wc camped at Bun kerstown. On Tuesday morning our Colonel bid us prepare for battle, stating that on that day would bo writ tena new chapter in American histo- BpP^~rVl#iWrirwji|iiJ < ii«S>' anr iwropiiii v- til's-' 'mounted from the wagons and shoul dered their muskets, eager for the con test. There were no pale faces among the Echols Guards. Several reques ted Capt. Howard to send their dead bodies home if they should that day fall. Gen. Johnson was reported to be ■ forming his line of battle three miles in advance. At that time the enemy took a different road and began to move towards Winchester. We were all instantly put in motion and began to move in the same direction, where upon the enemy halted, soon began to retrace their steps, and this morning we-learn that they have recrossed the ■river. Thus we were disappointed in a fight after marching near fifty miles for that purpose. For three days I marched with a burning fever, suffer ing with the neuralgia, with five large blisters on my feet, eating only two biscuit during the time, and half fam ished frequently for water to gratify my anxiety to be in one battle. The whole ftmpany shared the same fate so far as feet and water were concern ed, one fellow declaring that four of his toes had worn off, and were loose in hia boots. Robt. Gammon was ta ken from the ranks, reeling and stag gering, and laid by the roadside to await the wagons, but when we thought that we were riglit on the eve of battle, like all the rest of our company, he nobly refused to mount a wagon and be conveyed away. Our company bore all the hardships of the forced march with more of alarcity than of murmuring. We have now all recu- perated, and are ready and anxious to march again wherever the enemy will show themselves. We have slept on the ground, with a blue limestone rock for a pillow, until hardships have no terror for us. We have had all the time an ample supply of provisions, and the people of Virginia show us every kindness that we could desire. When located we fare sumptuously in 'every respect. But when on picket guard, or on the march, we necessa rily must endure hardships. Our company has the post of honor in the regiment on the right of the colqrs. Our regiment sta-nds high with Gen. Johnson, and he is profuse in /(is compliments upon it. We were put to a little inconvenience at Rich mond on account of some misunder standing about the number requisite for a company, which was soon recti fied, and ever since everything has jrioved like clockwork. Capt. How- Xlti) knows his business. Yours, E. C. Mobley. ffijit (Sfotgia fUffldij. | WEDNESDAY, JULY 3. THE REACTION. The War fever nf'the Northern people, so far as the mercantile por tion is concerned, has begun, not merely to abate, but to subside into a peace fever. From our reliable ex changes we learn that a powerful and wide spread movement is afoot in Wall street, and other moneyed streets in New York. This movement has for its objedt the purpose of "refusing to advance a dollar towards the enor mous loan soon to he asked by the Federal Government. It is well knowm that the Kangaroo Congress, to meet on the 4th, that is to-morrow, will authorize its chief to demand a loan of $250,000,000 from the Northern people, or someenormous amount, and for several weeks a secret circular has been passed about among the “ bulls and bears ” of New York and Philadelphia, by which each who signs it binds himself not only to re fuse to purchase United States Bonds, but also to use his influence in restrain ing the Banks from aiding the gov ernment. Os course the result of such a pro ceedure, well carried out, will be to stop the wheels of the war department at once. The merchants, bankers and bro kers of the Northern cities at last-see the utter folly of attempting to coerce a reunition of the shattered Union. The satne wisdom has not yet enlight ened the rustic intellects of the rural ■ population of the North, but as soon as those High Priests of Mammon, the merchants of the Northern cities, begin to tighten their pure-strings, the entire Yankee pocket will collapse with a species of cramp colic that will be the death of “ the war of subjuga tion.” Lincoln’s lava tappers w ill not fight—if we call their petty skir mishing, at a safe distance, fighting — without pay. Nine out of ten of the terrible —on paper— lava-tappers enlisted because they could get no bread at home, and it is folly to imagine that they will remain in the army without pay, merely for the fun of bring FHh-mit Lxscoo’s no fun in that kind of “ ventur’. ” Perhap3the true and only reason why the mighty (?) Federal army has not advanced in the would-be invasion is, because the Black Republican lead ers are growing suspicious of their followers. . The Northern people, as a mass, i may be considered as divided into ■ three great parties: The Republicans, , the Black Republicans, and the, par excellence, Jet Black Republicans. The first would like to see the South . subjugated, but will not assist either i in men or money; the second will give - money to have it done, but are afraid to “ try it on” themselves; the third are those who are such asses as to do i the fighting—such as it is, on their part —including the leaders, who do . all the trumpeting, at a very safe dis tance. But the cramp of the pocket is be ginning to be epidemic at the North, and tho only medicine that can cure it is an immediate recognition of the Southern Confederacy. • LADIES VOLUNTEER AID SOCIETY. The above organization has for its object the making of garments for the soldiers of Merriwether and Talbot counties; or for those who enter the service of the Confederate States. Its meetings are held semi-monthly, at the Chalybeate Springs. The Society will meet this day, Wednesday, July Bd. The following is the roll of its officers: Mrs. M. N. Leitner, President. Mrs. W. W. Garrard, Vice do. Miss Mary Ferrill, do do Miss J. L. White, Sec’y andTreas. The following are the Directresses : Mrs. A. B.Howard, Mrs.Wm.Mitchell. Miss S. Campbell, Mrs. M. C. Betts. Mrs. C. Mullins, Mrs.M.A.Hudson. Mrs. E. Denham, Mrs. E. Campbell. Miss Mary Newnan. We have received a copy of the By- I Laws of the Society, through the kind ness of Mr. B. W. Bcsh, of the Chaly beate Springs Hotel, but have not space for their insertion. All who de sire to be more fully informed as re gards the Society, can be gratified by calling at the Georgia, Weekly office. The Society, which is most worthy and patriotic in every respect, needs the substantial aid of our citizens, and any pecuniary donation will be gladly received, and used for the purchase of cloth, which will be made into gar ment* for our brave soldiers. Nearly 150 garments have been made already, and the busy needles of these patriotic ladies will swell the number. The Society numbers, we think, 85 mem bers, and the high character of the ladies who compose the association, is a sufficient guarantee of the manner in which all funds entrusted to their use will bb dispensed. In behalf the Ladies Volunteer Aid Society, and for the sake of our soldiers, we appeal to every citizen of the county to send in a contribution, little or great. Northern Consistency. We see by extracts from Northern papers that the policy of the Kangaroo Administration, as regards the Legis lature of Maryland is as follows : The Legislature may pass whatsoever res olutions and acts as it pleases, but as soon as such shall conflict with the United States Constitution, the bayo net shall scatter it. - This is really the course that should have been used to bring to their senses those Abolition States which passed the Personal Liberty Rills, and legis lated directly against the Constitution. In fact, at this movement, nearly ev ery Northern State has laws which render useless the Constitution they pretend so much to revere. The true home of hypocrisy may be found in Yankecdom. jg@“ The semi-annual exhibition of the Greenville Masonic Female Col lege will take place to-day, (Wed nesday,) in the Methodist Church. The morning will be devoted to original writings, and to music. The President of the College will also de liver an oration upon Southern Ednea titnfc and tales?. At night the perfor mances of the day will be concluded at the same place with exercises ia music, declamation and dialogues. The friends and patrons of the Col lege are respectfully invited to attend- Morning exercises begin at 9 A. Bf. Evening 8 r. m. The regular course of study of the scholastic year, of the College, will he resumed oa the Sr?J Monday in Au gust next, the sth prox. $55“ From the Memphis Avalanche we learn that a messenger from our Coiniaiafoners in Europe, lately ar rived with important Air our government. lie landed in Can ada, passed through Chicago, eluded the Black Republicans, and arrived safe in Memphis. His dispatches af firm that England and France will soon recognize the Southern Confed eracy, and that our government has effected a large loan on the present cotton crop already. $55“ We are pleased in being able to announce that Capt. John L. Stko zier has been elected Colonel of the 68th Regiment pf G. M. As the Col onel is young, energetic, and doubt less well qualified for the responsible office, wo hop>e be will arouse the dor mant military spirit of the county mil itia, and soon give us a regimental muster. There are several offices in this regiment now vacant, which should be filled. Trot out your candidates, gen tlemen, and have all your printing done at the Georgia Weekly office. $55“ The friends of the Union Springs Academy are invited to the School Exhibition, to be given there on the 4th inst., at 7 P. M. Messrs. Rhodes and Brooks are excellent teachers, and from the programme of the exhibition, we expect all who will attend will not be disappointed. We call special attention to the notice of lion. Henry R. Harris, asking a county convention of the planters of Merriwether to-morrow, July 4th. The Hon. Ben. H. Hill, and other distinguished speakers have been in vited, and will address our citizens upon the all-absorbing and important subject of giving aid to our Govern ment. Notice. We must again desire all correspon- * dents, who desire to have their articles published, to sign their names to their productions. It is a rule, /row which we will not swerve, never to publish anonymous communications. sSg=* We call attention to the inter esting letters, in this issue, of Lieut. E. C. Mobley, and Mr. John' H. Williams, both of the Echols Guards, now in Virginia. The exhibition of Capt. W. T. Reylll’s Male Academy, will take place to-morrow at the Methodist Church, in the morning.