Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
snow — Court day — attempt at robbery — Public
sentiment, &c.
Harrisonburg, Va.,March 19, 1861. Yesterday we had quite a snow. It continued all day, and far into the night. It reminds one of occupying a position farther North than the map assigns us. Looking like mid-winter, of course the anticipations of spring, so apparent a few days since, are dispelled.
Yesterday was County Court day. No business of importance was transacted by the Court Much auctioneering was done; some of it by J. T. Logan, Deputy Sheriff, who offered several likely young negroes; only one of whom were sold, owing to the low prices offered. A negro girl, 21 years old, (a likely young woman,) sold for $750, cash.
A daring attempt at robbery and murder was attempted on Saturday evening last, in this county. Mr. G. W. Stanley, a lame man, colporteur for the American Tract Society, was coming from Conrad's Store, towards Harrisonburg, and, when three or four miles cast of McGaheysville, in what is called the "long woods," (about four miles of dense woodland,) on the Rockingham turnpike, two men, supposed to be negroes, although possibly white men blacked, stepped from the woods and demanded something to eat. Mr. Stanley stated to them he had nothing to give them. They next demanded his money. He told them he had only enough to pay his toll. They next demanded his horse and buggy, saying they would ride to where they could get something. One of the men had hold of the bridle of Mr. S.'s horse, whilst the other stood one side of Mr. S., who was in the buggy. When he refused to give up the buggy, the one beside him drew out a large butcher knife, and made a cut at Mr. Stanley, cutting through six thicknesses of goods, in which Mr. S. was wrapped up, and just marked the skin. At the instant, the one who held the horse let go, and attempted to dispatch Mr. S. with a club, but Mr. S. gave his horse a cut with his whip, and thus escaped them.--As the buggy was moving off, the negro who had the knife made another thrust at Mr. Stanley, and succeeded only in cutting open the back of his overcoat. It is to be hoped the rascals will be caught.
From conversation with many of the people, I am happy to learn that a considerable revolution is going on in the minds of our people. So we go. We will all be secessionists after a bit. The people are at last beginning to reason from the awful facts which stare us so boldly in the face. Virginia will be all right; and if the present Convention will not take us out of the Northern Confederacy, the people will take themselves out by a vote, or another Convention.
Dr. S. A. Coffman, one of our representatives to the State Convention, addressed a large portion of our people here yesterday, (Court day.) From his remarks, the Doctor is fast becoming straight-out. His speech, (should he make one,) in the Convention, will be a more explicit exposition than I could possibly give, His speech was gratifying to the friends of secession, and what is more, Rockingham will endorse the Doctor in all his points, believing him to be always right.
Pen.
