Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
the Third Regiment--their landing and departure for Williamsburg — camp life.
King's Mill Wharp,James City County, Va. I have noticed in your paper of late a cordial invitation for ‘"information"’ in regard to all ‘"war"’ movements. Besides, as almost our entire regiment is from Richmond, it will be gratifying perhaps to our friends to hear how we prosper.
Leaving Richmond yesterday at 12½ P. M., we arrived here safely and pleasantly at 3½. We noticed two formidable batteries on the way; one at City Point, (or several miles below, rather,) the other at Jamestown, in progress of construction. The soldiers at these two points cheered us heartily as we passed. After much delay in getting off our baggage, eight companies--Capts. Tucker, Atkinson, Dabney, Childrey, Lloyd, Tally, Charters and Lybrock--took up the line of march for Williamsburg, leaving squads to guard and forward their baggage to-day. Capt Dance's company were sent by steamer last night up to Jamestown, three miles distant, and the Virginia Life Guard, Capt. Walker, (of which your correspondent is a member,) was left here to defend, if necessary, and look after the baggage and commissary stores. The Colonel and staff of course went on with the main body. Soon our camp fires began to burn, and sentinels to pace to and fro before the stacked lines of our Enfield rifles.
It was about half-past 9 before we got our coffee, hard bread and hot ‘"middling."’ Presently almost every man not on guard began to look out for his sleeping arrangements.--Seeking protection from the wind which blew freshly across the river, here three miles wide, behind some bushes on the bank, they lay here and there around the big fire, and many were soon asleep upon their blankets with the bright moon above them, and at their feet the magnificent James, lit up with the ‘"silver beams."’ Your correspondent being somewhat of a night owl, joined a party (the first time in his life) to serenade a family in the neighborhood, where our Captain had been politely invited to sup. We had two flutes, a fine banjo, and several fine voices.--Our complimentary visit was rewarded by a very sweet token, (a bundle of candy,) which issued from an upper window with such force that there was some danger of getting a black eye. In the scramble to get this singular missile, your correspondent seized a piece of plaster which he held to with great eagerness until a careful examination told him it was simply a piece of lime. At half-past 11, on our return to camp, we found that the steamer with our wagons had just arrived, when the loading began, and has continued ever since. I question whether we get away before 12 M to-day.
This morning a foray was made upon the eggs and chickens, (not the enemy's,) and about 10 dozen of the former, and 2 of the latter, were captured, all of which have been disposed of ere this, much to the comfort of the captors.
In searching for some place to dispose of himself last night, your correspondent espied a small house near the camp, and on entering it in the dark, was surprised at the gleaming of a musket in the hands of a sentinel, who had been left in charge of two soldiers who had imbibed too freely. Promising the sentinel a supper, he consented that I should occupy 6 by 2 feet on the floor, in close juxtaposition with the sons of Bacchus, who now lay sleeping soundly under their narcotic draught. A requisition was made upon these two gentlemen to take up their line of march about 3 o'clock this morning, and it being found impossible to awake one of them, your correspondent resorted to a scientific method, sometimes employed in London, with such immediate effect, that but for the interposition of the sentinel and sergeant, the suddenly aroused and infuriated man would have given your correspondent a black eye with which to enter Williamsburg to-day.
Our company is well and cheerful — some two or three complaining a little, but will soon be well again. We expect to reach Yorktown to-night, (passing through Williamsburg,) a distance of fifteen miles. Having to feed the Regiment, doctor the company, and play the Lieutenant, your correspondent has quite enough to do at present.
I have been informed, upon what seems good authority, that 400 or 500 Yankees from Old Point entered Hampton a day or two ago, but returned very soon to the Fort. But I receive almost every report with some doubt. If I shall hereafter write you, I wish to say now that I shall not tell you ‘"all I hear"’
Our men seem not to have suffered at all from their first night with the green earth for their sleeping place. I have moralized a good deal upon our new position, but will not trouble you with anything of this sort now. It is a noble sight to see men who have been raised as some of ours submit cheerfully to hardships before unknown to them. But we contend for our rights, and count not the cost. To a man who has labored day and night to save life, it is a sad necessity to have to destroy life. But to live in peace with our enemies seems impossible. They will not even suffer us, in accordance with the apostolic doctrine, peaceably to ‘"withdraw ourselves"’from them. So we must wait and do our duty. May God help us!
P.
Williamsburg,May 27.
Since writing the above I have come to this old town, and, being my first visit, it is not devoid of interest. News has just been received of the landing of 5,000 Federal troops at Newport News. It may be that we shall see them some of these days. They are about twenty-five miles distant. We hope to be able to give a good account of ourselves. We long for the Dispatch.
P.
