Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
War experience of the Virginia Life Guard
Yorktown June 12, 1861.
I notice with much surprise that a correspondent in camp from another quarter of our glorious State intimates that his command has not been very well treated, having been made to march several miles over night, and says it was a very fatiguing operation.--Now, I will not presume to sit in judgment on his statement, but will, for his comfort and the information of the numerous friends of another Richmond company, give you an account of their experience since they were marched into service, as I have it from the lips of one of their members, and I will be personally responsible for the correctness of the statement.
When the Virginia Life Guard left your place in connection with the Third Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, they had the hearty good wishes and prayers of a host of relatives and friends they were transported to their first destination, King's Mill Lauding, per steamer, and their first essay in military life was to encamp on the side of a ploughed hill, and, with nothing but a blanket beneath and one above, passed the night; marched next day, at 12 o'clock, five miles, to Williamsburg; rested one day, then marched at eight o'clock every morning three miles, worked on entrenchments, and returned in the afternoon.
This lasted three days. Then marched at night to Yorktown, a distance of twelve miles--rested a few days; marched twelve miles toward Hampton, worked one day, obstructing road and in thing embankments; then marched two miles to Bethel Church, which is fifteen miles from Yorktown, rested a while, and were called out at 2 o'clock in the morning, without breakfast, and made an entrenchment fifty feel long, four feet wide, and four feet deep; had a cup of coffee, and in a short time were called upon to engage in the first marched battle of the campaign — the battle of Bethel Church; had the honor of firing the first infantry shot at the invaders of our soil, and were kept in trenches to meet any movement of the enemy for two hours; then ordered to march two miles to take position in the woods, a endeavor to prevent the passage of a regiment of the enemy, one thousand strong, while they had only sixty-two men on duty; remained in this position four hours, keeping strict watch, and no enemy coming, had to march twelve miles there to return to Yorktown, where they are now stationed. I have no doubt that, if this meets his eye, the writer of that article will say we are contented, while the Virginia Life Guard say, God helping them they will march during the night and fight during the day, until human strength shall fall, and count it but a labor of love if they may promote the cause of liberty by aiding our gallant armies to rid our fair heritage of the desecrating foot of Northern invaders.
In conclusion I will say, they are all well and hearty though somewhat sunburnt, and ready for another pull at the Hessina.
R.
