From Camp Cooper,
a Grand Revine on the Sabbath — preaching — fine living--Gen. Stuart--Another Grand Revice — Presentations by Governor Letcher--the negroes and Camp life, &c.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Sunday morning there was a grand review. Col. Jones took his position on his peculiar colored horse almost a clay color; while all the companies that were not out on picket passed around, first, in platoons, and then in columns of two abreast. There are some very fine horses in this regiment. After review we had preaching in camp by Major Danney Ball, former Chaplain to this regiment; but he has now buttoned up his clerical coat with Virginia buttons, put a star on each side of his collar, and gone on to General Stuart's staff. He preached in the Commissary's tent with his audience on the sunny side — The wind was blowing which made it some-what disagreeable, but the men were all respectful and attentive, and nearly all joined in the singing. After dinner we accepted an invitation to dine at General Stuart's head quarters. We had a very nice dinner of meats, vegetables, pickles, and preserves.--We were joined by Col. Jones with a bottle of nice blackberry wine, of "home manufacture," Monday morning we accepted another invitation to breakfast on buck wheat cakes with the General. The short ride from Camp Cooper to "Camp Qui Vive only served to sharpen our appetites, and ample justice was done the buckwheats, while laughter, jest, and repartee flew rapidly around the table. Gen. Stuart is very witty and quick at repartee. His prominent characteristics, energy, activity, and indomitable perseverance have heretofore been written of. He is also very impulsive, one moment jesting with the gayest and laughing with the most trivial, the next deeply immersed in business, writing rapidly, and turning over the scattered papers before him, or with a book of military tactics in his hand deeply engaged in conning his lesson, as he expressed himself. I dwell thus long on his character, fully expecting him in the future to be one of our most prominent men.
At two o'clock on Monday he had the brigade out for drill for the first time. It was certainly the most imposing array I ever witnessed, and the most warlike I ever expect to witness. The fences had all been for a way in the morning, throwing a face of four fields into one for the military evolutions. We went out early on horse back and took position on a hill, which commanded, as good a view as could be obtained. The country here is very uneven, with such abrupt hills and ridges that one cannot see a half mile in front sometimes. The different regiments having all got in, Gen. Stuart was soon seen, mounted on a fine black horse, moving rapidly from one position to another, and although the wind was blowing, spurn and sabres clanking, horses snorting and pawing with the excitement of the hour, his stentorian voice could be heard distinctly, loud and clear, giving out the words of command, which were repeated by the Colonels of each regiment. Of course, no whole regiment was cut, two or three companies of each being out on picket, but I believe the estimate of the turnout was two thousand. The movements were made in good order, and the left and right wheel almost marvelous to one unused to the "pomp and circumstances" of glorious war. The prettiest sight, I think, was when they formed a long line of two abreast for inspection. The line seemed almost interminable, and the sabres countess, glittering in the evening sun. The most amusing part of the performance was that of a mute which had broken its fastenings, and, inspired I suppose by the brilliancy of the scene, kept bringing up the rear in each movement with loud brays.
Wednesday, the Virginia infantry were reviewed by Gov. Letcher, and presented with State flags. They cheered vociferously as they received them. The presentation took place at the for inaction on the pike, just at the edge of Centreville. The Generates were all standing upon the fortifications. We rode quite near, and I obtained a good view of Gen. Beauregard, as he was standing with his face towards us. I liked his appearance very much. He has a mild, placid face. It would be needless for me to enter into a description, as so many have been already given, Well may Virginia be proud of her stalwart sons, nor will I hesitate to say that the beautiful flags presented yesterday and received with so much enthusiasm, will never be railed in the dust by her enemies, save over their dead bodies.
I saw the Sumter Flying Artillery of Georgia, drilling yesterday. The movements were more rapid and regular than anything I had ever conceived of with so many men and horses engaged. They are a fine looking company. Gov. Letcher reviewed the cavalry to day, but as it was a repetition of what I saw on Monday, I will not enter into detail. The only difference was that the officers were dressed up in their "best clothes" to-day, and rode their finest horses.
One of the brightest features in camp life is the happy negroes. They laugh, and sing, and dance from morning until night; but if you ask them how they like camp life, they say it is getting too cold now, they would like to be "a getting' home"
There is some rumor here of the expectation of a big battle in a week or two. B. C. L.
