Crops — impressments — Military Affairs in the Valley — the severe winter — Court days.
[correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]The subject of impressments by military officers is attracting much attention, and there is no doubt that, as heretofore carried out, it has operated much to the injury of the Government, and has borne harshly upon portions of the people. If the Congress will declare there shall be no more impressments, and agree to enter the market as a purchaser, upon an equal footing with private individuals, they will soon be enabled to get all they need at less rates than they are compelled to pay even by impressments. Entering into a fair competition, they will have all the advantages of the market; and the market will be better supplied, because people will no longer be deterred from putting their produce into market for fear of Government impressment agents. Congress has recently been tinkering at legislation on the subject; but the best and shortest way to settle the whole matter is to let the people alone — stop impressments — and thus reverting back to first principles (the law of supply and demand) they will arrive at proper conclusions, and supply themselves by entering the market and purchasing what they need or want. This is the only true remedy.
But it seems there is not much use in recommending anything plausible, for the present Congress are certainly not equal to the emergencies of the country. We will, no doubt, see some children act in the shape of protection for the Government against the people. But there must be something done quickly upon this sour question of impressment or the Congress will aware soon to the reality that there is starvation and subjugation, with plenty in the land. There is plenty of grain and wheat in Virginia, but impressment officers cannot get it, and the only way to get at it is to throw upon the market to Government and individuals alike, and it will come forth in surprising quantities. Let it be tried, at least.
There is nothing of interest in the department of the Valley, commanded by Brig.-Gen. Jones. --A small skirmish now and then disturbs the monotony and quiet of Gen. Jones's camp Gen. Jones and Gen. Milroy seem to hold the same card, and consequently the game is blocked. Milroy wants Jones to come to Winchester, and vise versa. The atrocities perpetrated by Milroy are bearing hard upon the spirits of the good and loyal people of Winchester and of the surrounding counties.--It would be a very happy thing if the authorities would send "Stonewall" to the deliverance of these people. There is a negro regiment at Harper's Ferry, and a negro Captain, with his company, was in Charlestown, Jefferson county, a few days ago, searching the houses of white people, probably hunting "secesh" flag, guns, etc. This is the crowning act of infamy of the Lincoln Administration.
The past winter has been a very severe one, and one which I presume will long he remembered for its many snows and severity, and the suffering which has necessarily ensued. Nothing short of an implicit faith in the great King of the Universe could have kept up the spirit of the people of the Confederacy, coupled with the knowledge of the justice and righteousness of our cause during this severe season.
To-day the County Court met. Nothing of special interest transpired in the Court. Sales of personal property, as usual, were spirited, and prices were very high for everything sold. Can it be that there is a culminating point?
