Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Doings at Harper's Ferry.
Harper's Ferry, Va., May 16, 1861.
This morning all things look busy about the camp-grounds and quarters — men preparing their morning repast, drill at 5 ¼ A. M., after which comes breakfast.
At 9 o'clock, the splendid band, under the direction of Prof. Charles Eshman, from Harrisonburg, commences practice; at 10 o'clock squad drill; at 2 o'clock P. M. band rehearsal; at 3 o'clock drill; and at 5 ½ or 6 P. M. dress parade.
Thus, you see, we are always busy, and should the enemy come to the attack, they would be very apt to run in and find us already armed and accoutred, as we do not get much play-time.--At 8 o'clock every man not out on duty is in his barracks.
This is by general order from headquarters, and a good arrangement.
On Sunday last, about forty members of the Maryland Legislature paid us a visit.
What their purpose was is probably best known at headquarters, as, so soon as they could get permission, they repaired to the residence of Col. Jackson, commander of forces.
Many accidents having occurred by the careless, and sometimes too free, use of sidearms, the use and the carrying of them daily has been prohibited.
Yesterday another of the Kentucky Regiment was accidently shot by a pistol in his own hands.
The ball entered his head under the eye-brow, and passed straight up through his head.
This last makes ten cases of a similar sort.
Large reinforcements are daily pouring in. They generally come in regiments, and bring the requisite number of cannon and other splendid arms.
The machinery in the works in the Armory yard has been pretty well removed.
Not much of it yet remains to be carried off.--There is, though, plenty of machinery here for other purposes than the manufacture of muskets.
It is to be hoped that the machinery may be put up at Richmond speedily, and set to work.
We are yet turning out a large number of good guns daily.
I can hardly think we lack for guns.
The Kentuckian were furnished a few days ago with Minnie rifles, and they are the boys to make their mark.
Our position is nearly impregnable, and within a short time the whole of Abe Lincoln's army put together cannot take us. But if they think otherwise, just let them pitch in
About 2,000 additional troops have arrived here within four days past.
It is nobody's business how many there are here.
I will let you guess.
Very general good health prevails.
This is strange for so large an assemblage of men.
The scenery hereabouts is sublime, and no lover of the beauties of Nature can fail to admire its grandeur.
Mr. Jefferson, in his eloquent description of the scenery of Harper's Ferry, did not overdraw the picture.
Having been so busied heretofore by many duties, I have been debarred from keeping a narrative of all events transpiring, but in future I shall be able to keep my chronicle regularly.
There is not much in regular routine of army camp life to write about, unless one will give credence and circulation to all the rumors and reports, which are not all reliable.
I shall not give them — I shall endeavor to keep a correct record.
As far as provisions are concerned, we have plenty of the best.
Many reports circulated of our starving condition has brought large quantities of private boxes of ‘"goodies"’ for individual men, when nothing of the sort was necessary.
Soldiers never heavily indulge in luxuries, except at their own expense.
Some nice men may have wanted luxuries, but none wanted all the necessaries; and, I will say further, that all the arrangements here are better than anywhere else that I have seen or heard of for the comfort of soldiers.
Pen. 