Dispatch Correspondence.
Petersburg, Thursday, May 23.
Our citizens were astounded this morning, as if by a peal of thunder from a clear sky, by the intelligence of the death of Captain C. F. Fisher, of the Petersburg Cavalry.
Not a week ago this splendid company left the city for the field of duty at Norfolk, and this afternoon the lifeless corpse of the esteemed commander was brought back, accompanied by his compatriots in arms.
It is difficult to realize a change which has been so sudden.
The body was received at the depot this afternoon by the Home. Guard, Captain Potts; and the Home Cavalry, Captain Panuill.
It was a most solemn and affecting spectacle to witness the procession moving slowly through the streets, the corpse being preceded by the companies just named, and followed by the members of the Cavalry, on foot, who had come to pay the last solemn rites to their late chieftain.
Capt. Fisher's death was tragic in the extreme.
It was noticed yesterday afternoon that he was laboring under unusual excitement, with decided aberration of the mental faculties; and his company was ordered from Craney Island to Suffolk, with directions that he should be sent home from thence, to enjoy a respite from the cares of military duty.--When they were within half a mile of Suffolk, and at about half-past 2 o'clock this morning, he destroyed himself with his own hands by flaring two pistol balls into his abdomen and one into his temple.
Capt. Fisher was in the very prime of life.
For a number of years he has been Cashier of the Exchange Bank, which, under his administration, was one of the safest and most popular institutions in the State.
He was a most accomplished man of business, and enjoyed in an unlimited degree the confidence of the mercantile classes of the city.
The funeral services will take place to-morrow afternoon, at 3 o'clock, at the First Baptist Church, Rev. Mr. Keen, pastor, of which Mr. Fisher was a member.
Yesterday afternoon the Common Council of Petersburg adopted a resolution of considerable importance.
All male citizens remaining in the city, between the ages of 16 and 50, are requested to enroll themselves for active duty at home, in some military company.--Directions are given for obtaining a full list of all such persons.
This is certainly a wise step; for all who enjoy the protection of the laws should lend their aid in promoting the public security.
The election passed off to-day quietly.
The vote was large considering the number of absent persons. Mon CŒur.
Suffolk, May 23, 1861.
One of the most painful results in the history of the present war occurred near this place this morning.
As I telegraphed you, Capt. C. F. Fisher, of the Petersburg Cavalry, shot himself dead this morning with a pistol, while on the march with his company to this place.
The removal of the company to some point accessible to Petersburg had been procured by the inferior officers, with the hope that Captain Fisher might be prevailed upon to return to his home in that city, it having become apparent, during the last few days, that, from aberration of mind, he had become unfit for his position.
He expressed himself highly gratified when the order was received, and gave orders to march immediately from the neighborhood of Craney Island, where his command had been posted.
About 10 o'clock last night they started for our capacious and beautiful Fair Grounds, and about a quarter-past 2 o'clock this morning, when within one mile of the quarters, he startled his men by the perpetration of the horrid deed.
An inquest was held early this morning, the finding of which was as follows:--That Christopher F. Fisher, Captain, &c., while riding in his position to the right of his company, shot himself dead with three pistol shots, two of which penetrated his chest, and one the right temple of the head.
I need not speak to your citizens of the stern integrity and moral worth of Capt. Fisher.--To others I may simply say, that no event has ever occurred in the history of Petersburg that produced so profound an impression there as this will.
Capt. F. was an intelligent and active member of the Baptist Church, Cashier of the Exchange Bank, and was universally respected and esteemed — the right man in the wrong place.
An engagement of some sort is now going on near here.
I hear the report of a brisk cannonade while I write.
Our election goes on quietly. Ego.
Washington, N. C., May 22.
Yesterday the ‘"Washington Grays,"’ Capt. T. Sparrow, numbering one hundred of our best young men, were presented with a beautiful stand of colors, numbering nine stars in the blue field, made by our young ladies, and presented by one of their number, Miss C. Hoyt, who made one of the most soul-stirring and patriotic speeches ever heard.
Scarcely a dry eye in the large concourse of citizens and soldiers could have been found, and when in clear silver tones she bade them ‘"bring it back unsullied, or come not at all,"’ the manly bosom of every Gray might be seen to swell, and flashes of vengeance sparkle from every eye.
When that flag trails in dishonor the Grays will be all dead!
Capt. Sparrow, in a few eloquent remarks, received the flag in true soldier style, gave the Grays ten minutes to say good-bye to dear ones behind, when they were marched to Brooks' wharf where lay the steamer ‘"Post Boy"’ all ready to take them to our sea-coast, where they are ordered by the Governor for defence.
Two more companies are here now, waiting for orders and hoping they may, when they come, be for Virginia.
One of them, a rifle company, are rare specimens of pine knot country; fully as quick to ignite, and quite as durable. H.
Baltimore, May 22, 1861.
To-morrow is the day to which all Baltimoreans look forward with great anxiety — the 23d of May, and the old Commonwealth will bid adieu to a once glorious Union, now polluted by a Lincoln, a Seward, and a Chase-Men will look each other in the face, and sigh with heavy hearts at the rending asunder of your noble State from poor, down-trodden and chained Maryland; but, although we will be separated geographically, our hearts will remain in the bosom of the home of him who was ‘"first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen."’ Virginia will soon be peopled by nearly all of the F. F. M.'s. Already, some of the old stock have left for Richmond; finally, no one will be left in the ‘"Monumental City"’ but the political trickster and emigrant Yankee, to witness the decay of one of the finest cities in America — the fruits of placing her in an unnatural position, for the sake of their irrepressible patriotism, (party purposes and mercenary ends.)
Nothing of interest has transpired here lately; occasionally a drunken soldier may be seen on the streets.
Their audacity is becoming more and more astounding every day. To give you an example: a poor little news-boy, whilst vending a paper called The South, was kicked pretty harshly by one of these besotted dogs, for merely offering him one.
But they will soon find out the difference between a people unarmed and sold to their enemies, and people (Virginias) armed and ready ‘"to welcome them with bloody hands to hospitable graves."’ The military of our city have entirely disbanded, and you will be able to find in Virginia large representations of each of our military companies.
I can vouch for the mettle of the Independent Grays, Law Grays and the Maryland Guards.
The first mentioned drill like clock-work, and Capt. Clark (a Virginia) is just ‘"the boy for tanning Yankees."’ The Law Grays will fight from the ‘"word go,"’ and the Maryland Guards are crack soldiers.
The Eye Openers will soon be with you.
Starksville,Miss., May 13.
There is a spirit of resistance pervading the people of this State which the history of the world does not afford a parallel, and this spirit does not confine itself to the men only, but the ladies are ready and willing to do any and everything which it becometh them to do, even to the sacrificing of their husbands, children and lovers upon the altar of the Southern Confederacy; contending for Southern independence, Southern rights, and Southern honor.
This is the people old Abraham imagines he can subjugate.
He must exterminate every man, woman and child first.
There is a fine company of volunteers in this place, numbering 104, ready and anxious to receive orders to march.
They are becoming very restive, so eager are they to be sent to Virginia.
These days we hear of nothing but wars and rumors of wars — we hear no music but martial — we see few men but soldiers. A Son of the Old Dominion.
Madison, Ga., May 20, 1861.
The military spirit pervades the community.
In addition to the Home Guards, another company of young men is about formed.
Then there is a company of boys, from perhaps' fifteen to eighteen years old; another of boys from about ten to fifteen; and last, though not least, a few days ago there was a company formed of middle-aged and rather elderly men, Mr. Peacock being Captain; John F. Johnston, Colonel; Jno. B. Walker and others being officers, and among the privates, Col. Rocas, Rev. Messrs. Foot and Crumley.
I saw even Dr. Jones and Maj. Reese in the ranks.
They are a fine looking company of men, nearly all of more than ordinary size, and, as I assure you, appear determined to carry out what they undertake.
Business is quite dull here, as elsewhere.--Men are leaving their occupations and their families to enlist in the service of our country willing to peril their health, and even their lives in defence of our rights.
I do not believe such a people can ever be conquered, even by greatly superior numbers of hired adversaries.
They do not go for pay, but out of love of liberty and for the promotion of right.--Noble old Virginia seems destined to be the great battle-ground.
I am not the least concerned but that her sons, side by side with their brethren from the other Confederate States, will stand firm and defend their country till the last man falls.
Our army is composed of the very flower of the people, who have left dear friends and pleasant homes behind them, because the post of danger and of duty is now on the line and upon the coast.
The crops in this State were never better. 