Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
from Camp Pickens.
Camp Pickens, July 13th, 1861.
While sitting in my tent this evening, listening to the dull, uninterrupted pattering of the rain, and thinking of the loved ones at home, a thought struck me that I might while a way the time faster by writing a few lines for your valuable paper.
I have nothing particularly interesting to communicate, except that great confidence pervades the minds of all our troops that we can lick the hirelings of that arch-blend, Lincoln, no matter what the odds are against us. Our most ardent wish is for the order for an advance movement, and your correspondent would freely give three months' pay to receive such a command; but wiser heads than his govern our movements, and we are all willing, as far as we can, to bide our time until the hero of Fort Sumter leads us to battle and to victory.
On Saturday we heard the report of nineteen cannon, fired in the direction of Fairfax C. H.
Our regiment, (the 17th,) has just gotten a band of fourteen performers, which is a great acquisition, I can assure you.
A battle is soon expected at Manassas, as both of the opposing armies are very near each other, Look out for one at any moment.
You would be much amused, as well as feel highly flattered, if you could see the newsboy when the Dispatch is received here of an evening.
He is at once a personage of great importance, and it is really a fact, in some cases, a sentinel is posted at the Express office, where he sells the papers, to keep order and prevent the crowd from overrunning everything.
You cannot imagine how grateful we poor soldiers feel for your notices about postage It is really a large sum for us, as money is not very plentiful, especially at Manassas.
Our company are very anxious to visit Richmond, (not in the way of a retreat, however,) having heard so much of the beauty of the Richmond ladies.
I think we will make model husbands; we are good cooks, chamber maids, washers and ironers, and last, though not least, we are under strict discipline, which the girls will no doubt keep up.
Au Revoir. 