From Lynchburg.
[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Lynchburg, Va., May 20, 1861.
Military movements have been rapid in this quarter during the past week.
Troops have been pouring in by thousands from all parts of the South and Southwest.
In the last two days about 1,000 of as determined and savage looking men as I have ever seen, arrived here from Arkansas.
If the Yankees could only get a sight of these brave chaps, depend upon it that they would begin to ‘"cal'clate,"’ and pretty soon come to the conclusion that legs were made to run with, by the aid of which they would soon be enabled to sing Yankee Doodle ‘"on the other side of Jourdan,"’ or rather the other ‘"side of Bosting."’
From Middle Tennessee, another Regiment (the Second) has arrived.
They are a fine looking body of men, and say they are in for the war. In addition to the above, a large number of troops have arrived from different parts of the South--in fact, the arrivals are so frequent that I find it impossible to keep posted as to who they are and where they come from.--From conversation with intelligent gentlemen, members of the different regiments from various parts of the South, I learn that they leave thousands encamped, just waiting to be transported to the soil of the Old Dominion.
Southwestern Virginia is coming up to the rescue gloriously.
During the week, three companies, two of infantry and one of cavalry, from the patriotic county of Roanoke, have arrived; from Botetourt three, from Craig two, besides a number of companies from other counties, the names of which I cannot recollect.
At Knoxville East Tennessee, fourteen hundred are encamped, awaiting orders to march.
Col. Turney's First Regiment of Tennessee volunteers left here yesterday morning.
Two Mississippi regiments left during the latter part of the week, all well armed and equipped, and are now at their post.
A large number of troops passed through here Saturday.
For prudential reasons I do not give the destination of these troops.
In short, troops in vast numbers have been arriving and departing during the entire week, and there are now encamped here between four thousand and five thousand, awaiting orders.
In local military matters we are getting along swimmingly, and the military enthusiasm is on the increase, and it seems to be the determination of every man who is physically able to go into active service, to become a soldier and offer his services to the State for any duty that may be assigned him, while the old men and military invalids have formed a company and drill regularly.
The Beauregard Rifles, Capt. M. Moorman, numbering 104 men rank and file, leave this morning for your city.
They are a gallant set of gentlemen, and rest assured that wherever duty calls there will they be found.
The Wise Troop, of this city, together with several other cavalry corps, are encamped just outside of the city.
The Jeff. Davis Guard, of this city, are also in camp awaiting orders to be called into active service.
The Lynchburg Rifles are drilling regularly, but have not gone into camp yet.
A most unfortunate affair, resulting in the death of Lieut. Davidson, of Lincoln county, Tennessee, occurred at the camp of the first Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, on Saturday night. The facts, as related to me, are: that a difficulty took place between a man named Taylor and another private in Davidson's company, who were about to engage in a fight; Lieut. D. stepped in between them and pushed them apart, whereupon Taylor drew a pistol and shot his Lieutenant through the heart, killing him instantly.
Taylor was immediately put under arrest.
The remains of Lieut. D. were escorted to the Tennessee depot yesterday evening by two companies of the second Tennessee Regiment, accompanies by a number of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member, and placed on the cars to be sent to his friends in Lincoln county, Tennessee.
In spite of the ‘"Ape's"’ blockade, I noticed yesterday morning a very large quantity of goods in charge of the Express Company, some of which was stopped for consignees in this city, and some 6,000 or 8,000 lbs. sent on to Richmond and Norfolk.
The bulk of it came from Louisville, Kentucky, and the remainder from New Orleans.
The best part of the joke is that nearly the entire freight was military equipments, &c., &c., and it is said that plenty more of the same kind can be had from the same source.
But, as I am getting lengthy, I must close, promising to keep you better posted in relation to affairs here than I have done since the war begun. O. K. 