Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Military movements — camp scenes — provisions for sick soldiers, &c. Lewisburg, Va., Aug. 28.
For some time past there have been various movements of troops in and around our town.
The Legion of Gen. Wise, which spent some days at the White Sulphur Springs, came back in due time wonderfully improved.
I believe a stranger would have thought them equipped for the first time, so well so well did they look.
Floyd's Brigade looked well and marched well.
Both Generals are engaged in their work west of us with — men, and more are on their way now.
I visited the camp of the 51st Regiment Virginia volunteers on yesterday.
I found them encamped in a large field near town.
The encampment presented a very picturesque scene — the long rows of tents; the sentinels pacing to and fro; the relief guard, with a good band of music, drilling; the bag gage wagons, uniform in size and appearance; horses feeding behind them; the men engaged over their rows of fires, some making and baking bread, some cooking meat, some grinding coffee, some frying eggs; while others watched these operations with a good deal of interest.
All these features combined to make a picture worthy of a master artist.
The soldiers I found very polite.
An officer kindly gave us various interesting items in regard to the regiment.
We have a number of sick in town.
For these, have been provided a number of good hospitals.
The citizens have, in proper spirit, volunteered to assist in caring for them — Committees of ladies regularly visit the patients and supply their wants.
The cases are generally but light ones.
Some few fever patients.
I have been surprised and gratified in my visits to the sick, and in my conversations with the soldiers, to find the interest manifested in religion.
Some here now are seeking peace with God.
Most show a decided regard for the Bible and for Church privileges.
You often find them reading their Testaments.
They attend religious service in the various churches.
Many of them are members of Christian churches.
Said one to me, ‘"All the pleasure I have is in reading my Testament."’ Said another, ‘"I pray continually."’ A third remarked, ‘"I have been seeking Christianity for a year. "’ One poor fellow, suffering with fever, looked up and said substantially, ‘ "Wherever I find Christians, I find friends; they don't seem like strangers. "’ When you get down and pray with them, all in the room kneel.--What a field, now, for energetic chaplains and colporteurs?
The Christians of each town where troops pass, and are stationed, ought to employ a pious colporteur, to talk and pray with these brave defenders of our rights, and to distribute tracts and testaments among them.
A Washington.
a Vickers; a Lee, a Conrad, show that both Generals and privates are none the less brave and true, when Christians.
I do not think it proper to give thus publicly the numbers and movements of our troops in these parts.
Nor am I sufficiently posted to give their exploits correctly.
Suffice it to say, we believe that Tyler and Cox are trying to get out of the way of Generals Floyd and Wise, and that Rosencranz is alarmed already at the not that is being thrown around him. We also hear of severs skirmishing in the Kanawha, in which our troops are successful. 