A lady in
Nelson county requests us to add the names of herself and daughters to the list of those who demand of
Gen. Scott the return of the sword presented to him by his native State.
The same correspondent informs us that the farmers of
Nelson are planting the largest corn crop they ever planted.
The wheat promises finely, and there never was a more flattering prospect for good crops in
Nelson.
The county is fully aroused to her sense of duty, and has formed several fine volunteer companies.
The ladies are lending a helping hand, like the patriotic
Virginia ladies everywhere.
Among the volunteers in
Nelson county is a young lawyer who gave up a lucrative practice and handsome property in
Kansas, (the latter will probably be confiscated,) and came home to help on the glorious cause of his mother State.
The writer adds:
‘
I have two sons--one only 15 years old; he is very anxious to join the volunteers, and we will not object if it should become necessary for him to go. My eldest son belongs to the Washington Rifle Guards, (rendezvous
Abingdon.) He was in a lucrative practice of law, but has given up all for our just and glorious cause, which every true, patriotic man will do now, if he deserves not the name of man.
‘"Who would be a coward now, Let him basely die."’ M.
A letter from our regular
Norfolk correspondent, (which arrived somewhat behind time,) says that the British barque
Volant and the Swedish brig
Tyres, which were stopped by the blockade in
Hampton Roads, and afterwards reported by
Pendergrast to have sailed for New York, are probably lying at anchor in
Lynnhaven Bay; sent there, no doubt, in order to be out of sight of those whom the
blockheads expected would be sent to look after them.
The letter also alludes to the fact that the troops at
Fortress Monroe have taken possession of wells of water in the neighborhood.
The writer believes the real object is--
To encroach, little by little, in two different directions, towards
Richmond, with a view of possessing themselves of that place, viz: one by the way of
Williamsburg, and the other by the way of the
West Point route.
At all events, I would advise and urge upon your people the necessity of immediately (if you have not already done so,) looking to the defence, and fortifying and strongly guarding these routes.
Our market is well supplied with everything that we wish, and prices as low as could be desired.
A Fincastle correspondent recommends that town as a pleasant, safe and healthful retreat to all who, during our difficulties, would make it a home.
The society is good, religious advantages ditto, and there are two excellent hotels — all of which we can endorse.
The writer furnishes the following news:
’ ‘
A large number of the convicts employed by
Rosser, and working on the
Covington and Ohio Railroad, escaped a few days ago. Two were re-captured on the same road, and at the same time some twelve or more hirelings made off. A party of gentlemen from the vicinity of
Fincastle succeeded in capturing six of them, five of whom are in our jail, and the other was shot.
I am credibly informed that only a guard of four men had charge of the convicts.
They were not manacled, or in any way secured against escape.
Thus, by a dereliction of duty in your city, we have some 90 or 100 desperadoes turned loose in our county.
At this time why not send the convicts on
York River to aid in putting up batteries?
They would be under a strong guard, and of service to the
State.
I have just learned that one convict and one slave were brought in and lodged in jail last night.
To morrow the Botetourt Dragoons,
Capt. Pitzer, leave for
Lynchburg.
Already
Botetourt has nobly done her duty, having now five companies in service.
Our old correspondent ‘"
Dyke"’ (who has turned soldier) writes a gratifying account of the war spirit in
New Kent county.
He says:
’ ‘
New Kent has responded nobly to the call for troops.
Two companies have already been mustered into service, the New Kent Rifles, under command of
Capt. James Richardson, and the Pamunkey Guards, (artillery,) commanded by
Capt. Robert T. Ellett.
The former will compare with any similar corps of the
State, both as regards fine looking men, and their proficiency in the manual exercise.
These two companies, with two others, are now rendezvoused at
West Point, but we have heard there is a probability of
Captain Richardson's company being transferred to some other point.
We have a splendid corps of Cavalry, to which your correspondent has recently had the honor of attaching himself.
It was organized and commissioned soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, and has prospered ever since.
Capt. Melville Vaiden, a gentleman of great worth and valor, and who possesses much military skill, has the privilege of commanding it. We muster 70 strong, and will probably have 100 enrolled in the course of a few weeks.
Lieut. Wm. H. F. Lee, a graduate of
West Point, and who served for several years in the United States Army, has been authorized by the
Executive to enroll 200 mounted men, who will go immediately into service, after being commissioned.
His rendezvous is
West Point, and we hear of a great many young men who have joined him.
Lieut. Lee is a son of
Gen. Robert E. Lee, and is a very superior officer.
The wheat, as far as we have observed, promises more than an average yield.
But little of it was killed by the cold weather last winter, consequently there is a fine growth, and that exceedingly luxuriant.
The farmers have finished planting corn, and the most of it is up and growing prettily.
We have six candidates here for the suffrages of the ‘"dear people,"’ two for the Senate and four for the House of Delegates; but with all their canvassing, and the great love they evince for the people, forsooth, they do not create the least excitement.
They are all patriots and good fellows, and we wish them an abundance of success.
We are glad to make public the following statement, sent to us by a correspondent at Franklin Court-House:
’ ‘
I see it stated in your paper of the 10th that
Franklin,
Patrick and
Henry counties, are the only ones in the
State that have not offered volunteers to aid in defending the
State from hostile invasion.
This, I am proud to say, is not the case.
Franklin has three companies, as brave and fearless as can be mustered in the
State, two of which have been offered to the
Governor, but, as yet, have received no commissions; the other will be offered in a few days.
Patrick has one company, and more are being raised.
Henry has several.--These counties have been slow, but you may rest assured they will do their part,
Private individuals here, one day last week, subscribed $3,000, and the
Court made a levy of $10,000, to equip the volunteers of this county.
From
Chester, Chesterfield county, we have the following, under date of May 18:
’ ‘
Company A of Cavalry, held a meeting to-day at the
Court House, when
Captain H. W. Cox tendered his resignation, which was accepted by the company with much reluctance, in view of his superior qualifications as an officer and of the many good traits of character possessed by
Capt. Cox.
It is understood that
Capt. Cox designs entering the Army of the Confederation, and being a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, will no doubt reflect honor on himself and credit on his
Alma Mater.
He was unanimously elected an honorary member of the company.
Lt. Joseph T. Mason was thereupon elected
Captain of the company; Lt
Geo C. Gregory being promoted to the
1st Lieutenant,
Lt. Geo.
W
Gregory 2d, and
Benjamin Hancock 3d
Lieutenant.--
Mr. J. P. Cox was elected
Orderly Sergeant, who is a brother of
Capt. H. W. Cox, and was for some time at
West Point.
A Spotsylvania correspondent sends us the following appropriate notice of the death of
Oscar M. Critchfield:
’ ‘
The
Honorable O. M. Critchfield, so favorably known as
Speaker of the House of Delegates of
Virginia for many years, expired suddenly on the 15th inst., at his residence,
Green Branch, in the county of
Spotsylvania, Virginia.
From an intimacy of forty years, the writer feels no hesitation in saying that his void will be hard to fill.
For fidelity in the discharge of every duty devolving on him in a public capacity, the people could not have selected one more eligible.
As to his worth and appreciation at home, a more convincing proof could not have been manifested than the mournful lamentations and expressive countenances of his truly bereaved children, relatives, friends and domestics, when he was consigned to his last resting place. J. M. W.
’
A correspondent in
King William county writes:
‘
"The flag raised by me on the 10th of December, 1860, the
first flung to the breeze in this dear old State, still floats proudly.
I promised when it was raised that it should never be lowered until
Virginia had dissolved her connection with that thrice accursed Union; that act will be consummated on Thursday next by the most overwhelming majority ever cast in
Virginia.
When I made that promise I was considered mad by many of my friends; but I spoke the words of truth and soberness."
’
