>Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
the Eighteenth Regiment of Virginia Volunteers.
Fairfax C. H. July 9, 1861.
As I felt this morning like ridding myself of the noise and bustle of the camp, I have passed out the guards and am now quietly seated in a shady grove enjoying the rare luxury of being close.
While I am here my mind naturally reverts to friends far away, and home with its thousands of lender associations, and since many inquiries concerning us have been recently made by those whom we have left behind and who feel a deep interest in our welfare, I propose through the medium of your columns to give such information as our authorities here will permit.
All things are working well, and if our friends will but wait patiently until the battles are fought, they will read with joy the history of our glorious achievements, and admire the prudence and consummate wisdom used in accomplishing such grand results.
It seems it has been many days since we left our homes to be formed into a Regiment at the Hermitage Fair Grounds, near Richmond.--Strange to say, that in camp life, the days pass swiftly by, but the mouths ‘"drug their slow length along"’ It seems here that seven days in a week, but 4 times 7 days are enough for two months. After we had hidden fare well to your city, and had turned our backs repentantly upon faces beaming with patriotic zeal, with mingled tears and smiles we were cheered with demonstrations of applause throughout the entire route to Manassas Junction, as our long and heavy drown swept on by the stately mansions of the rich and the humble cottages of the poor.
At the dead hour of midnight, and even on towards the dawn of day, we passed little groups of ladies waving their while handkerchiefs and bidding us God speed.
The old men raised their hats above their beads and gave us an approving smile, as much as to say they washed they were young again; and the children caught up by the excitement, leaping with frantic joy, unfurled to the wind whatever they could lay their bands upon.
Upon arriving at Manassas we fully expected to go right into a fight.
We thought we were ordered from Richmond for that very purpose; out after making inquiries, we found we were not so close to the enemy as we thought we were.
The demand for water there was near being greater than the supply but we made out after a fashion.
Wells have been tusk there, and I learn that every regiment has a plentiful supply of good water.
From Manassas we moved to Centreville, distant about seven miles. The water there was excellent.
There were many copious springs in and around the beautiful grove in which we were encamped.
There was like-wise a uniformity in the fasts and quality.
There is nothing more refreshing to a weary soldier than a cup of cool water, and an abundance of this element is essential to his health and comfort.
The soldiers I it that pleasant place with reluctance, feeling confident that in all probability they would not be as well situated hereafter.
The march from Centreville to this point was an easy one of only six miles. The gentle rain that had fallen the day previous had settled the dust, and was not sufficient to make the roads muddy.
It is said we are close enough here to hear the enemy's drum when the wind is right and everything is still On the 4th of July we distinctly heard the firing of cannon in Washington.
From the number of reports during the day, they had a lively time.
Well may they have enjoyed is for at may be the last anniversary the Yankees wide every celebrate in that city.
Our regiment is under the command of Col. Withers, who will no doubt prove himself equal to any emergency that may arise.
Our soldiers are well drilled, and led on by our worthy Colonel and his subordinate officers, I venture the assertion they will make for themselves a name in the coming contest.
We have prayer meetings and exhortations every night in camp, connected our distinguished Chaplain, Dr. Dabney.
By his fervent prayers, his strong reasoning, and good advice, a wholesome influence is exerted upon the minds of the soldiers.
List of officers in the Eighteenth Regiment Virginia Volunteers; Col. Robert. E. Withers; Lieut. Col., H. A. Carrington; Major, G. C. Cabell; Capt. Graves, Company A; Capt. Claiborne, Company B; Capt. Owen, Company C; Capt. Wall, Company D; Capt. Harrison, Company E; Capt. Booker, Company F; Capt. Conley, Company G; Capt. Matthews, Company H; Capt. Luck, Company I.; Capt. Spencer, Company K.
H. 