Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
our Army near Washington.
Confederate States Army, Fairfax Station, Va., Sept. 1
Last evening I returned from Mason's Hill, seven miles south of Washington, D. C. Mason's Hill derives its name from the gentleman's name (Capt. Mason, now in the Confederate service at Norfolk, Va.,) who is the proprietor.
Mason's Hill is a very high and commanding position, and about two miles from Munson's Hill, both of which are now fortified and in possession of the ‘"rebels."’
In a straight line from Mason's Hill stands the Capitol at Washington, and which can readily be seen with the naked eye Whilst beholding the dome of the Capitol, I feel like one looking upon the ‘"promised land,"’ where shortly, I hope, ‘"may our possessions be."’ I had the pleasure of seeing Prof. Lowe's balloon, and am sure his observations were of little account to him. The Yankee experiment of ballooning came near receiving a great ‘"pull back,"’ by the firing upon the balloon spy by the Washington Artillery.
Several shots were fired at it, when it immediately ‘"went down."’ Don't suppose, however, ‘"anybody was hurt."’ But, nevertheless.
somebody was scared, for the balloon suddenly disappeared and did not come up again.
Camping at Mason's Hill is interesting and exciting — not a day passing away but a few Yankee pickets ‘"bite the dust."’ Whilst I was there, in one day eight were gathered by our boys, who keep a sharp lookout for the chaps, and give them a dead shot on sight — Several prisoners have been sent to General Davis' institution at Richmond for safe keeping.
By the way, we will soon have a Yankee army on hand.
On the morning of the 30th a large Federal camp, about two miles from Alexandria, broke up and retired, thinking, probably, the ‘"rebels"’ were getting too close for comfort.--They built a large fire, the smoke of which served to cover them as they broke up their camp.
Fine views are obtained from both Munson's and Mason's Hills, of the surrounding country, and also of the Potomac.
Upon the Potomac, large vessels.
There has been considerable sickness in our camp; but, with the cool weather, the health of all the men is improving, and all will be on their feet soon, with musket in hand.
No news at present that I dare tell you. Pen.
N. B.--Envelopes are very scarce.
The man who goes into the manufactory of envelopes in the South, will make a fortune P. 