From the Potomac.
the Hurricane — Appeal to the young men of the country — our soldiers Aroused by reverses — the Burnside fleet, &c.[Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.]
Company “"A,"” 2d N. C. S. T., Camp Potomac, Va., Feb. 24th, 1862.
I presume it is needless for me to say that we have been blessed with a superabundance of rain, as I see by the papers that it has been the case throughout the whole country.
I think to-day is the first in several weeks that I have been able to see a clear sky, and what to-day lacks in the usual quantity of clouds and rain, it fully makes up in wind; and as I sit here by my solitary fire, writing you this letter.
I can hear it whistling around the corners of my log cabin in a manner that causes a feeling of sadness for the poor fellows who are standing ‘"picket"’ to-night on the bleak shores of the Potomac.
God grant that this wind, which so fiercely shrieks and howls among these old hills, may scatter and destroy the accursed fleet that have recently pillaged and laid waste the beautiful homes of the people of Eastern Carolina.
It is a sad thought to think of the hellish purposes of these scoundrels an foreshadowed by their recent acts on our ast, and I trust it may cause thousands of young men to rally around our beloved flag.
I am a Carolinian, and I feel proud of the ‘"Old North State,"’ and I would, in this letter, make an earnest appeal to those of her young men who have not already enlisted, to spring to her rescue and assist in hunting these vandals from the foothold that they have so recently obtained within her borders.
And not only would I appeal to the young men of my own State, but to those of every State in our young Confederacy.
The late reverses to our arms, contrary to the expectations of some, have but added to the fierce spirit of determination which has characterized our soldiers through this unholy war; and I tell you the day is not far distant when we will teach these miserable hirelings of a besotted Government the fallacy of attempting to subjugate a people who have determined to become free and independent.
I wish some of the ‘"croakers,"’ who are ever ready to meet trouble half way, could see the effect that the late news has had on our troops, and I feel convinced that even they would have their imaginary fears quieted.
What a pity that some people have not the faculty of looking at the bright side of things!
for it produces, to some extent, those effects which the alchemist ascribed to the fabled philosopher's stone — it often transmutes ‘"seeming evil into real good."’ That life has its shadows as well as its sunshine — that its joys are tempered and often brightened by the contrast of its sorrow — is not only the result of a necessary law, but one eminently conducive to our well being.
To such as feel a sinking of spirits at our late misfortunes, I would say-- ‘ "All's for the best — be a man and confiding, Providence tenderly governs the rest,
And the frail bark of his creature is guiding,
Wisely and warily, all for the best.
All's for the best — then fling away terrors,
Meet all your fears and your foes in the van,
And in the midst of your dangers or errors,
Trust like a child whilst you strive like a man."
’ A rumor reached us to-day that Burnside intended making Newbern and Washington his next points of attack. I don't know how true it is, but I do know that when he attacks Newbern he'll meet a resistance he little dreams of. I have recently visited that city, and I was most agreeably surprised to find that the people there had been working with a will and energy not surpassed by any people in the Confederacy — Of course it would be impolitic and improper for me to go into the minutes of what they have been doing, but I can safely say that I have every confidence in their ability and determination to resist any attempt that may be made against them. My candle is burning low in its socket, and by its last flickering ray I close my letter with the promise of a more interesting one next time. Good night. Newberniar.
