er idea of the real grandeur and sublimity of these dense volumes
of black, agitated smoke, brightened betimes with lofty flames of
liquid fire that seem to lift themselves in the fury of their madness
to the very skies.

REBEL LETTER.

This letter, written by a rebel soldier, was found on the battle-ground
at Bentonville, N. C.

BIVOUAC NEAR "RACCOON FORD," VA.,
September 25th, 1863.

DEAR COON--I have just received your kind favor of the 8th inst.,
and am very much gratified with its contents. I could not expect a
long letter from a soldier "in the field," and I suppose your time
was fully taken up reorganizing your company and regiment.

Since last writing you we had some little excitement ourselves.
The Yankee, Meade, has tried to take advantage of our supposed
decimated army, and has advanced across the Rappahannock river to
the banks of the Rapidan. We have here checked his advance and are
awaiting the attack which he is very slow about making. I think
both sides are awaiting the decision of the battle in Tennessee and
Georgia before a move is made.

We are daily in receipt of glorious news from Bragg, but there are
so many rumors without foundation that we hardly know what he has
done. I hope he will not rest until he has driven the foe across
the Ohio. You have our brag fighting general with you now, and I
know you will be victorious.

I have not heard a word from "Miss Mattie" since I left home, and
if the truth must be told, I never want to again. I have found a
new sweetheart, and I think the change is more agreeable, at least
to me. I suppose you know that Miss Katie Furlow's father is
running for Governor; of course you will support him.

You recollect that pretty little woman that I showed you in the
theatre in Augusta, the one I said was the belle of Augusta--Miss
Fannie Hatch. Well, I have been told by one who knows and believes,
that "Albert," who performed with the "Queen Sisters" that night,
has betrayed her. I can scarcely believe that so much loveliness
would have fallen so easily, yet they say 'tis true.

I shall anxiously wait to hear further from you in reference to the
lieutenancy. If you are successful in securing it for me (which I
hope and pray you may be,) I shall be ever grat