The Weekly Register

Winchester, Oct. 10, 1864.

Mr. Editor:—A great deal has been said with regard to the beauty and fertility of this portion of the old dominion. But after all the glowing descriptions that have been given, we presume that it would not be saying too much when we say that the half has never been told. It stretches from the Potomac to the head waters of the James River, a distance of two hundred miles, and averages in width 25 miles, making an area of 5000 square miles, and almost every foot of it is rich, tillable soil.— From the Potomac to Strasburg, is its widest portion. At this latter point, in descending the Valley the Blue Ridge breaks off to the right and the North mountain in the same manner circles off to the left, forming a most beautiful and magnificent amphitheatre. In passing up the Valley on the main pike, you occasionally ascend an elevated portion of the country. From these points you look northward over a wide and beautiful plain variegated with alternate clumps of woods and cleared fields stretching to the base of the North Mountain, which lifts its lofty summit well nigh above the pathway of the clouds. You turn to the South and the same grand and diversified scenery presents itself to view. You cast your eyes to the front or rear and its magnificent landscape unfurls itself, onward and onward, until it is lost in the hazy distance, or shut out from view by its coming in contact with the horizon. On either hand these mighty ramparts which only the hand of Omnipotence could erect stand as immovable as the throne of deity, and apparently designed as Northern and Southern protection against the encroachments of the enemies of the inhabitants who have been so fortunate as to have their lot cast in this most delightful spot of the earth. From Strasburg up, the Valley is more undulating and not so wide but, is nevertheless, a most lovely country.— The whole Valley is a bed of limestones the rapid and constant decomposition of which is invariably adding to the richness and fertility of the soil and the inconceivable quantities of this rock will make its soil absolutely inexhaustible.— Its springs of water are the finest in the world, to which every one who has traveled in the Valley will bear testimony. But there has always been two great causes in existence in the Valley which have ever operated against that rapid increase of its population and wealth that marked the history of other sections of the country, I refer to this land monopoly and human slavery. These two have cursed the Valley and they will curse any country I care not how propitious every other consideration may be. But there is a career of glory and greatness awaiting it in the future. Slavery is gone and with it must perish the land monopoly. These extensive and magnificent farms must and will be divided into 100 and 150 acre lots and given into the hands of energetic, industrious men who with their own hardy hands will till their own soil, and, then, sir, will the Valley "bloom and blossom as the rose and the solitary places thereof be glad."— God never designed that so beautiful a spot of his earth should long remain under the dominion of so black and withering a curse as that of human slavery or that its good acres should be in the possession of the hands of a few to the exclusion and detriment of the many. We are glad to see that the loyal citizens so fast as an opportunity affords itself, are organizing themselves under the government of our own West Virginia. This Valley properly belongs to West Virginia and the loyal people thereof are determined to throw their destiny in with us. All we have to say is "come and go with us and we will do you good, for the Lord hath spoken good concerning our gallant little State"

The 13th is doing duty now at Fisher's Hill. The boys are generally well and in good spirits. I am absent from the Regiment for a few days on duty.— Hon. G. Slack arrived in this place on the 9th. He purposes raising his son —the Captain—who was killed at the Winchester battle while bravely leading his little band of gallant men, in a charge against the enemies of his country. We hope that the much bereaved parent will succeed and that the people of the Captain's native town will give him that reception which his patriotism and valor demand.

W. W. H.