1861 April 5-8 Harpers Ferry, Va.

                                       Harpers Ferry Apr, 5th 61
                        My Dear Sister,
                                  I will occupy
what letter time I have in writing to you, but I have
very little time this evening, as It is nearly time for
dress parade, which takes place at six oclock.
I’ve thought about all of you dear ones at home, very
much to day.  I heard a very good sermon to day,
in this church. (Lutheran) I attended a Sunday
School in the Methodist Church this evening.
Sunday has been very little respected here to day,
but I had nothing to do except to drill, as I’ve
been off duty for the last two or three days.
Marcelus Beadles was put on guard this morning.
& will not get off until tomorrow morning, he
seemed to dislike going on guard very much, as
he wanted to remain to preaching.
I went to see Uncle Phil As[h]by this evening, he
expects to see go to Culpepper as soon as cousine Will
Ashby gets back, cousine Will will be back in a
day or two.  I went up to see Wm. Russel  to day
I think he wants to get home right bad, he got a
letter from home to day, I got a letter from Miss.
I believe I gave Pa all of the news this morning
& it is now most time for parade so I must
stop, but hope I will have time to add a little
more.  Best love to all from yr devoted & most
                                       Aff. Bro. P. E. Jones

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                                            Sunday night
              My Dear Sister,
                                       I now have time to add a little
more to my letter, I hope by writing a little at a
time I will be able to finish a long letter to you.
There is now great excitement in the camp, on
account of a rumo^’u’r  they’ve just heard about having
to go to Gordonsville.  They heard in some way or other
that Letcher has ordered us to Gordonsville, some of the
men believe the report to be true, but I don’t intend
to believe any such thing, without good authority.
I do not see why they would want us at Gordonsville,
unless to send us from there, to some other point.
I’ve Just be come perfectly reconciled, to a soldier’s
life, & expect to have to lead it a long time yet, I
never thought I could get used this sort of life,
but I believe now that if I lead this life, much
longer, I will become really fond of it, in fact
I’m becoming fond of it already.  A camp is
certainly the most corrupt & demoralizing place
in world, I reckon.  I’ve seen things since I left
home, that surprised me very much______________
You asked me if I had used the ginger you gave
me.  well I took one dose on the way here, out of the
bottle, without any sugar & it was the hottest dose
that I ever took in my life,  I spilled the balance
in my pocket.  I’ve been threatened with colic only once
since I left, but was relieved directly, by taking a
little small dram.  I will not keep anything back
from you all at home, that & two other times when I
was complaining, I’ve taken drams, I would not have
taken it then, but I could not get anything else.
I know you will all say at home, that I took three

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too many drams, but I think I am very excusable.
I hope you will think so too.  The temptations are
very great here to a young man, situated as myself,
but I will try to be on my guard against them.
I do n’t think Joe has any idea of going home,
but I believe he could get off very easily if he tries.
It is getting late, so I must bring my letter to a
close.  I hope you do not show my letters to any one
but home folks, as they are written so badly & know
I make a great many mistakes, as I have to write
in such a hurry, & do n’t have time to look over it
after it is written, so you must excuse all imper=
fections.  I will be very glad to meet with Mr. Thompson
& Chiles, don’t reckon Mr. Bickers will be very
anxious to get back again.  My best love to all
of the Ladies & inquiring friends, all at Aunt Cynthia,
& at home, with a portion for yr self.  I am very well
                             Write as often as you can.
                                                             Yr most Aff
P. S.                             Monday                 Bro. Edloe
         It is a dreadful bad day, is pouring down raining.
I intend sending this letter through mail and if you
get it safely, you must write every day, or make
some of the others write.  I reckon you will get this.
some of our men have been getting letters regularly through
the mail, but I’ve put several in the office to some
of you at home, which I do n’t think you ve’ ever
gotten.  Direct yr letters Via Winchester.
I have not eaten all of my cakes yet, I enjoy them
very much, I’m very much pleased with my
striped shirts.  We are all well here.  write often to
                                                Yr devoted Br. Edloe.
Miss Helen M. Jones                              Louisa Blues  

Philip Edloe Jones and his brothers John William Jones, and Francis Pendleton Jones all served in the Louisa Blues, 13th Virginia Infantry. John W. was later famous as the author of Christ in Camp.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13407