1861 April 5 Harper's Ferry

[letter of Philip Edloe Jones continues]

                                      Sunday morning Apr 5th/61
         Dear Pa,
                        I will add a little more to my letter
but I have not much more time to write.
It is a very fine morning, has cleared off beautifully,
it snowed yesterday for an hour or two as hard as I
every saw it snow.  We have had some right cool weather
in the last week, & it is still right cool.
I expect to go to preaching this morning in the
Methodist Church.  It makes me think more about
home Sundays, than any other time, Sunday is very
little, if any more respected here than any other day.
   Every thing is very quiet now, not much excitement.
   Five hundred Kentuckians were expected here yester-
day evening, I did n’t hear whether they arrived.
I would like to have Penny here with me very
much, hope he will come on yet.  I got acquainted
with some Robertsons the other day, Ma’s relations.
I will be very glad to see Mr. Thompson & Chiles,
hope they will be on here soon.  We all miss Hyman
& Mr Lane very much, Hyman was fine amusement
for us, & he was a great deal of service to us, my
respects to him.  It is said we can get letters
through mail now, I hope you all will write very often.
I was very fo sorry to hear of Jim’s sickness,
hope he is well by this time.  Ask Mattie when
she is coming over to wash for me?  Tell her she
must come over with Mr. Bickers.  I wish Jim &
Nead would write to me, I would like very much
to get a letter from them.  I’ve been expecting a
letter from Sister Page, but have been disappointed
this far, tell her she must write to me soon.

[page 4]
I want to see you all at home very much,
I reckon the Baby has forgotten me before this
time, but she knew me the night I started, though I
had on my uniform.  I have no idea when I’ll
get home, I reckon I’ll be amongst the last to go,
as I don’t expect to beg anybody to let me go home.
Our fare had been better for the last two or three
days, the “Beef” has n’t been quite as tough as
ususal, the reason for it, is I do n’t, but I hope it is
because all of the “Old Cows” have been killed, &
we are getting to the young ones.  I will never
want to see any more Beef after getting home.
My best love to all of the Ladies & all inquiring
friends.  Joe & I got a very nice letter from Miss
Lute Payne, yesterday, my love to her & thank her
for it.  My best love to Mrs. Cammack, & thank
her for the nice work case she sent me.
  Write very often, I’ll write as often as I can.
                          My best love to all at home
& at Aunt Cynthias.  From yr devoted &
                       Most Aff  Son
                                             P. Edloe. Jones.
                                                    Louisa Blues
                                                        Cap. Muray
Direct yr letters through mail, Via Win chester
                                                              Edloe
Col. J. W. Jones

Phillip Edloe Jones, was one of three brothers from Louisa Court House, Virginia, who fought in the "Louisa Blues" 13th Virginia Regiment.  The other brothers were Francis Pendleton Jones and the Rev. John William Jones, later famous as the author of "Christ in the camp."                          

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13407