1861 May 12 Harpers Ferry

My Dear Sister,
Though I’ve Just written
a long letter to Pa, I’ll write to you this evening,
but I will not be able to give you much news.
I went to the catholic church this morning, the house
was crowded, it is a very fine church. There will
be preaching this evening on the parade ground, but
I ca n’t go as I was away this morning, we are
not allowed to go away in the morning & evenings too.
We have n’t drilled any to day, & I hope we will not drill
any more on Sundays hereafter, for I do n’t think it
is necessary…….. I saw Cousine Will Ashby this
morning, have nt seen cousine Will Russel for a day or two.
I have good many acquaintances here. I met with
Garnette Wil^’l’is som[e]time ago, I did n’t know him.
he is a very nice fellow……The Co (Bob Freeman
Cap) that we are quartered with, is the worst & rowdiest
set in the place. I reckon, there is not more than
five or six nice fellows in the co. they’ve had three fights
amongst themselves since we got here, two of them
had a big fight this evening , & a one got his arm
broken a few days ago fighting. We do n’t associate
with them, anymore than we can help.
It is reported about here today that Maryland has seceded

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but there are so many false reports now that I do n’t
know how to believe it, hope it is so, but I reckon
if it is true, there will be some fighting soon somewhere.
I’ve never thought we were going to have a fight here yet
but once, & that was the night we were all called out &
it was said that the enemy was in sight, I thought
then we were certainly going to have a fight. I do n’t
believe we are going to have a fight here at all now.
Five hundred Mississipians are expected this evening
& eight hundred more tomorrow, a great many of
their arms arrived this evening.
Joe & I’ll have our daguerrotypes taken whenever we can
get off together, & will send it home by the first opportuni-
ty……………I do n’t do much washing now my
self, I only wash my handkerchiefs & towels, I have my
shirts & colars washed out. I’ll send all of my ^ ‘white’ shirts
home, but one by the first opportunity, & the other things
that I do n’t need. My new pants & jacket fits
me first rate. Tell ^ ‘Miss’ Mary Walker that Joe thinks his
pants are made very nicely, they fit very well.
I know you broke yrself down working for us, for
I’m certain you worked as hard as any body else.
I think we have the prettiest flag here now, we’ve
carried ^ ‘it’ out twice……………….Our fare has be
improved a goodeal lately, the cooking is a good deal
much better, but it is still Beef. Mr. Bickers, Joe,
Marcelus, Jesse Porter & myself bought a “Jug of Molasses”
day before yesterday, so we’ve been faring very well


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since. Joe & I got a cup of milk yesterday, three cents
a cup, & some pies, which we enjoyed very much.
I think I would enjoy a piece of corn bread very muc^’h’
I’ve not seen a piece since I left home atall.
A fine lot of [-] passed just now, that were
stopped here last night on the way to Baltimore, I
wish they had been hogs, as they are for us.
A part of the Mayrland Legislature arrived to day, they
came to see Col Jackson & co, & are now at Head Quarters,
they number about fifty I believe.
I intended writing to cousine Julia, but as Mr. B.
has written & I have very little time, I will put
off writing until some other time, tell her not
to be uneasy about Mr. Bickers, his cough is better,
I am in hopes that Cap. Murry will get him off
when he returns. I must stop now. My best
love to Miss Daisy, & Lute Payne & all of my lady
friends. I was sorry to hear of Lutes complaining
hope she is well by this. I will try to take
good care of myself. Love to all at home, to yrself
& all of the Blacks. write soon to yr devoted &
most aff Bro.
Edd
Miss Helen M. Jones
Louisa CH P.E. Jones
Va Harpers Ferry.