1861 June 10 H[arpers] Ferry

My Dear Father:
I have
written less often to you
than I should have done
had my letters to members
to the family been more
seldom, but knowing that
you would see from them
that I was well, and contin-
ued to be comfortably situ-
ated I felt satisfied that
you would understand my
position.

We are now evidently on
the eve of some grand
Military movement, but of its
object, or direction we are

[page 2]
In utter ignorance. I should
be led to suppose that our
destination was the “Relay
House” but the force at
Point of Rocks has been
withdrawn, and this does not
seem indicative of a forward
Movement in that direction.
Again, it might be supposed
we would fall back on Winches-
ter, but yesterday 800 Georgians
arrived ^ ‘here’ from that place, and
to-day 1000 more are expec-
ted. It may be that we are
going to avenge the fall of
Philippi by falling unexpec-
tedly on that part of the
Country with Superior force.
You can probably suggest
the object of the manoeuver

[page 3]
with as much, or more
certainty than I, or any
of the inferior Officers.
Col. Gordon has directed
me to cooperate with the
Company of which I am
Drill-master, and I am
glad of it, as all the
men seem attached to
me, and gratified to
know that I am to ac-
company them. The
Captain of the Company
is a gentleman some 30
years of age at present
Clerk of Alleghany County,
and formerly Editor of
a Covington. He is a
man of good feelings, kind,
and obliging, and may I
think be relied on.

[page 4]
Altogether my circumstances
are quite Satisfactory, my
health good &c.

I know of no news which would
prove interesting. Rumours
are frequent, but utterly un-
authorized. We heard yes-
terday that a member of the
Lbg [Lynchburg] Home Guard had distin-
guished himself by capturing
one of the enemies Scouts
while endeavoring to make
his way through the line
of Sentinels. From the
description given of the affair
I was led to hope and believe
that Steuart Cabell, was the
lucky soldier, and I still
Entertain the same sentiments.
If my conjectures be true
let me know, and give me
a faithful account of the
Capture.

[page 5]
Troops are constantly defi-
ling past us, baggage wagons,
and artillery pieces are
lumbering by, and prepara-
tions for the movement of
the whole are I think
nearly Concluded. To night
probably the march will
Commence. I shall
Continue to write punctu-
ally whenever an oppor-
tunity is afforded, and
will give you an ac-
count of all prominent
Events as they transpire.
Hoping to hear from you
Soon, and to know that you
and all are well, I remain
Affectionately Your Son
Jno. W. Daniel.

Captain Joseph Hannah Carpenter commanded the one
Alleghany County Company in the 27th Virginia, which is what Gordon’s became. The company later transferred to artillery service and became an independent battery. Carpenter was in fact deputy county clerk.” – Robert K. Krick

Colonel William Westmoreland Gordon, 1831-1893


The man referred to at the bottom of page 4 was Robert Stuart Cabell of the Lynchburg Home Guard – R.K.K.

MSS 158