1861 July 11 Camp Johnson

My Dear Pa,
As I have a little time this morning I will
write you a few lines. I don’t believe I’ve written a letter
home myself for sometime, but Pen & Bro. John have written sever-
at times in the last few days. I started a letter to you the
day Toombs left but did n’t finish it ^‘in’ time to send it. I hear
Sargeant Cullen crying out, “fall out Boys for drill”, so I must
stop for awhile…I am interrupted so often that I almost hate
to commence a letter. Your letter to Bro. John & the dispatch sent
to me were received yesterday, we were very glad to hear that all
of you at home were well & that Aunt Cynthia was better.
We expected to move our quarters to the fare [fair] grounds yesterday,
& at one time thought we were about to go on another tramp.
We were ordered about ten oclock to pack up & strike tents
& soon afterwards the whole Brigade with knapsacks on
were drawn ^‘up’ ready to move, the command was then given, stack
arms, rest, after resting about an hour we were again
called up & marched back to our camp. Mr. Kennon rec ^‘e’ived
orders to have two days provisions cooked, but the ^‘order’ was soon counter=manded…We had hardly pitched our tents again before we had
a very hard rain, we have rain here most any time in the even=
ing. I suppose Bro. John & Pen have given you a full accoun^‘t’
of our trip toward Martinsburg. We had a right rough
time of it. I was very sure of having a battle before we returned=
ed, we were drawn ^‘up’ several times expecting an attack. We were
certain of having a fight the day before we left, report of guns
were heard in the direction of Martinsburg, the alarm was given
that the enemy were advancing upon us & all were soon ready
for a brush with the Yankees. Gen. Johnston reviewed all
of ^‘his’ forces when drawn up. Col. Hill reviews his own
Regiment, when he had finished he said “You will do boys”.
Every one seemed eager & ready for a fight….

[page 2]
I’ve just finished dinner. What do you reckon we had? Well
we had “Beef” & some gutta percha bread. I never saw a fellow
eat as Pen does in my life. I can’t begin to keep up to him.
When we were at Darkesville the other day, Bro. John went out to
buy something to eat, he soon came back with a nice young, fat
pullet, as he called it, upon examining the fowl I soon discovered
that she was an old “sit^‘t’ing hen”, the feathers were worn off her
breast she had been setting so long; but that is was a small
matter. I picked her &c & Pen fixed her up for dinner & we enjoy=
ed her just as much as if she had been ^‘a’ pullet, I told Bro. John
that he ought to have gotten her eggs too…..Fall out to drill’ is
the cry again, you see I do n’t have much time for letter writing.
I called on Mrs. Murray this morning for the first time, I w’d
have been before but cd not go, the next day after I got back I felt
too tired in the morning & that evening I was detailed for guard & did
not get off until seven oclock the next evening & yesterday we
were expecting to move & were not allowed to leave camp, so you
see I called on Mrs. Murray as soon as I could, she was right
much complaining. Dr. Quarles was to see us yesterday, I believe
he returns tomorrow. We expect to see [a name lined out] Mr. Cammack in
a day or two. I hardly saw Hyman, [words lined out] he overtook us on the
road, I never saw a fellow so much excited, he could hardly speak.
I would like very much to see you over here, but know it wd
not suit you to leave. Mrs. Murray was packed up ye^‘s’terday
ready to go home, she thought we were going away, I reckon she
will go home whenever we leave this place.

I’ve heard nothing from Martinsburg to day, heard yester=
day that two of ^‘the’ Regiments which volunteered for three months, their
time being out, had left & several other Regiments were going to leave
very soon. I did not understand why we did not attack Martins=
burg, but know it was all right. for Gen. Johnston knows
what he is about….We had a very hot time coming from Darkes=
ville, it was about the hottest day we’ve had to march.

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All of ^‘us’ were very much delighted to hear of our new uniform, for
we certainly need them very bad. I could make out very well myself
without a new uniform, but the most of the boys need them very badly,
& besides we wo^‘u’ld make a better appearance on dress parade. The pants
you sent by Mr. Frennon came safely to hand, I was very glad to get
them. Before we left Harper’s Ferry we received orders to pack up
everything that we could not carry in our knapsacks & send them
to Winchester, they were sent & put in the depot, some time ago
we went to see about them & found all the boxes broken open
& ^‘all of’ the things of any ^‘value’ taken. I lost all of my white drawers, two
shirts, several pr. of socks, the shawl that Cap. Murray lent
^‘me’ & several other things, I also lost the work bag; which I prized
very highly, that Mrs. Cammack gave me. Cap. Murray
lost about fifty dollars worth of things. I’ve not taken off any
of my flannel yet & reckon I had as well not take it
off now at all as I’ve worn it this long. I don’t need anything
just now except a pair of shoes which I can get here, as I’ve
plenty money & it is most pay day. I’ve spent only six
dollars since I left home. The Paymaster’s son was here to
day to see about paying us off, I would not charge the state
of Virginia anything, but I am bound to clear expenses.
It is now most bed time so I must close. My best love to all
& accept a large share for yrself. Yr devoted & most aff son P. Edloe Jones

MSS 13407