1861 July 24 Manasas

                      Manassas  July 24th Wed

Dear Mama
                       As I am at leasure I
will write by Dr Daniel or Mr Nelson
who are here,  We were ordered here to
head quarters yesterday evening to receive
orders to march we got none yesterday
but expecting every hour to get them we
have brought in all of our men who
were detached Wills Wm A &c  we will
go to Acquia creek or Alexandria one
  We took 17 cannons 120 horses & about 20
baggage waggons, I send by Wrights
Ben a saddle & blankets & by Mr. Carroll
a very good pistol presume Pa would
like to have oone I shall be able to get
more I think Pa can have molds made
for it by Harriss Chiswill.  the things
spoken of is what our Co took there
were about 50 of us took the things
but only 15 of us charged upon a co of
Yankees took 11 prisnors in that charge but
9 or 10 vollies were fired upon us from
a Regiment 75 yards off & we had to
retreat leaving prisnors but our Co in
all took 44 prisnors

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Major Scott led us he spoke very
roughly to Davis on the battle field
Beginning of charge we wrode too
fast did not give straglers time to
get enough distance in behind, rode
upon a Regiment before seeing them
instead of right about retreat Davis
drew us in line to wiat[sic] for them
to get [up further?] in perfect range with
their cannon  Scott came up & cursed
Davis. Davis is fery[sic] anxious to get
clear of Scott in fact he is nothing
but our captain, he wont allow his
men to be fatigued by extra duty
Well I am in hopes to get back
soon to tell you all the news
a few more rounds will deside
it & in our favor every piece
of cannon they had in the battle
has been taken 43 prisnors A L H
took nearly halfe  Love to Papa
Letty Jim & every body, tell Sis [or Liz]
to write to cousin   Amanda & tell
her the news I have not time your
devoted son Wm H Burnley

William Henry Burnley, 1840-1919, Co. K, 2nd Regiment Viginia. Cavalry

MSS  7871