1861 August 7 Camp Fairfax Station

My darling wife

Yesterday I went to the Junction
12 miles from here. I found it a very
dirty stinking place & learning that
Ned was encamped 3 miles down
the R R I left early & spent the
day at his camp. I enjoyed it
very much although I found their
regiment in rather a state of disor-
ganization--Remembering as I do
what a splendid regiment it was
and with how much spirit they
entered the contest, I could not help
feeling grieved to see them as they
are. I left them after 5 & got
to our camp just at nine at night
having met but little dificulty in
finding a strange road through a
long dark woods. At the Junction

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I found my new uniform which is first
rate & beautiful & I turned out in it this
evening at dress parade which was in
strong contrast with our rag[g]ed regiment
The truth is 1/4 of our men are bare
footed half of them cannot hide their
nakedness but
for
are as rag[g]ed as
they can be. we are doing all
in our power to get shoes & clothes
for them & hope to succeed shortly.
Col Gibbons was taken to day with
a severe hemorage [sic] from the lungs
had two before dinner but is I
think a little better this evening--he
is in no imediate danger & will not
be if he takes proper care of himself
The command of the Regiment of course
falls on me & hence there is not
now the slightest possibility of a
furlough for me--I had still hoped
for it against all discouragement &
will now have to rely on a visit from
you & the children which I hope

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will certainly take place at an early day
Tell Jim he shall sit on Papas lap and
little daughter too & shall sleep in Papas
tent right close up to Papa--and eat
out of a tin plate of Papas mess chest-
but they must not be in too great a hurry
nor too impatient about it because it
will be several days yet before the
bridges will be put up so that they
can come I look forward with great
pleasure to the visit & so much afraid
that we may be ordered off before the
bridges are done that I am sometimes
quite nervious[sic] I will get my pay
this week and will send you a
good pile of it So you may do as
you please--Tom Pennybaker has
been & still is quite sick with my
old complaint--he would soon be
from well if he would eat prudently-George
Chrisman has also been ill & still is
from same cause--among our men
we have a good deal of sickness, but

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I hope nothing serious at present.
I am very much obliged to Mr Binot[?]
for his very good opinion of me and
I can assure him that I full re-
ciprocate it. I have taken a great
fancy to several of Neds men, but like
Mr B rather better than any. I hope
the prospect of paying me a visit
has had the effect of curing both
you & Jimmie, at any rate I hear
nothing further from you on the
subject--I am surprised that
any objection should be made to
your visit since the Mrs Johnson
paid their visit & came out so well
If they why not you. I will
attend to the pass question--If one
is necessary I think I can pro-
cure it, if not I will know all
about it--at present a pass from
any genl of Brigade passes you
anywhere. Kiss my babys & give
love to the girls & Florence

affectionately E.T.H. Warren

Line 1  "Junction" is Manassas Junction

Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry
Thomas Jefferson Pennybacker, Adjutant, 10th Virginia Infantry
George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry

[thanks to John P. Mann IV for the above identifications]

officer and later Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry.

MSS 7786-g