1861 August 21 Germantown near Fairfax [Virginia]

My Dear Creek,

As Col. Taylor of Pendleton starts for home this
morning I have risen at an early hour to write to you,
you will see by this that I have again joined the Regiment, my
visit to Culpepeper [sic] did me a great deal of good. I feel as strong
and vigorous again as I ever did, and feel perfectly able to perform
any duty that may be required of me. I found William in
the injoyment of good health, on my return, he stands the
fatigues of a camp life better than any man here.

There is still a great deal of sickness in the Regiment but I think
it is not quite so bad now as it was when I left it, there is no
new cases of Typhoid fever that I know of and the measels are
getting through all the men pretty much, and most of them
are getting clear of them pretty easily, The Palmetto Riflemen seem
to suffer more than any other company in the Regt--I know it
must be creating a great deal of uneasiness about home
to see so many of them coming home dead and sick, but I trust
that it is nearly all over now and that the Regiment will soon
be restored to its usual health, I have not heard anything
from Bob Keys since the day I left Culpepper-he looked very
bad than, and I though would not live many days longer
I Telegraphed to R. Hubbard to tell his father of his sickness
I hope he received it on Saturday last. my reason for sending it

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to bob was for feaar Crawford was not at home and he would know
where to find him, John Cochran showed some symptons of Typhoid
Fever also but I would not say anything of this to his mother as I may
have been mistaken, he certainly was a great deal worse than he
had been, but I have not heard anything from him since I left
the others who were their sick were all doing very well and getting
better fast,--I should like if you could get me as much Blue
homespun Jeans as make me a suit of clothes coat vest and
pants; my Company are all going to write home this week
to have their friends make it for them and uniform in it
for the winter, as soon as they get it ready we are going to send
Stephen Breazeale home with the measures and cut the suits
at Belleln & Anderson, and have you all to make them for us
and bring them on with him to us, they will have to be either
doubled in the Backs or lined with flannel, let me know
if you think enough can be made in the neighbourhood
to uniform the company it will take about (600) six hundred
yards, besides the linings, you should all try and make
arrangements to have it all dyed in one stand so as to have it
all as near one colour as possible, you can cut the pants yourselves
and make them but the coats and vests will have to be all cut in
Military style with standing colors &c I hope you will all
go into this thing in earnest, as the cold weather is fast
approaching, and cloth for uniforms cant be had at any
price and our men are beginning to get hard up for them
alrready. Let as many of your neighbours as have friends here
know of this, as you can, and any others who will be wiling
to assist you all in it. tell them we dont ask it for nothing

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at their hands but are willing to pay them for it. The
funds for that purpose being already placed in my hands
and I will send Breazeale just as soon as you can get it ready.
You had better have me two pair of pants made as you know I am
a pretty hand on them, line them through with shirting
inside and put stiffening in the feet, keep them a little
wide in the legs but to fit well about the body.

Creek you dont know how I was wearying to hear from you I only
got your last letter last night, it had been ten days on the road.
I had heard of your being on the cars when the accident happened,
and not hearing from you since I just came to the conclusion
that you or Maggie had been hurt, and you could not write
to me, and you may depend I slept soundly last night when
I heard that you were all safe, if I have not heard from you soon
I would [have] been in South Carolina in a few days in spite of
Beauregard and all of them. Poor Little Mag I reckon she did some
crying when she got her hand cut, let me know in your next if it
is well again or whether it was a bad hurt, I reckon jane got a
proper fright as she is so easily scared anyhow, but I will have
to close as Mr Taylor will start soon, and Bob Smith who is writing
also is rocking the table so that I can scarcely us it at all.
Kiss our little Darling Maggie for me and tell her to Kiss
you for papa. Give my love to Mother, Father and all of our
friends

Your affectionate husband,
William
we have not heard any further particulars about James, William sends
his love to all of you, Gambrell[?] Andrew Wardlaw, and Billy Holland are
well.

4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366