1861 August 25 Camp Near Germantown

My Dear Wife
Having an opportunity of
sending a letter I propose to write a few
lines that you may know of our progress.
Your letter of the 12 inst came to hand
on the 23rd and although I found extreme
pleasure in reading it, yet it had been
on the road such a time that I hard-
-ly realized that I had heard from
the loved ones. Many sad scenes have
occurred since I last wrote you. ( 17th inst)
A very melancholy death occurred in our
Company since that time. I refer to
Charly Robinson’s brother. His body has
been sent home, and will probably
reach Winnsboro [N.C.] Tuesday. He was a
very warm friend of mine, and I
with the whole Company deeply regret to
chronicle the event. It will be a very
severe blow upon his parents as they

will only have heard of his sickness. There
are many deaths occurring in the Regiment
and at this time some Companies number
-ing 80 men ^ ‘before we left home’ can scarcely parade 25 effective
men. The measles and Typhoid fever seem
to be the prevailing diseases. Dan Smith is
still quite low and little or no hopes are
entertained of his recovery. Since I last
wrote you, (last Friday) our Genl received
orders to hold his Command in readiness
to march at a moments warning- This
order was issued to each of the regiments
and at 3 0Clock on Friday the long roll
was beaten, and the Brigade consisting of
four Regiments moved forward in the direc-
tion of Fall’s Church some eight miles
distant, where we expected to encounter
the enemy in considerable force. When
about half way we were ordered to
the right about as the enemy had fallen
back in the direction of Arlington Heights.
Our force moving forward that afternoon
and right from different points – but
centering at one point was said to
be 50.000 men. Numbers of Brigades

were behind and to the right and left of us
and one or two in front which we were
to support in the event of an attack.
We are still under the same orders to hold
ourselves in readiness to move forward.
The night of our return we reached our Camp
at 12 Oclock. From the signs of the times some-
thing very decisive may take place in the course
of the next month. I do not feel so sanguine
about peace as I did some time ago, yet there
is a change taking place throughout the North
which will speak out sooner or later. I very
much fear that many severe engagements
will yet take place before this change will
make itself prominent.
I regret sorely that
I have not got your likeness and the children’s.
It would be a source of endless joy to
have them, for I can scarcely tell in my
mind how you and the little jewels look.
If an opportunity should occur do not
fail to have them taken and sent to me.
Wm Creight has not yet reached here.
We understand he left home last Monday.
I expect a letter and some other tricks by
him. I want you to get me some of the

heavy brown jeans and make me [-] pr of
drawers. Get the thickest to be had. Tell Will
to write me soon. As the young man
who is to carry this is about to leave I must
close. Mr McCants is quite hearty together
with Mr. Glenon. The boys generally are all
well. Johnny wrote to recently. Give much love
to all friends, and accept the pure affection
of your aff husband
J.M. Phinney
This is written very hastily you must
Excuse its appearance

I will probably write again during
the week write soon

James M. Phinney, 1833-1862 Confederate officer from Winnsboro, S. C., in the Boyce Guards militia and the 6th Infantry Regiment; killed in action at Fair Oaks.

MSS 12661