1861 August 7 Fairfax Station

My dear Ann

I have just time
to write you a very few lines--
Danny has just concluded to
go up home after his papers
& I am on the point of going to
the Court house on business, & am
in a great hurry. I was not here
when [Natus?]came yesterday. Did
[Gus?] get my letter that I sent by
Mr. Littell? You said nothing about
it. I got a letter from Osborn
asking for his harvest money--have
you settled with him? Of course
I know nothing about it & have left
all to you. I think he said there was
a difference of some $12.25 between us--

[page 2]
I expected Jim by Natus wagon. You
said nothing about sending him
I expect to be paid off, in a day or
two & will send the money to you as I
only want a little change occasionally.
I dont know how I am to get it up as
opportunities of sending money up home are
now beginning to be rare. I am glad
to hear of Betties improved health.
Keep an eye to her & send her to ride every
morning before breakfast. I would like
to see you all very much..For several
weeks past I have had a sort of a presentiment
that I will not be killed, in this war
but will be taken prisoner--the other
night I dreamed that I was rally[sic]
taken. I have made so many hair-
breadth escapes lately from being shot
that it may be I will not be shot, but
doing the service I am engaged in I

[page 3]
may be taken, well at any events
I would rather be taken than killed.
I could might stand some chance
of being exchanged, or released
on parole, but I could not think of taking
the oath. I send you some flowers
that I plucked from the spot where
Thurmonds battery was taken a fork
a box & some bullets pieces of shells a haversack
& an inferior Zouave cape, dirty & soiled
just as it was picked on the ground give it
to some of the niggers I also send a can
that I cut on the ground when I charged the
Zouaves take it & put it away for me, as it is the
only thing I have as a memento--tell Gus
he must write to his Papa & tell
me all about his mama & little
sisters--There is a rumer current here
that their will be a forward movement
of our army within a few days I am
not surprised to hear it, for we are

[page 4]
anxious to clear the yankees from
the soil of Virginia I feel very anxious
often of you all up there--I only wish
Gen. Johnston would move in this
direction& clear them out You must
keep up your spirits I think the
hardest fighting is over, & would
not be surprised if a compromise
was effected, as there is a great reaction
going on in the North I send a
white shirt home--The check shirt
you sent is very nice. I am sorry you
could not get me some corduroy stuff
for pants--I saw some nice that came
from Hills--We have a plenty to eat here
bread & meat, & sometimes I contrive
to get some cucumbers & other vegetables.
I am better situated, with Gen Elzey than
I was with Col. Stuart--Gen compliments
us very highly & says he wants us presently
attached to his command--Col Stuart
is losing ground with the captains of our
Regt. Capt. Patrick desires me to remember him
to you, he is a good fellow--Archie & Jack are
well as also Fountain--Willy has not made
his appearance as yet--much love to Mother

[left hand margin of page 4]
Tell George & [?] both I would like to stay with
you--God bless & protect you--Goodbye--ever your
husband WAM

[left hand margin of page 1]
Kiss my little darlings for
me & tell them I look for-
ward to the time when I
can come home to see them
very anxiously Tell Edd
to keep an eye
to the hogs & not
let them be stolen as
we have but few--
ever yours

William A. Morgan was a Colonel in the 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment.
MSS 1275