1861 August 9 Camp Fairfax [Virginia]

My dear Sister,
As I will have an opportunity of
sending a letter home by “Harry” I will write you a few lines though Bro.
John has written a long letter to some of you & given you all the news.
Everything is very dull & quiet in camp. We hear a great many reports, though
but we don’t place much confidence in any of them, it was reported here yesterday
that Louis Napoleon was at Fairfax CH….We were somewhat disappointed
at not getting a letter from home last night as a good many of the
boys received letters, but we expected that you were waiting to write
by Crocket, who is looked for today or tomorrow & we are sure of get[t]ing
letters then. Harry will have a good many letters to carry home.
Lieutenant Bird arrived last night, he looks right badly, & I
hope sincerely that he will be able to justify himself in going home.
Our whole Regt. got uniforms day before yesterday, it is right coarse
but is much better than our old uniform, I am very much pleased
with it myself, the pants are light grey(not as heavy as the old ones) & the
shirts are bluish woolen & cotton. We have n’t gotten the caps yet.
The Regiment looks a great deal better when they are all uniformed
alike. Col Hill is at Manassa[s] attending a court martial.
Lieu. Col. Walker is get[t]ing well & I hope will be able to join us
before very long. Major Terrel has command of us at present.
[Major James Barbour Terrill, 1858 graduate of V.M. I.]
Pen is on guard now, I came off last night. I reckon
our Company will be on guard picket to night or tomorrow night.
Bro. John was detailed yesterday to go after wood.

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I know Bro John has n’t left any news for me to write so I will
not attempt to give any but just tell you something about the boys,
how all of us are get[t]ing along. I am sure there is not a happier
set of fellows in the world than I am we are. I wish you could
spend a few days with us & then you could see how well
we get along together & how contented we are. As for eating, we’ve
been living like Kings since we have been here. We^‘Our mess’ had corn for
dinner a day or two ago, have milk nearly every day, green
apple pies, blackberries, fish & a good many other things
that are nice occasionally. Harry makes first rate biscuit.
We will cook for ourselves while Harry is away, Pen & Payne
profess to be very good cooks, so we will put them to cooking.
We’ve put up two harbours, one to eat in & the other to sleep ^‘sit’ under
& some of us sleep under it. We have three drills a day, one
half after five, another half after eight & Batal[l]ion drill & dress parade in the evening….We are very much pleased with our gaiters
& are very much pleased obliged to you for them. Bro John’s fit Mr
Kennon & Cousine Dock & they say they would be very much
obliged to you for a pair of the same. I am very much obliged
to Pa for the map he sent me, it is a very nice & good one.
It is so warm that I must bring my letter to a close.
Do you recollect whether Miss Lute Payne ever got my
letter or not. I put it in al letter to you & mailed it on the
road from Romney. My love ^‘to’ Miss Lute & Daisy & tell
Miss Daisy I will answer her letter ^‘before’ very long, I reckon
she thinks I am going to take it out in talking. Kiss the
Baby for me. I wd give anything to see her. I dreampt I
saw her the other night, thought she had on short dresses & was

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beautiful: has she any talk yet? I was sorry to hear
of Joe’s complaining, hope he is well by this. Excuse bad writ=
ing & all mistakes, I know I make a great many mistakes.
Garret is better to day, he is not sick much. My
best love to all at home, all of my friends & accept a
large share for yr self. Write soon to yr devoted & most
affectionate Bro.
P. Edloe Jones
Harry will give you all of the news. I am afraid you
will not be able to read this – Be sure to give my love to
Belle [?] & his little Bro [?].
Miss Helen M. Jones Ed
Louisa CH
Va Send some wafers if you please
Pen sends his Jacket & pants in Harry’s knapsack.
Henry, Chiles is very well – [The comma after Henry must be an error.]

[Page 4] Miss Helen Jones, Louisa CH, Va.

French Emperor Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1808-1873) did favor the South and received diplomats from the Confederate government. For another account see the letter of William F. Brand, August 10, 1861

MSS 13047