1861 September 1 Camp Fairfax Station

My darling Jennie

I dropt you a line yesterday im-
ediately on my arrival here but had no time
to give you the particulars of our expedition
We arrived at our destination about 9 O clock
the night we left camp. Masons Hill is situated
about 2 1/2 miles N. E. of Annandale which is
about 8 miles from Fairfax Ct H in the di-
rection of Alexandria- Masons Hill is a bea-
utiful eminence, the residence of Capt Mason
late of the U S Navy. It is as elevated as Mon
ticello--from it we had a full view of the
capitol at Washington & a large number of
the enimies camps. Munstons [sic] Hill which
is fortified & occupied by our troops is about
1 1/2 miles beyond [?]the enimies right, and
is a more important position than Masons
Hill. From our position we posted in
a half circle 1 1/2 miles in front a very
strong picket the out posts of which are
so near the enimy that the men repor
ted that they could hear them call their
Roll. From our position you might readi-
ly suppose that our pickets would frequently

[page 2]
have an opportunity of exchanging compliments
with the yankeys and such was the fact, every
hour or so we would hear a volley fired either
by our men or at them--The next day after
we arrived it continuing to rain very little
was done--but early next morning Major Wal
ker who was field officer of the day discovere
d
while posting his pickets, that the yankeys oc-
cupied a house not over 400 yards from our pick
et--from which they were reconontering[sic] our
position. Walker returned to camp and
got 17 volunteers & routed them completely
although they had double his number. He
killed 2 & probably 3 of them & wounded
others who made their escape. Walker acted
very bravely indeed--that evening one of capt
Youngs men brought down another at a dis-
tance of 400 yds & brought off his gun & blanket.
The next morning the Yankeys with 100
picked men attempted to supprise the pick
et commanded by Capt Chrisman & Covington[?]
our men were too smart for them again
and opened fire on them the moment
they made their appearance killing 2 &
from the blood left on the ground wound-
ing several others--In all this we lost
not a man
nor had we
neither killed
or wounded immediately after this last little

[page 3]
break we left for our old camp--but I have
since learned that after we left the Enimy
sent in a flag asking leave to bury their
dead 7 in number. From the time we left
until Thursday evening it Rained incessant
ly. The night we got there I did not pretend to
eat supper but just laid down as I was with
guns suit shoes spurs & everything else on and
slept till morning. I did not get really dry
until friday about noon and am only surp-
rised that I did not get sick--our men were de-
lighted with the position & the spirit of killing yan-
keys. But it was no fun to me--I could not help
thinking every moment of those I left in my tent--Oh
my darling I am really sorry you all came down for
before I only wanted to see you now it is worse and
besides I cant but feel so sorry for you all after all your
trouble to get to see so little of me--Tell Jim
that Papa saw the yankeys & that the men shot
& killed some of them, and papa did not get
hurt this time--the truth is Papa was not close
enough to be hurt. I Recd your letter left here
for me, and it made me feel mighty sorry for
you I tell you, but must say I am satisfied
you did right to leave for since our Return
we have Recd orders to hold ourselves in readiness
to Return at a moments notice.

[page 4]
In relation to your sending my overcoat
I have concluded to get me one made--the
one I have will not turn water a half
hour--I will want for winter a suit of
homemade goods including the overcoat &
will hereafter send a discription of the
material & the way I want them made.
I dont want you to go to Harrisonburg
for 10 days yet--for I am going to try the
Richmond trip again

Love to all kiss the children
Ever yours

E. T. H. Warren

Munstons Hill a misspelling of Munson's Hill
Major Walker: Samuel T. Walker, Major of the 10th Va. Infantry
capt Youngs: William Townsend Young, Captain, Co. K, 10th Va. Infantry
Capt Chrisman: George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Co. H, 10th Va. Infantry
Covington: William D. C. Covington, Captain, Co. I, 10th Va. Infantry

[with thanks to John P. Mann IV for the above identifications]
[Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry]

[MSS 7786-g]