1861 September 2 Camp Fairfax Station

My darling wife

I have written you two letters since
my return to Masons Hill and I am
now writing a third which I am not
certain whether you will get it or not
as I have just been informed that all
mail is stoped for the next 10 days--if
this is true you will only hear from me
& I from you by such persons as may
be passing. This I will try and send
to Gordonsville by Lieut Houck--

I am again on duty as field officer
but dont expect to trouble the pickets
much to day I did not last night cer-
tain. I am very anxious to hear how
you got home, though I suppose very
safely for I learn that you were un-
der the care of Dr. Jones--I want to hear
what the children said & talked about
I have their hoops still in my tent
to remind me of their romp & hap-
piness as they ran down the hill &
round the camp. I made Billy tell
me over &over everything they & you said

[page 2]
and how you looked--and he tells it
all over. Sometimes he will commence to
tell it without my asking. But to tell
the truth I am glad you are all at home
for we are expecting orders every day
and I dont want to be compelled to
start again from camp & leave you
all behind.

I am just now ordered to go and
draw in one company of pickets--
the 13" Reg [Va. Infantry] is ordered to Munstons [i.e. Munson's]
Hill & will march imediately, and
as I must close this now to be
in time for the mail you must
be satisfied with a short letter
to day

Affectionately
E. T. H. Warren

[Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry]

John William Houck, Lieutenant, Co. G, 10th Virginia Infantary [John P. Mann, IV

[annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g