1861 September 3 Camp Harrison, Fairfax C. House

Dear Pa,

You no doubt wonder at my not having written to you since I left home as it has been a week to-day but I was prevented from so doing by sickness. I caught a cold the first night I went on guard, which was the second night after my arrival here. It fell in my jaw and was very painful to me. It is getting better but is still very painful. I hope though soon to be on duty again.

Smith and I reached here on the evening of the day we left Front Royal. Found the boys generally well but almost broken down by the fatigue of a long march of some ten or twelve miles which they have to take every few days to go on picket below Falls Church. Our entire regiment with the exception of a guard with some four or five other regiments left here this morning for Munsons Hill some distance below Falls Church. We can see from this point the Capitol, Alexandria and also the Potomac dotted with its little schooners. Can distinctly hear the cars when they come in Washington. Our men are closer now than they have ever been. We have taken possession of several very commanding positions within the last few days and the enemy have fallen back some three or four miles.

Our Regt. will be back in a few days. I hope to go with them the next time. I have not been down yet. Generals Beauregard, Longstreet and Cocke with their aids and a large escort of cavalry went down yesterday morning and returned in the evening. I am wiling to trust all to Gen. Beauregard all the troops have great confidence in him.

Please send my boots down by Jim Brown if they have been finished as these I have are not suitable for a long march. I have not heard from home since I left. Write soon and frequently. I must close. I remain as Ever your affec. son.
R[ichard] B[ayly] B[uck]

P.S. Please send my testament down by the first opportunity. It is up in my room. Col. King will give you the news from our boys on picket. I am very much pleased with our present encampment.

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, Co. B, 17th Virginia Infantry (Warren Rifles)

MSS 5526