1861 October 10 Camp near Centerville

Dear Mother

I will this evening
endeavor to write you a few lines
to let you know that I am well
and hope when these few lines reach
you they may find you enjoying
the same blessing. I would have
written by Mr Beard but we were
ordered off on picket so sudden that
I could not do so We went on picket
last Thursday and got back in the next
Tuesday evening about sundown eat our
suppers and was preparing for a good
nights rest when orders came to strike
our tents and prepare for a march
no one knew where we got ready
and started at three Oclock on wends
wednesday morning and soon found ourselves
in Centervill and pitching our tents
I was then detached on guard duty
and was obliged to lose two nights sleep
so that I think you must excuse my bad
writing I would not have written now gut
there is some excitement in camp to
night so that I thought I had better
wright when I have a chance We do
not expect to stay long at this camp

[page 2]
it is expected that the enemy are advancing
and that they are as far as Fairfax C H but I do
not think that it is correct They have
advanced a little I know but not so far
the object of our falling back is to get
a good place to attack them we have
a very commanding position here and
I think we can give them Heail
Hail Columbia if they do not come far
soon. There is some talk of our brigade
going to Winchester, or at any rate, some
of the most influential citizens of the
vally have petitioned that we might [be?]
sent there as there is a body of the
enemy under the command of General
Banks prowling about Harpers Ferry Martinsburg
and the upper [?] generaly. I saw
Andy Whipple to day he happened to pass
our company and I recognized him he said
he knew me the moment he saw me
he made a narrow escape being taken prisoner by
the yankees he had six ball fired at him and
only at the distance of 30 yards a lieutenant
was taken prisoner at the same time. they had
left their picket posts and gone a short distance
for chestnuts when they were surprised by
the enemy and taken I received the things
you all sent all safe except the tomattoes which
were a little mashed the comfort is the very thing
we nee here but it is a little unhandy
carrying about I suppose I need not write
any more as Mr Beard can give you the particulars
of how we live and get along so nothing more at present
but remain your affectionate son T. M. Smiley

Thomas M. Smiley, Co. D, 5th Virginia InfantryMSS 1807