1861 Octo[ber] 17 Centreville Virginia

My dear little Nannie:
I received yours of 13th in due time
at Fairfax Court House and now since that on ac-
-count of the general confusion growing out of the
falling back of the whole Army to this point to enable
us to resist a threatened movement by Bank’s column
of the enemy after crossing the Upper Potomac by means
of a bridge made of boats between Leesburg and the
Great Falls – It seems to have been the purpose of
the scrubs to get Banks to our rear and then ad-
-vance on us at Fairfax Co. Ho. from Alexandria
but you can readily see how we have avoided this
predicament and when I tell you that the natural
defence advantages ^ ‘of Bull Run’ are being strengthened by earth-
-works now under construction at this place you can
very well determine what will be the fate of the foe
when he meets that Army on the old battle ground – But
it may be that no advance will be made soon as by
this movement on our part the enemy may have to
take time to learn our position and arrange some
other plan of attack –

[page 2]
We arrived here last night at about midnight and by
I slept very comfortably out doors on Clark’s Cot among
his and my own blankets – I had not slept before for
two days & nights – We are on a high hill that over-
-looks the Country for miles around and I would
that you could be here to look out upon the per-
-fect city of tents –
My beard is now more than three inches
long – It does not improve my appearance and before
coming into your presence I would cut it off but
for your request to the contrary – I am a good deal
thinner than when I left home and on that account
I think it is that I feel so well and can perform
so well the sometimes tedious marches -
The Boots by Mr. Henderson (?) have not yet
arrived – I fear they never will and on that account
I must ask that the other pair be sent by some one
who will certainly deliver them to me – The tops of
those I have with me cannot be “footed” –
Whenever Callahill is ordered home away I will
send him - I kept him at the solicitation of Clark
more to take care of his horse and camp fixtures
than to wait on me –
I have not yet heard of the return
of Woodie Latham but understand he may be here to
day –

[page 3]
I do not know whether we will be camped here
or at some point above or below this on Bull Run –
You will please address me at Manassas
Junction when we will send for our mail here-
-after – I suppose I will get your last letters f to
me at Fairfax Co Ho from the Office at Manassas
We are threatened with rain this morning
otherwise the weather is very pleasant –
I write as usual in a great hurry on
my valise and seated on the top of a wagon
loaded with baggage – By the bye my cloths are
nearly all clean and in pretty good order – You
will be surprised to see how well I have kept
them when you see them in next month –
Give my love to all at home and never
think of me except as little Nannie’s
little Nannies Own
Choctaw
P.S. I forgot to say that the Yankees went through all the Cannon
& musketry firings at Fall’s Church yesterday – it was in my opinion
only a feint on their part to arrest our attention from threatened
movement above on the Potomac for we had no force there to be fired
upon – I think that an effort to reach Richmond by Acquia Creek
will be made & if any engagement is had here it will be a light one –

William A. King, Captain of the Saltville Light Artillery

MSS 6682