1861 October 23 McLean's Ford

My Dear Creek

I have just returned from another tour
of Picket duty and am very happy to find your kind
letter of the 15th inst awaiting me, but am sorry that I
cannot encourage you in the hope of our spending the winter
in South Carolina, such a rumor has been going the rounds
of the camp, but it is only a supositon grounded on the
speach of Governor Pickens at Sandy Springs, and I think
that our being sent home before our time is out, highly
improbable, no one would be more happy to have it so
than myself, but I know the safety of our cause will not
admit of it as present, and I am willing to suffer any
disapointment or Privation for the good of our country.
As to my revolunteering when our time is out--circumstances
must alone decide, should our country still require my
services, I feel assured, you would be the last one to throw
any obstacle in the way of my serving her. Much as we
both wish to be together, but my Dear Creek this is not
a time for us to consult Personal feelings we must take
a wider view of the subject, and the confidence which
my fellow Citizens have reposed in me, in placing
me in the high position which I now occupy, calls upon
me not to retract until until our liberty is accomplished
and the honour of our Family also demands it--will it not

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to a greater source of happiness for our posterity to say my
Father did his duty in the great struggle for our independence,
then to have it said your Father only half accomplished the
duties required of him, Think on the subject in this light
and trusting in the great God of Battles who has hitherto been
our protector a happy future will still be ours.

I have not yet recieved the Box but understand it is at
Manassas Junction I will send after it tomorrow.
I have also recieved good news about Jimie today from a
Richmond paper, I see he has been released from imprisonment
and is on his way home, Our authorities some time recently
released all of the wounded Prisoners who were taken on
the field of Manassas, and the Yankees have released the
same number of ours in return, and among that numger
is the name of Jas. N. McFall which I think must be
Jim the N only being a mistake so I think if he is not
already home you may look for him shortly. Roger Pinkny
is also among the number but Robt Lewis' name is not among
them, I know this will be joyful news to you all, as well
to us, and I think it may be relied on as the Richmond
Paper had copied it from a Northener one.

Another Battle has also fought (which has resulted in
our favour) at Leesburg Va on the 21 the enemy about
twelve thousand strong crossed the Potomac at two
points and attacked our forces (who were ready for them)
under the command of our old General N.G. Evans who
had only twenty five Hundred men six cannon and two
troops of Cavalry but the gallant little drove them
back taking 520 prisoners three cannon and it is supposed

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about 300 of them were drowned in the river in the rout
Evans having drove a whole regiment of them into the river
at once, this is when he took all the Prisoners, General Baker
who commanded the northern troops was killed in the
Action, and 400 more reported to have been killed
and a report just come to camp states that 300 more prisoners
have been taken, and that the loss on our side is about
350 killed and wounded. General Evans sent here to
Beauregard, for Reinforcements--and wished our Regiment
to be sent, but we being out on Picket duty at the time
the fifth Regt S. C. Col Jenkins were sent in our place
this report of the fight may be relied on (as I have it
from authentic sources) excepting the last 300 prisoners
reported to be taken which needs confirmation.

The weather has been wet and unsettled for several days
but has clearled off this evening and is now cold and
windy with the prospect of remaining cold for some
time at least the weather Prophets in the neighbourhood
say so. The Health of our Regt still continues to improve
and begins to look like a Regt once more.

William is well and sends his love to you all he says
he will write tomorrow, he is in very high spirits about
James. Rember me to all of our friends.

Kiss our little darling Maggie for me and tell her papa
will come home to her with Prettys as soon as I can find an
opportunity--Good By Dear Creek May Heaven guide
and protect you, and shed its richest blessings upon
you

Your affectionate Husband William

[crosswise on page 4]
The Southern Confederacy has given
me five quires of Paper so I am in
town again for writing.

William Anderson, Captain Co J 4th South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366