1861 October 6 Camp Blair

Dear Pa;
I thought yesterday evening that
I would not have an opportunity to write for some time, as all of
us thought we would certainly move before night. We received orders to
pack up everything that we could possibly do without, to be sent
to Manassas, & all of the sick were sent away; six from our Co.
(John Valentine, Henry Seay, Jas. Linon, Binns, Padgett & Nelson) were
sent off – none of them sick much. A great many sick men were
sent off – they were going all day yesterday, last night & are still
coming in – I never saw the like of baggage in my life as they have
at the depot & they are still bringing it in. None of our baggage
has been sent off yet, but we have packed up & piled ^‘up’ on road
side ready to carry off at any time – Our tents are still standing, we
have had no orders about them at all – do n’t know whether we
they will be left here, if we go, or not. I don’t think we will
move to day, for the regular guard was detailed this morning, & Dock
Bibb (who is wagon master now) received orders to go out foraging
this morning. It is very evident that a fight is expected, but
where or when it is to take place, or whether we will have a
hand in it or not, we can’t tell – we know nothing more
about it than you. Some think if we move at all it will
just be to go into winter quarters, I think that is very improba=
ble – Capt. Murray thinks we will go to aquia creek. We hear
various rumors but don’t believe any of them. The Tenesee Regt.
went away yesterday, don’t know where they went -. The Mary=
land Regt. is away now too, have been for two weeks, don’t know
where they are either, we are all know nothings over here

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We are in Gen. Van Dorn’s (the great Texas man) divisision now, was put under him a few days ago – he took Smith’s place. .
I suppose Henry Chiles got home, he left camp a few days ago with
Price Perkins & we have not heard from him since – I was afraid he
would not get through as he has had such bad luck before –
We were very much disappointed when we heard of your being at
Manassa[s] – It seems that you will never be able to get to see us – It
makes us mad to see so many citizens every day get[t]ing off at the
Station, & to think of your being stopped twice & turned back by the
Provost Marshal – P it is certainly very hard – I hope the next time
you start to see us, if you have a pass from the Secretary of
War, you will not consult Mr. Provost Marshall or any body else,
but just come right on; the whole company nearly was disappoint^‘t’
ed.. I am in hopes Bro. John will be able to go home before
very long. I don’t see any prospects for me to go until the 17th
unless I of next April unless I am sick.. I know all of you
will be uneasy & anxious about us until you hear from us again –
you will hear all sorts of rumours, but I hope you will let none
of them disturb you… We would like very well to go to Aquia
Creek to spend the winter – would feast ^‘on’ oystiers & fish….Our bag-
gage has just been sent to the depot – Kit, Bro John & myself
put our things in that trunk – Pen put his in a box with his
Tent mates – some one will be detailed to stay with it – I am
afraid we will lose it as we did at Winchester…You must not
attempt to send us anything until you hear from us again.
I wish you would send me two pair of drawers by Henry Chiles –
I must now bring my letter to a close – we are all well –
my best love to all at home, all friends & accept a large
share for yourself – If we do have a fight we will
certain thrash the Yankees. Excuse bad writing & all

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mistakes – I have bad paper & pen. We will write whenever
we can.
Your devoted and most Aff son
P. E. Jones.

Philip Edloe Jones, Private, Co. E, 13th Virginia Infantry

MSS 13407