P. S. Being as yet unable to get my letter off I have determined to add more to it. Your letter and fathers of the 1st & 2d Inst. was brought down to me form camp this morning and eagerly read. Also Saturday's Whig: the papers indeed are all received and read with avidity by myself & many others. The Whig recd this morning is already in the hands of the fifth reader. I am very grateful for the pains you have all taken in making up my box which I suppose came down on Friday, scarcely further than Manasses, however I do not know in view of the circumstances before stated, when I shall get at, but will of course as soon as possible. Meanwhile I have but few fears for its safety & can get along with a borrowed over-coat until I get my own. Tell father not to fear my abandoning any great coat in a retreat: we can always drape such things on the limbers & cassions, and indeed never ourselves carry, unless wearing it, ought besides our own canteens & haversacks on a march. Just now the contents of my box will be safer probably at the Express Office at Manassas than anywhere else: of course however I will let you know when I get it. Father enquired what prevented Rev. D. P. from sleeping on a bunk. The answer is probably that it was too hard, and too spare. Bunks are rough bedsteads, raised about a foot from the ground, made generally for two men and always constructed by the men themselves with forks and cross pieces cut from the wood, covered either with boards or hurdles. These bunks serve as seats by day. Tell papa his insinuation about boys is baseless. I am sincerely gratified to hear of bro M's Captaincy. I have long anticipated as much. As respects writing home I hope you will bear in mind that whenever I can I will write home once a week, at least Sometimes however it will be impracticable, and probably ere long. Often the scarcity of materials will prevent it, they are very scarce now. In letters from home until further directions please send me a sheet or half sheet of paper & envelope. Direct to Fx St. I like to write home and will always do it frequently when I can. I am going to have to write in pencil but can do no otherwise now.
[page 2]
Last Sunday I spent about as appropriately as any since I have been in the army. though we off on picquet I carry a pocket "Test.& Psalms" always about me and brought a prayer book in my haversack. With these and some little books and tracts I had I found no lack of suitable employment. I read for myself the Morning Prayer, full Litany and Communion Service; recollecting it was a Communion Sunday and enjoyed them much, particularly the Litany. No one so fully appreciates this unparalleled form until a soldiers life with its peculiar perils, wants, temptations & suggestions teaches him its priceless value. In the afternoon with their hearty concurrence I read aloud to a half dozen attentive listeners that noble sermon of Caird's, "Religion in common life." After this we sang some very sweet hymns. the tracts etc. I had were eagerly borrowed by the fellows around and [nearly?] all of them several times and by different persons. I regretted I had not brought more of them from camp. There has been recently published in Richmond a little hymn-book, containing 50 select ones "Hymns for the Camp", in paper. Also an abridgement of Vicans "Life, prepared by Miss Julia Johns, on paper 36 pp I f you could send me some copies of these in any way I should be very grateful and could do good with them. Neither costs over 5 or 6 cents I suppose. I have examined both & think them excellent. One of my comrades has a minature edition of Shakespeare, in 6 vols, fine but clear print, suitable for the vest pocket. It is invaluable for camp. There is I think such an edn at Paynes or Victor's Please ask papa to see if there is and if it can be had at a moderate price, get it for me. Berkeley is in my detachment so we are no, as w always will be, together. He sends his love to you, father and Mary and express his best thanks for your frequent and kind enquiries about him. Night before last we had a terrible thunder storm & a great deal of rain since which it is very uncomfortably cold. Berkeley & I and about half our men were adequately sheltered, but most of them got very wet. A more cheerless looking set then we were yesterday morning you never saw. We do pretty well to day again. Berkeley and I by combining our blankets etc. manage to sleep quite warm. The additional blanket you send will be very thankfully received however. As respects the prospect of a general engagement in this quarter I know but little but do not think
L M Blackford
MSS 5088
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.