1861 Nov[ember] 18 Centreville Virginia

My Dear Creek

I wrote you a few days since by Calvin cox
which you will probably have received by this time I told him
to mail it at Belton for you so that you wo8uld be certain to
get it, I recieved your kind letter of the 10th inst and was
very happy to hear of your welfare, But am sorry to hear
of the excitement in the neighbourhood about the yankees
landing at Port Royal, I dont think you need dread
them much about Anderson, as they will never get that
far. I hope their is still enough men left in South Carolina
to drive the invaders from her soil, before they can get
a footing in the contry, would to God they would let all
of the South Carolinians here come back for a short time
and I know their would not be a Yankee left in the state
long, but this our Generals strictly refuse to do, as they seem to
think there is more need of us here, although everything seems
as quiet as usual; some of our Pickets yesterday took one yankee
Captain, one Lieutanant and thirty men prisoners, with
five waggons Loaded with corn, and 22 Horses. I suppose they
did not think our men were so close to their lines and they
were sent out to get the corn, when our Troopers seeing them dashed
on them and took the above numbers, also forty Riffles, which
belonged to them, there was seventy of them in all, forty of them got
into the woods, where our horsemen could not ride after them, and

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and made good their escape, without us stopping to fire a shot
but one, at our men, and that did no harm, and a good many of them
threw away their guns, so they might run faster, the prisoners were
brought to this place and sent of to Richmond last night for winter
Quarters.

I almost envy you all the Happiness of meeting with Jimmie
again, there was a general rejoicing in the Regiment today when
the news came that he was in Richmond on his way home
we should have all been very happy to have had a visit from him
here, but Col Jesse Magee told us he was going straight home, but
I hope he will write a body all of his adventures in Yankeedom.
I was just telling some of the Boys how Ma would look when she
saw him come home, and how she would act when she got him
by the side of the fire, but I need not tell you how, as I have no
doubt you was there to see for yourself: Give my kindest Regards
to Jim and tell him that he is highly esteemed in our Regiment
by all who know him, and we are all happy to here of his release
I have to start out in the morning again on picket-duty, will be
gone four days, I think we will have dry weather this time, but
the wind is high and very cold, winter is setting in here in ernest, we
have plenty of ice every morning. William is still back at Manassas
but is up and about again he sent me word today he would be here tomorrow
or next day. I do not know of anything else here that would interest you
when I get back from picket I may have something new for you
Kiss our Darling for me and tell her papa will soon be home to sing
pretty songs for her, Good By Dear Creek May Heaven Guide and
protect you Your affectionate Husband
William

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

MSS 10366