1861 November 18

My dear Ma;
It is quite late now;
& news is very scarce – so you will have to put up with
a short & uninteresting letter. I intended writing to you
this morning, but had some work to do & could not
write.. We will certainly expect Pa tomorrow evening - &
will be very much disappointed if he does not come – he
will find no difficulty what ever at Manassa in getting
out here. Bro. John will meet him, & I reckon he will
have to remain at Manassa until next morning -. I
know Pa will have a nice trip & will enjoy himself very
much -. I will take good care of him & give him plen
ty to eat – I have a first rate patten spring bed, made
of hickory & white oak poles, which is large enough
for Pa & I both, so he will sleep with me, if he comes.

I wish Pa could bring Meade & Jimmy over with him – I
would like very much to have them with me for a week
or two.. I was afraid at one time that we would be on pick=
et this week, but our Regt., has been excused from one turn
by Gen. Johnston, as we’ve been called upon so often late=
ly; it will not be our time to go on picket again for two
or three weeks.. We’ve had some right cold weather lately
but have not suffered much – I had a right hard time
of it last Saturday night on guard. It was so windy
Sunday that we could not keep our plates on the table..
James Hackett was here yesterday to see us – It is real[l]y
amusing to hear him talk about what he has undergone –
he looks better than I ever saw him… We see Uncle
Phil Ashby right often – Cousine Bailiy was here
to day – he will return to Culpepper tomorrow..

[page 2]
Bro. John expects to get a wall tent in a few day –
Pen is going in it with him – he wants me too, but
I am very comfortably quartered, & don’t like to leave
Henry & Kit, so I will remain where I am-. I miss him
very much. From what I can hear, I think Mr. Kennon
must have been neglected by Billy Con, on his way
home – how his knapsack was lost, I can’t see – it was
under his head when he started from the station – I
did not go to the depot with him, because I was on
guard at the time. I’ve been intending to write to him
for some time, but have never done it yet – my resp=
ects to him… I packed up that trunk several days ago
& sent it to Edmund Nuckolls at Manassa, who will
send it home by the first opportunity.. Tell sister, I
am very much obliged to her for the nice port folio,
that she sent me - .My best love to Belle - & tell
her she beat me & her Father both fasting Saturday.

Respects to Lin [-] & tell him he must answer
my letter – I will write to Joe Brooks soon. I have
not time to write anymore to night – will try to
write a little more tomorrow. We are all well – my
best love to all at home – Aunt Cynthia’s – all friends &
accept a large share for your self – kiss dear little Willie
Page for me. I must now bid you good
night. yr devoted & most aff son
P. Edloe Jones.
MSS 13407