1861 Nov[ember] 23 Centreville, Virginia

My Dear Creek

We have again returned from Picket, after
a cold but otherwise very pleasant trip, as we had the luck
to have dry weather this time, everything is quiet on the
out posts yet not a sign of the enemy anywhere this side
off falls Church where their advanced camp is. Our
Cavalry within half a mile of their camp the other day
and came on a party of them killing 6 wounding two and
bringing off ten prisoners this was a very daring act--as they
were right in sight of their Camp when they did it, but
the cavalry were from Missippa and are not easily scared.

While on Picket I Received you kind letter of the 14th, and on
my arrival at Camp one of the 18th. I am happy to hear that
you are well and that Maggie is herself again. the report
you heard of our Regt coming home is not true at least
there is no such report here, but on the contrary Beauregard
says posatively that he cant let any of the troops leave this
place at present, I think the woman down the contry are
too easily frightened to be runing away from home so soon
I dont think the Yankees will ever get any further into
the State than they are not and you have not anything to
fear about Anderson. I dont think you have anything to dead
from the low contry negroes coming up they will need most of

[page 2]them on the coast for building fortifications but should time
get so you are afraid to stay, I would advise you to take the things
out of the house and move to Mas and stay with her till I
get back this would be a good deal of trouble but you had much
better do than live in constant dread as that is a miserable
condition for anyone to live in, but perhaps you may get
Jim or Jink to stay with you if they are not engaged in
anything. I am sorry to hear that Papa is going of. I think he
is getting to old to stand the fatigue of camp life and their is
surely young men enough without old men like him going
and then you know he is troubled with Rheumatic pains
and camp is the worst place in the world for him I
think he had better camp this winter with Betsy.

I am very sorry to hear of Johanis misfortune. I heard of it in
a letter from Caroline to William but she did not give any
particulars, only that she expected everything would have to
be sold; let me know something more of it in you next as
we are both anxious to know the straight of it.

You will do right in sending my other pants by Stephen
as on pair is all I have and when I get wet have nothing
of my own to change with, I have socks enough to do me
two years, or more, I have not had on the first pair of the
ones you sent me yet, you know I got three or for pairs
of fine new yarn socks from the Yankees after the Battle.
I found them in a Box that had a great many in it, none
of which had ever been worn so we all helped ourselves to them,
and they are very comfortable and warm for us ow.
it is strange that you dont get my letters more regular. I get

[page 3]
most of yours very regularly now I sent you one by hand some
time since it may be it that has been delayed. I hope you have
got some by this time as there is several on the way somewhere.
Tell Billy smith Gambriell is here and quite well again he
is very anxious to hear of his little sister whether she is well
again or not he has not heard anything from home since the
letter he got in my box Andy Wardlaw is also quite well.
Tell Squire Wardlaw that his nephew James Wardlaw died
at Culpdper C. H. about ten days ago, we are all sorry about his
death he was a fine young man and much esteemed by his
fellow soldiers. William is still at Manassas Junction but
is well again will be back to camp tomorrow I hear from him
every day by John Harrison who goes after the mail
it is very cold tonight and snowing a little I think we
will have a pretty heavy fall before morning. the mountains
which we can see very plainly form here are all white things
generally look very much like winter and we all wish we
were at home with our wives and families instead of sleeping
in cold tents, we have a pretty good supply of Blankets
however, and plenty of wood, and we manage in that way
to make ourselves very comfortable, their is nothing new
transpiring in Camp at present, the health of our Regt. is generally
good, except colds &c. which cannot well be avoided when
men will not take proper care of themselves, give my kindest
regards to all of the family. Jink is a long time in answer
ing my letter. Kiss Dear little Maggie for me (oh how I
wish I could do so myself) and reserve my warmest affection
for yourself.

William

[page 4]

You will find enclosed a map of the wanderings
of our Regt since we came to Virginia drawn by Col
Billy Major and sent with his kindest Regards
to Jimmee the wanderings of the Regt. are marked
by the red dot[t]ed line, runing through the map Jim[?]
will know where to commence and follow us up
to our nearest position.


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