1861 Nov[ember] 26 Manassas Junction

My Dear Mother,

The box of under-clothing
& the vest, and the accompanying letters
were received & I would have written sooner
but waited in hopes of getting my Carpet-
sack so that I might send my clothes
down to be washed as I have not
had a white shirt on for over 5 weeks
But the carpet sack not coming as I anticipated
I concluded to defer writing no longer--I
loaned the sack to young friend who was
sent to the Hospital at Front Royal, where
Dr Ben Blackford is Medical Director & will
get it in two or three days, when my clothes
will be sent, that is the reason I have not
sent them before.

The shirts & drawers were very nice--
but I was afraid I cannot dispose of them--
I think I merely asked you to find out if
you could get any more. Mr Senker the
Gentleman who asked to enquire will be up
tomorrow--will probably take two pair each--
The others, I presume I will Keep--tho I have
now almost a superfluity of underclothing & Socks
thanks to your Kindness. In the carpet bag
when it does come you will find several

[page 2]
pairs of Linen or cotton drawers, about 1/2
dozen I think, for which I have not the
slightest use, you can probably turn them
to Some advantage. also some shirts not
with washing & two white vests which
also please Keep--and if you can mark
allmy clothing when I send them down
as there are several in the office and
our clothes get mixed up

Tell father I think his voice
must have reached even Old McClellan
as We are evidently on the eve of a great
battle, Thousands of exciting rumours are
flying about--The enemy are threatening
our Right flank at Leesburg as also our
left at Dumfries, also some demonstration
on our Centre, everything is hurry bustle
& confusion, preparing ambulances & medical
stores, cleaning our of hospitals, removing
baggage to the rear & every thing betokening
the near approach of a great battle,
The enemy is certainly advancing in large
force in several dirrections, but slowly
on account of the roads being very bad &
the consequent difficulty in moving artillery,
The battle cannot take place before Thursday
which is the day fixed by our commander
I believe. I think more likely Saturday or
Sunday, The Federal Congress, you know,

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meets on Monday next, & McClellan is
almost bound to make some demonstration
previous to their meeting--The points of attack
are in great dispute--Some anticipating the
Main fight at Leesburg, some at Evansport
While a great many argue a general attack
from Evansport to Leesburg, The majority think
& it seems the opinion from Head Quarters, that
a feint will be made upon our entrenchments
at Centreville (our Centre) and the grand Coup
be Made at Evansport. One of the last two
will probably prove correct, but we are pre-
pared for them come from what quarter they
may. Our defences at Centreville are immense
& we could defy 150000 men. One ting
is Certain, if we whip this tight, we
will go into Maryland, or I believe the
troops will quit in disgust. The attack
at Evansport is renderd probably from the fact
that the blockade of the Potomac must
be raised, Washington can stand it no
longer. We get Northern papers nearly every
day & the accounts they give of the suffering
for want of provisions in Washington are
almost incredible---I was conversing to day
with a gentleman who only left
Washington on last Sunday night, this is
the ninth time he has been in since the
War commenced--He is one of their our

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spies who was to Washington & Baltimore
regularly--Two of our best spies are members
of the Maryland Legislature--tho it is
hardly right to divulge this--The gentleman
referred to above, says he can see no hopes
whatever of a speedy end to the War, the
North are determined in the idea that
with their superior numbers they can
overwhelm us, he also says that Maryland
is a slumbering volcano, only waiting for
our presence to apply the torch, to light
the smouldering fires--

Tell Emma I recd her interesting
letter & am under obligations--I will not be
as long in answering it as she has been mine--
My best Respects to all enquiring friends--
& Kiss Little Eva a thousand times,
I cant say when I can come home, but
will let you know in time,
Your devoted Son
Chas. F. Barnes.

Charles F. Barnes, Co. G, 11th Regiment, Virginia Infantry

MSS 4444