1861 Dec[ember] 10 Hightown

My Der Hamie

It has been upwards
of two weeks since we took
up quarters at this place, within
that time I have written two letters
and the number that I have receiv
ed in return counts zero. Must
I attribute it to any remissness on
your part? No, I believe it to
be the fault of the P.Os. They
have failed to pay proper atten
tion to either your letters or
mine. I fear it is to mine.
You ought to have gotten one
from me about seven days ago.
Did you get it? If you have
answered it I fear I will never
get it, for we are about to leave
this section of the country. As a
further evidence of the vacilat
ing policy that has characterised
the N.W. campaign, you must
know that we are again
under marching orders, where

[page 2]
to, we know not but suppose
to Winchester. A part of the
force that constituted the camp
at Greenbrier has already gone
to that place, and as it is exp
ected that the enemy will
make an attack upon the town
from three different points
it is nothing more than reas
onable to suppose that, as
we are to move somewhere,
it will be to Winchester
Supposition and conjecture are
all that is left subordinates,
Even when we are ordered to march
the direction only will be design
ated, its terminus will be Known
only when we reach it. Has
Bob entered upon his new duties
as Conductor? I hope he has,
it will be so pleasant to you
and Mrs. B to have him so close
to you. Your box has not yet

[page 3]
reached me,--transportation
is very difficult between here
and Staunton. I expect it is
now at that place and as we
are about to move it is likely
I will never have the pleasure
of enjoying its contents but I
shall hope for the best and
still encourage the belief that I
will yet be the proud recipient of
a substantial token from
the lady of my love; to Know
that we have some dear on[e] at
home who thinks of us in
our hardships and privations
edges in great degree the trying
ordeal of a soldiers life. I freq-
uently wish I had brought with
me your degereotype, the
only reason I did not was a
fear that I might fall in
the hands of the enemy
either by death or the

[page 4]
accidents of war and thus cause
it to become the property of
a low and vulgar soldier
the off-scour and scum of crea
tion, I yet encourage the hope
of settling for the winter in
some place where the necess
ities of the service will allow
me to pay a visit to old Bed
ford. If we get to Winchester
and have a battle successful
to us the chance of a furlough
will be good,--otherwise not.
Should I not then rush to
participate in the battle of
Wincheser? Yes a dozen of
them if it would ensure me
a visit to the neighborhood of
Forest Depot. How is your dys-
pepsia this winter? My own
healtah is remarkably good.
I can't tell you where to direct
my next letter. You must wait
until I write again. good-bye
and believe me ever yours, John

John Marshall Steptoe, 1st Lieut, Co. A, 44th Virginia Infantry

MSS 6516