1861 December 21 Winchester

My dear Little Nannie:
I have received none from you since
yours of the 16th
Nothing of interest has transpired here since
my last except that on yesterday a fight occurred near
Drainsville about twelve miles from here and nearly equidistant
from Leesburg & Washington between four regiments of our men
(1st Car, 1 Ky., 1 Ala, 1 Md. & the 11th Va) and about ten regiments of
Yankees after a fight of about one hour our troops being
overpowered were compelled to leave the field (in good order)
with about 6 killed & 100 wounded in the hands of the enemy
nobody from Lynchburg was hurt except one man named
Henry who must have been Killed by the accidental explosion
of his own gun as the ball entered under his jaw & passed
through the top of his head – Only three companies of the 11th
Regt exchanged shots with the enemy - The unlucky or lucky Home
-Guard had no chances to fire – The four above mentioned Regts.
returned here yesterday & met other regiments going forwarded to
do what they had failed to accomplish – It is proper to state
that the Kentuckians bore the brunt of the fight & suffered most –
Clark says he will write soon in reply to his
Mother’s letter – He reported himself unfit for duty because
he “will not be ordered by Folkes” in the absence of Capt Latham
& Lieut Davidson –
Vic Litchfield & Hopkins dined with us to day – We
had fried cabbage & eggs & eggs & fried cabbage all of which was
pronounced good –
The subject of reorganization has died out & now
we are more quiet than when I wrote you about re-enlistment &c –
With much love to all at home & a Kiss for “the Captain” I
am Nannie “Lings” Own
Choctaw

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

William A. King, Captain of the Saltville Light Arteillery

MSS 6682