1861 December 9 Camp near Centreville

Camp near Centreville
Dec 9” 1861
My darling Jennie
I am very sorry to have
to say this morning that I see no im
idiate [sic] prospect of my going to see
you. No leaves of absence are now
granted for any thing but sickness
our Generals will not even forward
in Resignations of a good officer the
Reason assigned is that we are ex-
pecting an attack every day and
need all our forces and all our
officers. For my part I do not expect an
attack & can see no Reason why
I should not have a short leave of
absence Yet if you will only be pa-
tient under it & not complain I
will also promise not to complain. Yes my
darling as great as would be my
happiness in visiting you and as
great as the sacrifice is for me
to Remain here away from you
still I you am only happy and
cheerful I would gladly stay here
& even again to sleep out of doors
with only one blanket to cover
with. I would endure any pos-
sition if you will only be happy
& be a good girl until I can come
& see you and then you may
cut up as many shines as you
like. You know very well that
for the last six years my aim

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has not been to secure my happiness
but yours and so it still continues
to be my aim and I am made
perfectly miserable by your letters
which exhibit such a disconsolate spirit
try & cheer up. at any Rate there is no
use of despairing & despairing of seeing
me until we get into orders to go into
winter quarters on our the ground of
our present encampment. I am sat-
isfied we will very shortly be ordered
back near the R R & then if I cant
go to see you – You may come to me
But to come here is simply im-
possible – my tent is as cold as the
north pole & there is no house with-
in 5 miles No lady can come here
& there are none here. Be patient
my darling – be a good girl & a good
wife & wait further developments. I
know something will occur to all
ow me to visit you.
This morning we are called on
to witness one of the most painful
sights incident to warfare viz: the
execution of two of our own men
for disobedience of orders. Two of the
Tiger Rifles are to be shot this mor-
ning in the presence of our division
Write to me darling every day
& be a good dear wife as Jennie
is take care of our little chaps
Most affectionately
ETH Warren


"Two of the Tiger Rifles", page 2, lines 27-28 - 'The two men to whom Warren referred were Dennis Corcoran and Michael O'Brien, privates, Company B, 1st Special Battalion (Wheat's) LA Infantry.'

[Transcription and annotation by John P. Mann IV]
MSS 7786-g