1862 February 12 Centreville, Va.

Centreville Feb. 12th
1862
My Dear Father –
I have as
yet received no reply to
my letter informing you
of my scheme for raising
a company of Cavalry
Guerillas, but I suppose
you are giving the subject
consideration and will soon
give me advice on the
subject. At present I
have thirty two, or three
members and the prospect
of more at in sufficient
numbers to justify the be-
life that my Efforts will
be finally crowned with
success. The service for
which the Company is
intended will be I feel assu-

[page 2]
attended with many advan-
tages, and offer fine op-
portunities for distinc-
tion. In consideration
of this fact, and that I
have already “crossed
the Rubicon” in engaging
in the enterprise I feel
disposed to use every
effort to succeed before
abandoning the attempt.
Whatever suggestions
you may make as to the
course that I shall pursue
will be gladly received
and faithfully abided
by. Stuart Cabell has joined
me, and as he is known
throughout the regiment as
one of its most fear-
less soldiers I think

[page 3]
will be able to secure a
desirable position should
the scheme meet with
success.
Reenlistments in the
regiment are going on
quite rapidly, some 150
having already been duly
mustered into service, and
a large number of the
remainder have signi-
fied their intention to
do so. It has been to me
a source of gratification
to witness the alacrity
with which the volunteers
are coming forward to
respond to the call of
the Country, and the
hopes of our people.
Our recent reverses on
the coast seems to have

[page 4]
awakened all from the
lethargy into which they
were allowing themselves
to fall, and arousing them
to renew their efforts for
the salvation of our cause.
The recent military bill
of the Legislature appears
to give very general satis-
faction throughout the
army, and all ^ ‘seem to’ view it
as probably the best that
could be passed under
the circumstances.
I shall write you again
tomorrow by which time
I hope to have received
a letter from you.
Most Affectionately
Your son
Jno. W. Daniel

[Occurring next in the file is an envelope addressed to:]
Judge Wm. Daniel Jr.
Exchange Hotel
Richmond
Va.
John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, future U.S. Senator and noted orator.
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 158