1862 February 15

Camp Walker
Feby 15” 1862
My own darling Jennie
I received your letter yesterday say-
ing that up to Wednesday you had received
no letter from me. This ought not to be so
I wrote you a letter which you ought to
have received on tuesday and I have writen [sic]
to you every other day since. Not long
letters but enough to let you know how
I was doing. It has been snowing hard
all day but fortunately I have been
all day in doors & have therefore felt
no inconvenience from it and add
to this the fact that I have been free from
head ache and you will readily con-
clude that I am far from being in an
unhappy frame of mind.
This morning an order was issued saying
that until further orders no more furloughs
should be granted on reinlistment [sic]. why this
step should be taken just now I dont know
unless Genl Johnston has determined that all
future reinlistments [sic] of Virginia soldiers shall
be under the Virginia law. if this is the idea
then our regiment will not only be preserved
but will be increased to 1000 men. then the
question occurs shall I take the chance of Rel re-
election in this regiment under Col G. or shall
I attempt to raise a new regiment with a fair

[page 2]
prospect of a failure for I doubt very much
if I can raise a regiment if the Confederate
law is ignored & the Va law adopted as the basis
of organization. while I heartily believe that
if our true policy as a people will be to adopt
out & out the Va law – bad as it is. Yet if such
course be adopted I must confess that it ren-
ders my chance for a command doubtful at
best. I dont think I could raise a regiment
in that event and it is quite possible there
may be such a change in the company offi
cers as to leave me out in this regiment. In
the event of being left out I will not be sub
ject to draft until the second draft is called
for – which may not be for twelve months. but
then I would not be satisfied to remain out of
the service. What shall I do? Try for a reg-
iment of my own? or declare myself a candi
date for reelection to Lt Col. or shall I just
be quiet let things go as they please and
if I am left out – Then tender my services
as a volunteer aid [sic] to one of our Generals – in whose
capacity I would serve without pay but would
receive rations for self & horse & have not only
a pleasant place & a chance to go home when
I pleased but a wide field for distinction
if I want it. Let me have your opinions my
darling for I know you can help me out of this
dificulty [sic]. I expect to send Frank home in
four or five days – we have not had a particle

[page 3]
of hay since my return and the truth
is my horses cant stand it any longer.
I am rejoyced [sic] my own darling that you take
so much interest in your plans for the summer
and hope you will be able to carry them out
but dont be too sanguine, we are living in a
most troublous unsettled & uncertain time. we do
not know what a day or hour may bring forth
The enimy [sic] are evidently making a general and
a most desperate effort to destroy us. They seem
to be advancing on us at every point except here
Romney is again in his possession and this
time he has advance a part of his forces to
Moorfield [sic] and driven our malitia [sic] from that place
Harrisonburg is not over fifty miles from Moorfield [sic]
and we know not what moment their cavalry
may dash down there I am however now
of opinion that such an attempt will not be
made until our forces are driven from Win-
chester which I hope will not be soon. Yet my
precious Jennie will hardly be very happy even
in her own little cabin if our brave soldiers
are being overcome & our land being overrun
by hordes of our wicked & unscrupulous foe
We have a report a mere rumor that our
brave boys in the west have won a brilliant
victory at Bowling Green & Ft Donaldson [sic]. The
papers say that during one days fighting we
were successful at every point. I am in
great fear less we shall be unsuccessful the
next day.

[page 4]
I am glad to say that Dr Moffett is
very much better & will I think be all
right in a week. Tell Jim he must not
be so cross or Papa will not love him, but
will love dear little sister all. but he must
be such a good boy that every body will love
him. Tell Lizzie papa wants to know if
her ear rings shake like Mamas do. She must
have a pair that shakes. Papa would like to
see his darling little pets every morning and
have a real nice clean kiss as soon as their faces
are washed & heads combed.
Did I tell you that I found Tom Pennybacker
here on my return – well & hearty He & Link
returned together. I will add a line in
the morning.

[The following was written along the right margin
on the lower half of the page.]

Sunday Morning
The 3d Tenn Reg left this
morning for Knoxville Tenn I
was up early washed from head
to foot put on clean clothes &
now send you all a clean kiss


"Genl Johnston", line 20 - 'Joseph E. Johnston, commander Army of the Potomac.'

"Col G.", line 25 - 'Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.'

"Frank", page 2, line 29 - 'One of Warren's horses.'

"Moorfield", page 3, lines 14 & 15 - 'Moorefield, now WV.'

"Bowling Green & Ft Donaldson", page 3, line 27 - 'Bowling Green, Kentucky was abandoned by Confederate General John C. Breckinridge during the night of 13 February. Union General Don Carlos Buell occupied the city on 14 February.
On 14 February, the Confederate defenders of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, had, in fact, fought off an attempt by Union Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote to reduce the fort by use of his gunboat fleet, including four ironclads.'

"Dr Moffett", page 4, line 1 - 'Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.'

"Jim", page 4, line 3 - 'James M., Warren's five year old son.'

"Lizzie", page 4, line 7 - "Lizzie, Warren's seven year old daughter.'

"Tom Pennybacker", page 4, line 13 - 'Thomas J. Pennybacker, Adjutant, 10th Va Infantry.'


[transcription and annotations by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g