1862 February 16 Centreville, Va.

Camp near Centreville
Feb. 16th, 1862

Dear Ma:

Charley Buck & Scott Roy will leave to-morrow
for Front Royal on sick leave and I avail myself of the
opportunity to drop you a note. Charley has been quite
sick for some day he has not been entirely well since he
returned from Home. He has contracted some disease here
in camp which I fear will last him sometime. He complains
in a very singular way. I can not understand his case.
Scott returned too soon. He has been complaining ever since
he returned to camp but I hope he will recruit in a short
time after he gets in the country out of the sight of
Soldiers and where he can not hear the roll of a drum.

I received the haversack of clothes sent down by
Scott. They were all right. You wish to know if I need
my pants. I do not know which you refer to but any would
be quite acceptable as these I have are rather the worse
for wear.

Where is Walter? I have been looking for him down
for some days but tell him not to come down now until we
return from Pickett as we will start on Tuesday and return
next Friday.

A good many of the boys are re-enlisting. Scott
re-enlisted yesterday for the War. I have not re-enlisted
yet. I want to see Walter before I do so. It is almost
impossible for us to change the arm of service which we
are in now. There is a move on foot to reorganize the
Warren Rifles and if it succeeds I suppose I will have to
join them and continue on in the same Branch of service.
Infantry though is very hard service I would be glad if it
could be turned either into a Cavalry or Artillery Company.
I suppose Walter would not give up Cavalry upon any consid-
eration. Artillery seems to be most liked by the troops
generally.

I suppose the Roanoke disaster has very much dis-
heartened the people. But we can not always be victorious.
I think it will be of an advantage to the troops for we have
been so unaccustomed to defeats that the troops have become
careless. But this will arouse them and teach them that we
are fighting a largely superior force and a determined people
and that we must whip or be forever a subjugated and dis-
graced people. It is getting quite late and I must close.

Love to cousins M.E.M. and the family, also Bel Air and
cousin Thomas's. Tell Walter he must be sure to come down.
Write soon.

Your affec. son,
R. B. B.

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, Warren Rifles, Co. B of the 17th Virginia Infantry
MSS 1091