1862 February 18 Camp Walker, Va.

Camp Walker

Feby 18” 1862
My darling Jennie
I recd two letters from you yesterday
both one mailed on Sunday & one on Saturday. I
am sorry that our recent reverses have
so depressing an influence on you
before this you have heard of our great
victory at Donaldson. we cant expect
to be always victorious Sometimes we
must be defeated and ought therefore
to be prepared for such an event. When
we remember that the Yankeys have
not more than two soldiers to our
one if indeed they have that many
I dont think anyone can for one
moment doubt our ability to whip
them. I have always believed that
in a hand to hand fight I could easy
whip two Yankeys any time or any
way & I feel perfectly satisfied if


[page 2]
our Genls will make a proper dis-
position of our forces so as to give
us a fair chance to meet them we
will always whip. The victory
gained at Donaldson is not yet
a complete one. So far it is little
better than a repulse. It is still in
their power to be reinforced & probably
they may regain their camp in front
of the fort. I dont think the fight over
yet although they have been fighting
two days. I am just now a little
uneasy about a rumor that prevails
in camp, to the efect [sic] that our brigade
is to go to Winchester. For a month past
it has been stated frequently that such
a move was contemplated but heretofore
I have not believed such a think possible
just now. But the present rumor looks
a little like there was truth in it. I
believe I would like to go there in the

[page 3]
spring when we can us tents but just
now when we are all nice & comfortable
in our cabins I dont see the use of
sending us out in the cold again
One thing is certain if I go to Winchester
I am going to take my lodgings in some-
bodys house. I hope it is only rumor.
Dr Moffett does not seem to improve very
rapidly. we have concluded to send
him home, dont know when he will
start. Bad as the weather appears we
are all doing well - comfortable cabins
keep us warm & bad weather gives us
bad roads, which we will want until
our army is reorganized. Any thing
now to keep back the enimy [sic] until
our ranks are again filled up to
the right number. I amuse my
self by novel reading novels, playing
draughs [sic] & bacgamon [sic]. I take it all
quite easy dont give myself the least

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trouble about anything. Answer all
questions & give advice about reinlisting [sic]
whenever called on. Major Walker is now
absent on 4 days leave to see his
family. You schold [sic] me pretty heavy about
short letters. I will try & do better in future
& will keep my promise good. Hope the
children will keep all right. You will have
to be particular about their diet for some
time. Good well cooked food of any sort
is good for them, but all trash between
meals is bad for them & they ought not to
have a particle of anything of the sort.

Most affectionately ETHWarren

I will try & write Ned a letter in a day or two

"Donaldson", line 6 - 'Fort Donelson, Tennessee.'

"The victory gained at Donaldson", page 2, lines 4 & 5, through line 12 - 'Obviously Lieutenant-Colonel Warren had not yet heard the news that Confederate Brigadier-General Simon B. Buckner had surrendered Fort Donelson to Union Brigadier-General Ulysses S. Grant on 16 February 1862.'

"Dr Moffett", page 3, line 8 - 'Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.'

"draughs & bacgamon", page 3, line 20 - 'Draughts (checkers) and backgammon were very popular board games during this time period with both officers and men. The enlisted men would sometimes paint the game board on their gum blankets or oil cloths.'

"Major Walker", page 4, line 3 - 'Samuel T. Walker, Major, 10th VA Infantry.'

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

MSS 7786-g