1862 February 19 Camp Walker

Camp Walker

Feby 19” 1862.

My own dear Wife

I recd your two letters both mailed on
yesterday & I had a hope I would be able
to send you a good long letter in reply
but with the bad news from the west
& a severe nervious [sic] headache which I have
had all day puts it out of my power of
endurance to write you a letter of either
length or interest. Every thing has gone wrong
and I am myself in low spirits to suc-
ceed in cheering you up. One thing only
I can say that is pleasant we will not
go to Winchester, on the contrary I heard
to day that Jackson was on the march
to this place I hope it is true And if
our defeat in the west will only teach
Davis sense enough to concentrate his little
army on at one point instead of scatter
ing them all over the Country to be whipped

[page 2]

in detail, we may yet win our indepen-
dence. Wednesday Thursday morning, My head is
better this morning but I fear it will ache
again to day. The news last night is
bad enough, and such will the news
continue to be so long as our people
at home manifest so much indifference
about the success of the war. Making
money is their only thought. We
have men enough at home with small
arms at their command to win
our independence if they would only
come out & make the effort and cease
their selfish run after money
I am less spirited yet have still
a lively hope that all will be well.
So soon as I get clear of my daily head
ache I will write to Ned, I cant write
now Affectionately your old man

ETHW




"the bad news from the west", line 4 -

"our defeat in the west", line 15 - 'Both references are almost certainly about the surrender of Fort Donelson, Tennessee, on 16 February.'

"Jackson", line 13 - 'Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson, at that time commanding in the Valley.'

"Davis", line 16 - 'Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America.'

"ETHW", signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th VA Infantry

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

MSS 7786-g