1862 March 17

[a continuation of P. Edloe Jones' letter of March 16]

Monday morning. Mar 17th
Dear Pa;
I will try to finish
my letter this morning, but there is no telling when you will get it,
as the mail is very irregular now – the boys have written a
good many letters since they left Manassas, but none had reached home
when I left… We made out first rate last night – the wind
blew very hard this morning before day, but did not blow
our shelters over…. The boys have been faring very badly
since they left Manassa, were living on crackers & beef

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at one time, but we are living very well now – draw
bacon, sugar, coffee, flour &c&c.. I had partridge for supper
last night – caught it in my “Shabang”…. Bro. John went to Cul-
pepper CH. Saturday morning & has not returned yet – I expect
him back today – he was very well… Fendol Chiles,
Tap Trice & Phil Porter got in camp the next evening after
I did… I was very glad that Pen did n’t come with me, as
the weather turned out to be so bad – I think it would have
certainly laid him up… We do n’t know who will be our Col. –
Lt. Col. Walker is rather unpopular with the officers now, & I
do n’t think they would elect him – some think Ma=
jor Terrel will be Col… Col. Walker’s unpopularity with
the officers, is on account of his being so strict with them –
he is very strict with the Privates too…. I do n’t see the
slightest prospect of our old Co’s. being reorganized – 45
have joined Bird & Hibbs – some Sturdivant & other Compa-
nies & some have n’t reinlisted atall, nor wo n’t if they can
help it.. Lt. Winston says he intends remaining with the
Co. until it the 17th of April & then if it is not reorganized,
he will go some where else.. I am at a loss what to do – think
I will join Pendleton’s old Battery or Sturdivant – will
consult Bro. Jno.. If Pendleton’s Bat. was with the Army of
the Potomach, I w’d n’t hesitate to join it…The officers
of Bird’s Co. are as follows: Bird Captain – Hibbs 1st Lt. –
Geo. Moore 2nd Lt. & Will. Hunter 3rd. – Joe Baker Orderly,
Sargeant - Eddens 2nd Joe Thomason 3rd. Wally Taliferro 4th
I think they have eighty five or so ninety men - - __________
The Regt. has been expecting to march every day since it
has been here – we expect to move just as soon as the 10th Va
gets back – it was sent several days ago, with six
or seven other Regts. towards Warrenton – it was reported
here that they’ve had a fight there, but we do n’t know
whether it is true or not…. They have been making
preparations for several days to blow up the Rappa=
hannock Bridge…. There are various opinions, as to
whether our Army will make a stand here or fall back
to the Rapidann – I think our division will be station=
ed some where between Culpepper CH. & Orange CH.. –
We have two drills a day now, but I do n’t have any
of it to do, as I have no musket yet….. Bro. Jno. broug^‘ht’
two of my blankets with him – the others were sent off with
the extra baggage, & I reckon was lost, as we heard all of
it was burned at Manassa – some of the boys lost all of
their bed clothing, & a good many other things besides – two blank=
ets is just as much as I want. Pen’s bed clothing was
brought along too.. Cap. Murray had bad luck the other
night – burnt his blanket – comfort – buffalo robe & his boots
so that he could not get them on – he got too close to the fire –
it’s a great wonder he did [not] burn himself up…
Gen. Ewell has th command of our Division now.. There are a

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a great many Troops about here – some are moving to day…
It is reported here that Price has taken the whole of the
Yankee Army in Missouri – of course we do n’t believe it..
Tell sister my haversack didnt give out before I got to camp,
& Bro. Jno. , as well as all of my mess, enjoyed the contents
very much – the butter came came through safe – the meat
has n’t given out yet – we are saving it for the march –
Aunt Sally Ashby wanted to give me a fresh supply, but
I had as much as I could carry well….. Tell Henry Chiles
Eddens has his Bible, & he will keep it until he gets back…
A serious accident happened in our regt. yesterday evening –
a tree fell on Private Osburne, of the “Lanier Guard”. – broke his leg-
arm & jaw – his recovery is very doubtful…

I believe I’ve given you all the news I can think of just
now. We will write when ever we can – do n’t be uneasy about
us when you don’t hear from us often.. Tell Ma not to get low
spirited.. Best love to all at home – Aunty Cynthia’s & friends –
& accept a large share for yr self. Yr devoted son
P. Edloe Jones


[Private William F. Osborne. Hospitalized 3/17/62 with fractured arm and leg after a tree fell on him. d. 4/11/62, tetanus. 13th Va. Infantry.]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards, comment by Robert K. Krick]

MSS 13407