1862 March 19 Camp near Rappahannock River

Camp Near Rappahannock River
March 19” 1862 Evening
My own dear Jennie
We are still at the same camp
and quite likely to remain here for 6 or 8 days
to come. the regiment is still below engaged in
pulling up the rail road, carrying off the iron &
burning the ties and all bridges. Genl Elzey ordered
me to remain here with about 150 men so I am
just laying here doing nothing, expecting nothing
and of course more or less blue. I cant tell
where Neds regiment is. I have heard of it being
at three or four places and hence cant say where
it is. When I left I told you to send my clothes
& my horse by Ned, but unless his regiment is
some where on the line of the rail road it
will be entirely useless for him to start with
them for he might go further from me than
it at Frescatti. So soon as I get on the other
side of the Rapidan River I can send for
them & then hear directly from you and get
some more clothes washed.
Thursday Morning Capt Geo Chrisman & John
Kenny will be sent to day to Gordonsville
for some of our men & guns. And I have
concluded to send by them for my horse. Genl
Elzey has just told me that we will probably
have to remain here for a week, not longer –
& possibly not that long. It rained all day
yet night last night & is still drizling [sic] & very
wet I manage to keep dry & comfortable
I am just as well off as I would be if I was

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nearer Gordonsville. I am not permited [sic]
to go to the regiment but will have
about 200 men here to take care of, and
to fight with in an emergency.
We have no news at all & dont know
what is going on in the world. I feel
pretty well satisfied in fact I am fully
convinced that we do not go beyond Gordonsville
until we are whiped [sic] by the Yankeys. We
are now engaged in moving the R R and
all supplies in this vicinity back for the
use of the army.
Most affectionately & truly
E.T.H. Warren

Genl Elzey", line 5 & 24 - 'Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanding brigade of which the 10th Virginia Infantry was a part.

"Frescatti", line 16 - 'Frascati. Virginia 'Jennie' Watson Magruder Warren's ancestral home located a few miles north of Gordonsville.'

"Capt Geo Chrisman", line 20 - 'George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry.'


"John Kenny", line 21 - 'John Kenney, Jr., Ordnance-Sergeant, 10th Virginia Infantry.'

"E.T.H. Warren", page 2, signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.'

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

MSS 7786-g