1862 March 20 Camp Hayes, Raleign, Va.

Camp Hayes Raleigh Va March 20/62

Dear Father

For the last half
hour I have been sitting here
trying to write in one corner
sits McIlrath with a violin
with Alf Arthurs to accompany
him on his flute and Thad
has just commenced on his
horn the remainder of the
boys are talking laughing
and making a great
noise as usual but I
will try to write
notwithstanding the time
for writing is generally
after bed-time. I wrote
to you a few days since
and sent it with Slocum.
We have very comfortable
quarters and are living well

[page 2]
on Pilot-Bread coffee
mule sides and Beans
you would think we
were living well if you
could see me now. I
weigh upwards of 180 lbs
and think I never was in
better health the boys
call me Fatty, Baby &c
The country around here
is quite rough thus
afording a secure place
for the Bushwhackers or
rather Banditte that
infest us.
On friday morning last
as a Cavalry Patrol were on
on[sic] duty (they go out every
morning to reconnoitre) about
7 miles from this place they
found themselves suddenly
surrounded by about 50
men (the Cavalry were only

[page 3]
eight in number)
and fired upon
no chance was given them
to surrender. Two were
instantly killed Two wounded
one of the wounded has
since died we buried him
to day and one was taken
prisoner his horse was
shot and fell on him and
held him until taken
only three escaped to
tell the sad news in
camp. this most
outrageous affair was
perpetrated by men
calling themselves the
border rangers and belong-
-ing to the regular army of
the Confederate States, they
are a most villainous set
and wo! be to them should
we ever meet them

[page 4]
A company of Infantry
also a Co of Cavalry went
out immediately but
could not succeed n
overtaking them they went
in the direction of jumping
branch from all accounts
there are about 600 men
now encamped at Blue Stone
between 20 and 30 miles from
here. I saw a man this
afternoon who ran away
from there. he left
there Tuesday night
but he corroborates the above
I think it probable that
we will move soon
we are now as you are
perhaps aware under
the command of Freemont
and belong to that Division
of the army called the Army
of the Mountains

[page 5]
One of our boys I mean
belonging to our Regiment
has just returned from
Richmond he was taken
prisoner about two
months since not far
from this place he was
in Richmond about a
month and then
exchanged he says there
were few Troops there
he says there is Considerable
union sentiment there
if they dare speak out
he reports coffee selling at
$1.50 per lb Tea $3.00 salt
$10.00 per bushel
Gen Beckley the founder of
this place (Raleigh origenaly
called Beckley) and the survey-
-or of this county has returned

[page 6]
to his home he lives about
a mile from Town
he graduated at West Point
in 1820 was in the army
9 years he says he has
resigned his Commission
with the Rebel Army and
intends to remain at
home if permitted he
is now there on a Parol
of honor I saw him a few
days since he is a quite
elderly man of pleasant
address
I was out a few nights
since to the house of our
old secesh foraging or what
would be called at home
chicken stealing.
the business was a little
risky as we were obliged
to run the Pickets and
then there was a possibility

[page 7]
of Bushwhackers being
around got into Camp
about 2 oclock in the morning
I just now hear that two
Companies are to start in
the morning for Blue Stone
I think they can drive off
the enemy from that place
but I think by good
management their whole
force might be taken
I must go to bed so good
night--Tell mother to
write, and soon
Yours Truly
J.D. Templeton

MSS 10317