1862 March 26

Wednesday 26 March 62
My Darling Wife

The robins on the trees
around me sing as merrily this
morning as if this part of the world
was enjoying its usual quiet, and
the soldiers are laughing and talk-
ing as cheerful as if apprehension
of danger and alarm for the future
was the last of their thoughts. Since
last Thursday when we started
toward Winchester we have had
exciting times. We were engaged
on Sunday in a fiercer struggle
more obstinately maintained on
our side, than that at Manassas
last July. The battle between the in-
fantry, the artillery having been en-
gaged in firing for some time before,
commenced about 5 oclock and en-
ded about 6 Oclock when our lines
gave way and retreated in dis-
order to our wagons about 4
miles from the battle field. Our
loss in killed wounded and miss-
ing I suppose may reach four hun-
dred. Col Echols had his arm
broken. The next morning after the
battle we left in good order about
10 Oclock and came some seven
miles in this direction where we
encamped and cooked dinner
Before we left the enemy appeared
with their cannon on the opposite
and as we were leaving com-
menced firing upon us.

[page 2]
One of others shells burst in
our regiment killing four and
wounding several more. We came
that night, Monday, to Woodstock
and on yesterday came here some
ten miles farther. We keep some
artillery and cavalry in our rear
close to the lines of the enemy who
check his advance and keep us ad-
vised of what is going on. We re-
main in our encampment, with wagons
packed and every thing in order to
move, until the afternoon when
we move back. To you this would
seem exciting yet the soldiers sit
around in squads laughing and
talking as if the[y] enjoyed the sport.
I think it likely if the enemy adv-
ance we will continue to retreat
down up toward Staunton. His force
which we engaged at Winchester
was some 15,000 according to the
best estimates which we can get of
it whilst ours did not exceed
4000. I think we will not venture
upon a battle against such odds
but will wait for re-enforcements
and continue to retire if we are
pressed. You may be certain
to hear from me if I get out
safe from another engagement.
I wrote to you on Sunday night
I have the opportunity of send
thing this [must mean “this thing”] by Jim White, and
as he is about leaving I must
close – So good bye Darling
until my next –
Ever Yours
E F Paxton

E[lisha] F[ranklin] "Bull" Paxton, University of Virginia alumnus and Confederate general; commanded the 27th Virginia Infantry and later the 1st "Stonewall" Brigade at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 2165