1862 March 30 Camp Rappahannock, Virginia

Camp Rappahannock

March 30” 1862

My own darling Wife

Yesterday morning Genl Elzey sent

me out with two companies to occupy the

ground on the river bank imediately [sic] op

posite the enimy [sic] with instructions to

resist their efforts to cross &c and I

established my head quarters in the house

formerly occupied by Genl Elzey and

deployed my men as skirmishers along

the line occupied by our men in the

fight of the day before [28 March].  about 11’ oclock

the enimies [sic] pickets disappeared & from the

appearance of the smoke of their camp fires I concluded that

the enimy [sic] had fallen back & sent word

to to [sic] Genl Ewel.  one hour later three reg-

iments of our cavalry crossed the river

& found that they [the enemy] had fallen back &

they followed them to Warrenton Junction

taking 20 prisoners & returned yesterday evening

[page 2]

The fight [of 28 March] occured [sic] in this way.  The

enimy [sic] in strong forced [sic] pressed closely

on Genl Stuart & appeared on the

hills on the other side of the river

in a moment after Stuart & his men

had got over and opened on them

with shot & shell.  at this moment

the bridge had just been fired and

might have been carried by the enimy [sic]

but our division was called out

& formed in the high ground on

this side  our brigade resting on the

right & our regiment deployed as

skirmishers.  the M^d Reg on the right

left & opposite the ford near the

bridge  Nearly the whole of their fire

was directed against our brigade

and our regiment more than any

other & the right wing under my

command decidedly the hotest [sic].  the

shell & ball flew all around us

It was so hot that I ordered the right

wing to advance & threw them forward

[page 3]

some 30 or 40 yds & thus we avoided

their range  it is most providential

that none of us were hurt while in

this position, which we held until

near dark when two pieces of our

artillery being disabled we fell

back about 1 ½ miles & again formed

in line of battle & there we still

are with half rations & nearly knee

deep in mud.  my men are in better

condition than any of them – all

are under shelter but those on duty

as we were retiring our little Par

son was knocked from his horse by

a shell but not seriously hurt.

I dont know how long we will

remain here – our wagons are at Cul-

peper & I suppose we will soon

join them, but do not certainly

know anything about it.  bad as I want

to get to Orange I dont think we

ought to leave here.  I sent Billy up

yesterday for my horse & clothes  I hope

[page 4]

he will get back tomorrow or

next day.  Dont be uneasy about

me darling, that dont make it any

better.  There is no likely hood of the

enimy [sic] advanct advancing for several

days to come – they cant do it – in

the present condition of the roads,

nor do I think we can do much towards

getting away  our wagons are ten miles

ahead is one thing in our favor if

any retreat is attempted by us.

  Take care of yourself – be a good girl

tell little Jennie not to cry so much

& Jim & Lizzie not to eat every thing

up so Papa will have none when

he comes to see us.

 Most devotedly & affectionately

ETH Warren

"Camp Rappahannock", heading - 'Near Rappahannock Station, present-day Remington, Fauquier Co.'

"Genl Elzey", line 1 & 7 - 'Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanded the brigade in which the 10th Virginia Infantry served.'

"Genl Ewel" , line 14 - 'Richard S. Ewell, Confederate general, commanded the division in which Elzey's Brigade served.'

"Genl Stuart", page 3, line 3 -

"Stuart", page 3, line 5 -  'Both referred to James Ewell Brown JEB Stuart, Confederate cavalry general.'

"the Md Reg", page 2, line 14 - '1st Maryland Infantry.  This unit served in the same brigade with the 10th Virginia Infantry.'

"our little Parson", page 3, lines 13& 14 - 'Joseph P. Hyde, Chaplain, 10th Virginia Infantry.  In fact, Chaplain Hyde was injured more than Warren noted.  In addition to a concussion, his right leg was paralyzed.  Chaplain Hyde did not return to duty until 17 June 1863.  During most of his time absent from the regiment, Hyde served on the staff of the Wesleyan Female Institute, Staunton.'

"Billy", page 3, line 22 - 'William Rolston, private, Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry.'

"little Jennie", page 4, line 13 - 'Warren's youngest daughter Virginia 'Jennie' Watson, born 26 February 1862.'

"Jim", page 4, line 14 - 'Warren's five year-old son James M.'

"Lizzie", page 4, line 14 - 'Warren's seven year-old daughter.'

"ETH Warren", page 4, signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.'

[transcription by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g