Saturday, March 3, 2012

1862 March 4 Winchester, Va.

Winchester, Va. March 4th, 1862.
Dear Lt. [John Warwick] Daniel –
Since I came to the valley last November I have
received two letters from you – and promptly answered both letters – I fear
you have not received my letters, as I have heard nothing from
you since the reception of your 2d letter. The desire to be in the
same service with you – to have you as a daily companion, prompts
me to write you again. You will not be surprised when I inform you
that I have entered the service for the war - & that two thirds of my com-
pany have gone in with me. My Company will be composed of Volun-
teers almost entirely, & the whole number will be made up of the best men
in the 27th Regt. Haynes will not be re-elected. The men are entirely in your
favor just as I am – You can if you will accept it be made first Lt.
of the Company upon its organization. Afterwards Captain of the Compa-
ny – for I shall oppose ever field officer in the Regt. from the Col.
down & can be elected I think beyond a doubt. This will make
you Captain of my old Company - & I shall be satisfied. I would
know then that they were under a man generous & brave – one in
whom I have every confidence. You know the material of the Com-
pany – how agreeable it is to command them, & how much you can rely
upon Them. – They are much attached to you - & you would have no
difficulty with them. I find myself at the end of ten months ser-
vice with them – So much attached to them, that I could not quit Them
under any other & have a high sense of duty – I must at least place them with
a man I love & who has always felt & interest & affection for them – You are
the man above all others whom I would select - & I hope you will find it –

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consistent with your duties to come with us for the war accept the
proposition.
We have been upon the battlefield for four days, near Winchester.
The weather is exceedingly cold & disagreeable, but notwithstanding
the severity of the weather the men are cheerful & happy - & seem anxious
to meet the forces of the enemy – The Yankees have occupied Charleston & Martinsburg - & will doubtless advance upon this place in a very short
time. Their numbers are much superior to ours - & I am unable to
say whether Jackson will retreat or fight – I expect he will fight from
the preparations he is making if so, May God in his goodness give
us a decisive victory over our enemies –
Bob is still with us & as faithful as ever - & goes in for the
war –
If you can possibly visit us at my camp do so. I should be very
happy to see you – to talk over the past – to enjoy your society again, and
to lay plans for the future - whereby we may miss the glory of never driving
rains - & contribute all we are in the best possible manner to
the cause of human liberty – now making its last stand upon the evil
of our glorious mother state. Virginians should never surrender – we
must have no more Roanoke Islands or Fort Donnelson [Donelson]– Donnelson is a
bad name – I never liked it with the Andrew Jackson attached, which is
the only merit it ever possessed –
Write me immediately upon receipt of this letter. I send it to Lynchburg – for
fear it may not reach you – as I have forgotten the number of your Rgt.
My kindest regards to your father – all the men send much love – I am the
onely Comd. officer here - Your true friend
Lewis P. Holloway [27th Regiment]

Federal troops under Nathaniel Banks advanced up the Shenandoah Valley toward Winchester March 5, 1862

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, afterwounded in 1864, wards studied law at the University of Virginia, eventually becoming a U.S. Senator. Severely he was known as the "Lame Lion of Lynchburg" and was a noted orator.

[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158

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