1862 March 6 Camp Walker

Camp Walker
Mar 6” 1862
My own darling Wife
To day is thursday [sic] the
day on which all our supplies would
be moved from the Junction which
if done I will get my leave tomorrow,
otherwise not. dont look with too much
certainty for my arrival on Saturday.
we are all in a complete state of un-
certainty no one can tell what a day or
an hour may bring forth – no man can
say to day where he will be on the morrow.
we are not only in a state of uncertainty,
but of danger. This is indeed a very
solemn hour for the Confederacy – our
fate may be decided for us in the
next 15 days. Now is the moment for
Genl Johnston to show his generalship. If
he is the great genl we all think he
is. He must manage to avoid a fight
for 30 days and for sixty if possible.
The great General only fights when he
is ready and will always succeed in
avoiding a contest when not entirely
prepared for it. We are not now, but
will be I think very soon. Heaven grant
we may all be equal to the present
crisis. I am real mad at Jack for
saying the baby was ugly. You certainly

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dont think the little monkey any thing but
pretty. How could my darling pretty Jennie
be the mother of any thing but a very pretty
babby baby. Then she is to bear your name
Jennie Watson and she must be pretty to have
such a pretty name [?] I dont believe a
word about her being ugly, it is all
perfect nonsense. Never mind I will see
her in a few days and then I will just
tell you all of her good points & how very
pretty she will be and is now. So for the
present just consider the matter at rest.
I was amused at George calling her [?]
he is a mischevous [sic] boy & I will pay him
well for his impudence.
I must now close. take a short letter in
the po hope of soon seeing me & hearing me
talk a great deal.
Most truly & affectionately
E T H Warren


"Junction", line 3 - 'Manassas Junction.'

"Genl Johnston", line 16 - 'Joseph E. Johnston, Confederate general, commanding Army of the Potomac.'

"Jennie", page 2, line 2 - 'Warren's wife Virginia 'Jennie' Watson Magruder.'

"Jennie Watson", page 2, line 5 - 'Warren's daughter Virginia 'Jennie' Watson, born 26 February 1862.'

"George", page 2, line 13 - 'Almost certainly Jennie's brother George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th 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