1862 March 6 Manassas, Va.

Manassas March 6th
My Dear Mother,
Your letter of the 27th was only
received this evening, I have been so busy till one or two
oclock every night that I have had no time whatever to
write to any one. During the day, it is one constant run
of Government & RR business till we are all completely
broken down, Some important movement is going on,
Nothing less I think a falling back to Culpeper or Gordons
ville, late events have rendered this step imperative--
They have stopped all the passenger trains & they run 8 or
10 trains daily from here to Gordonsville altogether by
telegraph. So we are kept-all the time going-No time
scarcely to eat. I dont know how you'll get this but I
am going to try it via Richmond--I have telegraphed once
to Ned and once to you, & telegraph again in the morning--
I wrote to Ned concerning his enlisting, did he get the letter
and my trunk? tell him to answer by telegraph and telegh
yourself whenever you dont hear from me or get uneasy-
I think I can help Father materially, but am waiting
on Ned. I have about $75 00 which I think I can spare--
So at all events, I wanted to send Ned $100 00 to
speculate on if he had not enlisted & I'm certain we
would have had enough to set Father up if Ned had stayed
at home, and used it--in six months--as soon however
as communication is open to Lynchburg, I will send it
to you---It is now two oclock fifteen minutes A.M.
so I must close, am well, wrote to Miss Jeanie & you
both last week, Love to all, Kiss Eva--
Your affecte Son
Charlie


Charles F. Barnes, Private, Co. G, 11th Virginia
MSS 4444