Monday, April 2, 2012

1862 April 3 New Market, Shenandoah Co., Va.

My dear Nannie
No doubt
you have expected a letter
from me some time before
this but you will excuse me
when I tell you that this is
the first time that I have
been still I left home.
I suppose you heard that I
did not get off on Saturday---
Davidson Trucks burial took place
on Sunday and my party wish-
ed to remain until that was
over--I tho't that I would return
home & stay with you until
Sunday night when I found
that I would not leave on
Saturday for it seemed to me
that I had been with you so

[page 2]
little but then I thought the pain
of parting would have to be again
undergone which to me was quite
a sad trial. We got off on Sunday
however tho- the train was cons-
iderably crowded, we got to Lynch-
burg some time after day light,
too late to make connections with
the South Side train--we were
therefore detained a day in L.
whilst there I had my picture
taken for sister Sophia &
sent it home by Ben Craft,
I met with a very nice little ac-
quaintance of mine, Charlie Sanders,
who gave me a very cordial in-
vitaiton to supper. I went home
with him and had a very pleasant
time indeed--I remained until
ten o clock--did not stay all night
although I was insisted upon
.
Some of the party when they
found they could not go on the
O & A Road for several days,

[page 3]
were in favor of going back to
Wytheville & waiting--among these
were my friend Harold and the
Orderly Sergeant who was mar-
ried a short time since.
We left, after remaining a day,
on the S.S. R. on which we had
an accident in which no one was
hurt, just before arriving at the
Danville Junction & arrived at
Richmond about sundown--
Bill got separated from me at
the cars and I did not find
him until next day which
caused me to stay a day in the
city--I did not stay a great while
at the depot looking for Bill, thinking
he would go to the Hotel, but
he went to the house of Mr. Kruger
the gentleman who married Mrs. McGav-
ock's sister--I heard he was there
and went for him thereby getting
to see the young ladies they
look a little like their cousin "Sallie."

[page 4]
I started the next morning
after finding Bill but lost my
transportation ticket and had to
pay my way. I arrived at
Gordonsville in time to take the
Staunton train but let it go
off and leave me. I was there-
fore compelled to stay at the
station all night--I slept in the
cars that night--next morning
I left on a freight train
for Staunton where I arrived
about five o'clock. I met
a detachment of our company
at Staunton who had been sent
up there with three twenty four
pounders. I found out where
cousin Wm Tate lived the evening
I got to Staunton and went up
& staid all night--had a very
pleasant time--made the acquaint
ance of cousin Belle and Maggie.

[page 5]
It took us two days to get to
camp from Staunton--our camp
was there about four miles below
this place & I have just re-
turned from a third trip to
Staunton. I visited our cou-
sins on each occasion. I had a
notion of trying to make the
acquaintance of some of your
old school mates but didn't have
quite enough time. When I ar-
rived at camp I found Jas.
McGavock sick in the Hospital at Mount Jackson,
he remained there several days
afterwards and then came to
camp but was taken sick again
and has been sent to the Hospi-
tal at Harrisonburg where he now is.
Jimmie isn't very sick & I think
he well be well in a short
time--he doesn't wish them to
know at home that he is sick
for fear it will make them
uneasy so you need not tell

[page 6]
them until they inquire
about him. Jas Miller & Jas
Shepherd also are at Hospital
-- they have both been very dan-
gerously ill with Pneumonia
Wm Stuart is also at Hospital
I saw them all yesterday
morning--the first three are
improving--Stuart just went
to the Hospital yesterday.
We were ordered a few days ago by the
Gen. to take our pieces of artillery
to Staunton, as they were not needed
now & to take our muskets again
so we are now quartered in a church
& acting as provost guard in the
town, our Capt. is Provost marshall
--our having to take the musket again
has caused considerable dissatisfac-
tion in the Company.
Capt. Terry went to Richmond
for the purpose of getting a light
battery but failed--some of the
company think it was the Cap-

[page 7]
tain's fault. There is a great deal
of doubt about our being able
to get a battery & if we do not
most of the company want
transfers to artillery & cavalry
companies. I suppose you have
heard of the fight on 23d.
Our Regmt lost about 76 in
killed, wounded & missing.
Lieut Boyd and Joe Graham are
among the prisoners--our com-
pany being detached from the
Regmt was not in the fight.
We are expecting a fight every
day--the enemy are at Edinburg 7
miles from Mount Jackson
Jackson hasn't been reinforced except
by the militia. Please excuse
this badly written letter as it has
been written amidst a great deal
of confusion. Give my love
to all & write soon to your
Bro. Jimmie

James Graham Tate [4th Regiment Virginia Infantry]

MSS 9232-n

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.