1862 April 8 Rappahannock River

Rappahannock River
April 6” or 7” [8] 1862. Capt Jamisons
Tuesday
My own darling Wife
I had another bout with the Yankeys yesterday
Genls Ewel [sic] & Elzey were both present & approved of all
my plans. They threw a good many shells at us but
fortunately hurt no one & retired in about two hours
I had a good force & would have made a gallant
fight if they had attempted a crossing, which they will
not attempt here. at dark yesterday evening I was
relieved from duty & I fell back with Billy to the
house of Capt Jamison about 200 yds from my former
head quarters & here I expect to remain until the
rain stops & the sun comes out. I like my horse
first rate – he stands fire – can canter or run as I like
& jumps fences &c like a red deer. I think he
will suit me to a T. and besides I think he
will soon be as gentle as Frank. I can form
no just idea of how long we will remain here
we may leave any day & may not leave for
a month & when we do go cant say in what
direction. One thing however is certain, unless

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something is shortly done for the reorganization of our
regiment we will have none at all. about 50 of our men
have deserted since we got to this side of the river
and a great many others are desirous of entering
some other branch of the service. Other regiments
are being filled up to a 1000 men ours & the
13” alone seem to be neglected. I dont like the
idea of its going down and yet I would not be
at all surprised if I should not be reelected if
it does reorganize for I understand that the
regiments & companies which have been reor-
ganized have made a clean sweep of all offi-
cers. I have one consolation, if I am defeated
I will take a good furlough before reentering
the service. I feel greatly at my ease since I
was relieved. For ten days & nights I have been on a stretch
of anxiety & never took off either boots or spurs except one
night & then only for part of the night. Last night Dr
Taylor & I slept in a good bed with clothes off & I intend
to remain until it quits raining. I have heard good
news too. it is said that Genl Jackson has won
a great victory in the Valley & Genl Sydney Johnson
won one in North Alabama. Now if Magruder can
only hold his own at Yorktown, our hopes may

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indeed begin to brighten. I am yet full of hope that
we cannot be driven from Virginia, and you will
not be called on [to] decide whether you will stand
your ground or go South. My belief is that the
enimy [sic] will not get to Gordonsville & certainly
not to the state of Fla. from all we can
learn here the force opposite us is not very
large I dont think it exceeds 12000 if that
If I am right on this they will not attempt
to go further up than the Rappahannock River
& if they do we will be certain to bag them
But this force may be increased at any time
& hence we must be all the time on the look
out. But enough of all this conjecture – How
are you all coming on? How is Jennie Watson
is she as cross as ever? I have not heard one
word from you since James came down. Dont
you ever write! If you will direct your
letter to Culpeper I will get it. be certain
to write as soon as you get this and
never believe any reports you hear from
our Division unless I write it. Dr Taylor
went to Culpeper yesterday (Monday) & heard there that
I had been whiped [sic] from the river & that the enimy [sic]

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had crossed to this side. So you see that you
can believe nothing you hear. But you must
write to me I cant stand never hearing from you and
I think you will find no dificulty [sic] in getting letters
through the mail – so just try it darling.
The report of victory in the west is confirmed – it is a
great victory & will be great in its results – it will save
Virginia. our communication with the South is
safe & there will be no necessity for falling back
now. Genl Sydney Johnson is dead but Beauregard
is in “hot pursuit” – has taken 100 field pieces, and
over 6000 prisoners. I hope he will continue the
pursuit until the Yankeys are utterly destroyed. I
think this victory will afford Virginia as much
relief as a victory by Magruder or Jackson.
It is indeed something to rejoyce [sic] over. The
report that Jackson has won a victory
is not true, he has had no fight.
Dr Taylor has returned & reports mud knee deep
in camp. My darling you must send me a
note how you are & whether little Jennie is getting
pretty & white & if Lizzie & Jim are still growing
fat. I wish I could this evening take them on
each knee & give them a good smacking. bless
their little pictures, Papa does want to see
them so bad. Give them both a good smack for
Papa & tell little Jennie she must be a better child
Most affectionately & devoutly
E T H Warren



"Genl Ewel", line 2 - 'Richard S. Ewell, Confederate general, commanding division.'

"Elzey", line 2 - 'Arnold Elzey, Confederate general, commanding brigade.'

"Frank", line 15 - 'One of Warren's horses.'

"about 50 of our men", page 2, line 2 - 'The number of men Warren's complained about being absent without leave (AWOL) or deserters may, in fact, have been as he indicated. However, a detailed study of the compiled service records indicate that thirty-five (35) men were AWOL or deserters at the time of his letter (8 April 1862). The discrepancy, of course, may likely be attributable to the lack of surviving records. Of the thirty-five men discovered 1 was from the Field & Staff, 11 from Company A, 5 from Company B, 3 from Company C1, 4 from Company D, 1 from companies E, G, and H each, 3 from Company I, and 5 from Company K2.
Only 8 of these men never served again. The largest number (13) enlisted in various other units (all cavalry, except one artillery unit), 12 returned to duty with their companies, and 2 were discharged for being overage.'

"13"", page 2, line 7 - '13th Virginia Infantry.'

"Dr Taylor", page 2, line 19; page 3, line 22; page 4, line 19 - 'Thomas L. Taylor, Assistant-Surgeon, 10th Virginia Infantry.'

"Genl Jackson", page 2, line 21 -

"Jackson", page 4, line 15 & 17 - 'All referred to Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson, Confederate general, commanding in the Shenandoah Valley.'

"the Valley", page 2, line 22 - 'Shenandoah Valley, Virginia'.

"Genl Sydney Johnson", page, 2, line 22; page 4, line 10 - 'Albert Sydney Johnston, Confederate general, commanding at Battle of Shiloh (6 & 7 April 1862), where he was mortally wounded in action on 6 April.'

"Magruder", page 2, line 23; page 4, line 15 - 'John B. Magruder, Confederate general.'

"Jennie Watson", page 3, line 15 -

"little Jennie", page 4, line 21 & 27 - 'All referred to Virginia 'Jennie' Watson, Warren's daughter born 26 February 1862.'

"James", page 3, line 17 - 'James W. Magruder, Sergeant, Company K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry.'

"The report of victory in the west", page 4, line 6 - 'This is certainly a reference to the Battle of Shiloh fought on 6 and 7 April 1862. Obviously, the news to which Warren refers is only in reference to the fighting on 6 April which was a Confederate victory. However, on 7 April the Union army, after receiving reinforcements, turned the tables.'

"Beauregard", page 4, line 10 - 'Pierre G. T. Beauregard, Confederate general.'

"Lizzie", page 4, line 22 - 'Warren's seven year old daughter.'

"Jim", page 4, line 22 - 'Warren's five year old son James M.'

"smacking", page 4, line 24 -

"smack", page 4, line 26 - 'Both referred to a loud kiss or kissing.'

"E T H Warren", page 4, signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th Virginia Infantry.'


[transcription and annotation by John P. Mann IV]

MSS 7786-g