1862 May 19 Richmond, Va.

           Richmond May 19th 1862
My Dear Father –
                                   I obtained per-
mission to visit the city for a
few hours this morning for the
purpose of procuring some ne-
cessary articles and while here
I have determined to avail my-
self of the kindness of Mr. Boyd
to send you a letter.)
     Our regiment is now encamp-
ped about four miles from the
city on the New Kent pike,
and near the position I suppose
which it will hold in battle
Should the enemy attack in
that direction. Our soldiers
are in excellent spirits,
confident in their ability to
defeat the enemy, and unless
some great blunder is made
by our authorities I do not fear

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For the result of the impending
struggle.
     Strange to say I have re-
ceived no letter from you since
the engagement at Wil-
liamsburg, and I am utterly
unable to account for it.
     The mails have arrived reg-
ularly, but still I can get
no intelligence from you.
     Please let me hear from you
as soon as possible, as I am
quite anxious to do so. Address
me at Richmond.
     Our march from the
Peninsula to this place was prob-
ably attended with more
hardship then any in which
we have yet participated, and
during the last day or so
I was not able to keep my
place with the regmt. on ac-
count of weakness in my

[page 3]
wounded limb which com-  
pelled me to walk slowly.
     I experienced but little pain,
and weakness (alone) of the
limb occasioned the incon-
venience. I do not feel it
now, but whenever we
are called upon to take a
long march I doubt not it
will recur. This fact makes
me desirous of obtaining some
position which will entitle
me to horse, as I am satisfied
in some such capacity I can
be of much more service.
     If Genl. Echols has not yet
selected his staff, and you
could get some influen-
tial friend to suggest my
name I doubt not he
would give me the appoint-
ment of Aid-de-camp or
Adjt. Genl. Either of which

[page 4]
positions would be satisfactory.
Should this fail, I might se-
cure some place in the
Division of State troops which
is to be raised for Genl.
Floyd – either on one of the
Genls. staffs or by raising one
of the companies of artillery
Or Cavalry. I am so exclu-
ded in the army from all
sources of Communication
with those who could aid
me that I find it almost
[im]possible to arrange any
plan of my own, and
I therefore frequently lose
opportunities which frequently
if improved would be
successful.
     I suppose that Lt. Hollo-
ways Old Company failed
to receive my letter announ-
cing my willingness to ac-

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cept Command of the Com-
pany and have Consequently
Chosen some one else.
I have heard nothing from
them.
     Please write me at
once. I am enjoying pretty
good health.
     Remember me affection-
ately to all at home,
& believe me
            Your affectionate Son
                           John W. Daniel


Lt. John Warwick Daniel, Co. C, 27th Virginia Infantry and Co. C., 11th Virginia Infantry, 1842-1910. Later a U.S. Senator from Virginia and noted orator.  Known as the Lame Lion of Lynchburg.

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158