I have deferred writing to you ever since young
Pettie has been in the neighbourhood hoping to
and to hear something from you more than I have been able to do.
Indeed I have not been able to get your letter. It had been sent
to Bentonsville, I suppose before our soldiers marched into Front
Royal. I fear you have written for some clothing or something that
requires an answer, I am thinking every minute of my life, when not
asleep about you and dream three and four nights in succession
about you. I am so uneasy for fear you are badly in want of clothing
I know your fare must be very bad; but my greatest trouble is I do
not know how our army is to subsist much longer. I am so much
afraid they can be neither fed not clothed. When the yankees
would laugh and tell how shabbily they were fed and clothed I
thought it was only Yankee stories! but indeed they did not represent it
as bad as it really is. While the Yankies would be marching
about town and galloping through the fields in every direction
I would often wish all of our boys could only be on the mountain
and look down upon them. I could imagine how they would be amused
We saw but little of them at our house. They were as much afraid
of the mountains around us as they could possibly be. Walter called
to see us a short time Saturday evening. We have not been able to
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hear from him. We feel very uneasy knowing he reached Winchester
in time for the fight. I do hope N Pettie will not leave before he
can learn the particulars of things in the direction of Winchester and
Martinsburg. What would I not give to know that the war would
soon close without the loss of another life on either side I think
there are broken hearted mothers enough on both sides. My heart aches
for the poor northern soldiers when any one would come in and speak
of their sufferings. I would have relieved them all if I could--One
poor fellow called your brother and beg[g]ed him to shoot him: told him
he would give him all his money if he would put him out of his
misery. I would be glad if the war would end without either of
my boys killing or being killed. How did you feel when you saw
your companions shot down by your side particularly when you had
to retreat and leave the dead on the fields and the wounded prison-
ers. If I had been a soldier I could not have fought any longer.
Por Willie I feel for him almost as if he was my own son and will be
almost as glad to see him return! which I hope will not be long. I am
told the family bear their trouble much better than could be expected
I suppose they are pleased with the prospect of having him home with
them again even under the afflicting circumstances. I wonder what
poor W will think when he gets home and finds Old Henry Jim
Adam and one other left with the northern army a few days since
Old H was brought back with the prisoners and was yesterday
with all the others carried to Winchester. I suppose he went into the
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army as minister. He announced the fact a few days before! that he
had been called to preach. You may depend I was glad to learn he
had been called so far from home. We can and will most cheerfully
dispense with his services, hoping he may prove a benefit to the north
He may perhaps prove a rival of Henry Ward Beachers. My heart
aches when I think of the quantity of fruit we will have and you and
so many other dear friends and relations will be deprived of the enjoy-
ment of it. I have never seen such a prospect as we have. As I sit
at the window I can look out at your cherry tree and almost imagine
I can see the cherries ripe and you up in the tree enjoying them.
Your Pas little dwarf trees (some of them) are full. If they are not
injured by drouth nor insect. I know no other enemy, they will have
to contend with. I know so little news to communicate. I have an idea of
going down this evening to see if I cannot get something of interest to com
municate to you. Carrie was up this morning. he is very much grieved at the
loss of Old John. He says he was carried off by some of our Soldiers.
Your Pa has given you an account of the good behaviour of the servants
I had ceased to feel any partiality for Moses owing to some circumstances
but his quiet orderly conduct during these exciting times makes me feel
more kindly towards him. Only time my dear boy for a few more
words this morning before I will be compelled to send my letter off
I saw Mr Petty for a few minutes yesterday evening. I was very much
gratified indeed. Cousin Sampson P[?] and Doctor Rixy are
here on their way to Winchester. Cousin P gives a most alarming
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account of conduct of the Federal army in his neighbourhood.
He suffered very severely indeed They carried a wagon to the cabin
door and took his servants of by the wagon load: placed a guard over
the family whilst the officers went through the house and took all
of their silver and every thing portable. Tried to take some things Sue
had but she would not yield to them. They then went to the stable
and took her horse and kept it for several weeks but she at length
went into camp and succeeded in getting it back. They treated Mr
Armstead in the same way whilst they were int he neighbourhood.
I met with Will Cloud yesterday on his way to his company
he has just left Ed who is quite sick in Rockingham. Poor Char
lie Buck is still quite sick up the Valley somewhere. Your
Uncle Newtons spirits are as bad as they can be. I believe the
relations and friends are all well and in as good spirits as could
be expected. The soldiers all appear to be in the highest spirits
imaginable: they do not entertain the slightest idea of the probability of
our defeat. I wish I could feel so. We are exceedingly anxious about
you this morning. We learned yesterday evening that you were fighting
at Richmond Do my dear boy write and let us hear from you imme-
diately. If you cannot write yourself get Mr Simpson or some other friend
to write for you My respects to him as well as every other member of
your company, not forgetting Mr Groves--I wish they all knew the
anxiety and interest I feel for every one of them. Every one sends
much love to you both home and abroad Dickie is a great pet with
every one. may a kind and merciful God spare him to return speedi
ly to us in health and good spirits. Pray to him continually my dear boy
to shield you in the time of battle, that you may be a comfort to us
in our declining years. I pray for you almost every minute of my life
Mr Smedly sends much love to you and other friends.
Farewell your devoted Mother Jane L. Buck.
Letter to Richard Bayly Buck, of the Warren Rifles Co. B of the 17th Virginia
MSS 3064
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