1862 May 27 Front Royal, Va.

Front Royal May. 27. 1862
My Precious Son--Dearer to me
far than my life--
After months of suspense and anx-
iety; we have learned from your let-
ter to W, and through the kind note
of Captain Simpson, that you are still
alive and well--(We did not
get a letter from you, but learn
there was one sent which we still
hope to receive--)

My Dear Son! How has it fared
with you and the other dear friends
with you in the awful act of the
great drama which has been performed
since that letter was received?
is the question I am constantly ask-
ing myself--I fear it will be a long
time before it will be answered--Let
me beg that you relieve our anxiety
and suspense as early as possible.
Since you heard from us last the
health of the family has been
very good; except my own which
has been worse perhaps than you
have known it---I suffer terribly
with Dyspepsia, my head & side being
the points of greatest pain--
We were greatly grieved at
the news of the casualties in your com-
pany at Williamsburg--Cousin Willies fam
ily bore it surprisingly--I have been
to see Peyton Scroggins' Mother frequently

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since the news was received--She is
still ignorant of her sons' fate-
Gussie if still alive is at Col
Lances'--we have not heard a word
from her for months.  The only news
we have had from them since the
first occupation of Winchester was
that they had lost all their Negroes
and horses--We have as yet only
lost one servant- "Little George" and
I am well satisfied he would not
have left if he had not been persua
ded away by persons out side of
the army--My fear is Shields' army
gave them any encouragement to go
indeed.
It was rumored for several
days that Amos Graves  had fallen at
Williams burg--We were greatly concerned
for him and I went over to prepare
his wife for a confirmation of
the report--Tell him his family is
well and doing fully as well as
a majority around them--better I think.
Your Ma promises to write to you
and give you the news of the neighbor
hood, and Mr Petty will of course
tell you of the stirring scenes which
have passed in this vicinity lately.
I greatly fear for you health du
ring the warm spring and summer
months in a climate new to you-
Observe these rules for its preservation.
Be moral, temperate, and as far as possible
cheerful & hopeful.

[page 3]
Keep clean, if your supply of
clothing will allow. Abstain from green
fruits; and don't indulge too much
even in those that are ripe--Vegetables
are healthy for you as a corrective of
salt food; but there is great
danger of Diarrhea from too free
indulgence in some kinds--
I am in great trouble about your
clothing--but can give you no assistance
in that way--Indeed if the pre-
sent state of things lasts here, I do
not know how we are to have our
own clothing manufactured--In
that particular I must leave you
to your own resources--Save your means
for that purpose and watch your
opportunity to get what you need
Do you often think of us?
and of how dearly we all love
you? Scarcely an hour passes that
we do not speak of you-and you
and Walter are constantly in my thoughts
What would I not give if this
horrid and destructive war was over
and you could come home and
help me to provide for & take care of
the family!   Let me again say to you
as I have often done before--If an
enemy is in your power, sick wounded
or a prisoner--Treat him kindly--It
is cruel to do otherwise, and you
will suffer terrible remorse if you
do when the excitement of the war is over.
The children and servants send you

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innumerable messages of love.  Marie
comes in last of all to tell you me
to say to you that you must come
home in time to eat cherries.
Jaque is a noble boy and is of
great service to me--The little chil-
dren are more interesting than ever, and
have grown a good deal--Ellis is
a fine industrious boy--and does my er-
rands--Mary & Eltie are little beauties
and as full of life as kittens--
When you write home; be sure to
tell us fully of your situation in
regard to clothing food &c.
Kind remembrances to every member
of your company--with thanks to Capt
S for his letter--Let us hear from
you early, if possible.  Mr Smedley
seems to love you and Walter almost
as well as if you were his own sons
If they knew I was writing they would send
messages--
God take care of you and
bless you  Truly Your Affectionate
Parent
M. B. Buck

Letter to Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, of the "Warren Rifles,"  Co. B of the 17th Virginia.


MSS 3064