1862 May 6 Brampton Madison County,

Brampton
May 6, 62

My dear Georgia

There was some excitement
on yesterday in the neighborhood from
the fact that a body of Federal
Cavalry had occupied Culpepper C H
this morning.  A courier from there
staid at my house at night & he
estimated the enemy at 500, but it
now seems that they did not number
ovver sixty & that from some mis=
apprehension our Cavalry numbering
one hundred retreated.  The Captain lost
two horses and a negro & several men
who were out fishing were captured.
There is a painful rumor which I
believe to be true that Robt E Scott
was killed on Friday last--It seems
that two yankee deserters had established

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themselves in a cabin on his
premises with a free negro, & were
committing many depredations, &
that with some others Mr Scott
was to arrest them when he was
shot and a gentleman with him.
The Federal Cavalry retreated
from Culpeper, but I fear
they will return with a force for a more
permanent stay.  It is said that
a regiment of our troops came yesterday
to Rapidan to picket.  I wrote you last
week to send over my carriage
horses by Jim, but have seen nothing
of him or Geo.  I propose doing a little
work with them & then coming over
to see you think I shall come next
week.  I have nearly planted my

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corn & when the garden is put in order
& the ice pond too fixed I shall
feel more at leisure.  It was never
more necessary to make every effort to
raise supplies for the future, and yet
there does not seem to be any active
efforts made.  Our people are despondent.
Confidence in Mr Davis capacity is gone
& the belief is that Virginia will be
given up to the Yankees, yet evils are
hardly ever as great as we anticipate,
and I hope cheerfully for a better day
yet in store for us.
The box of Soap sent over to you should be opened
& sun exposed to the Sun. Keep the Salt very
carefully in a dry place we will need it very
much in the Fall.  I do not know what

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Garden seeds to bring over to you I have
but few left that you would need.
The garden is in a bad plight but a few
days will improve its appearance very
much.  I am preparing a bed for tomatoes
& early yams.  Have planted okra, snap beans
an abundance of salsify and a small
lot of beets & parsnips--The corn is up & looks
well.  The country is assuming a beautiful
appearance & nature shows no sign of the ravages
around us.  The wheat field in front of the
house does not look well, was much injured
by the fly last Fall has not recuperated.
The field on the river promises a good yield
John Welch has returned-. Cal Welch is
seriously sick and looks very badly
All send their love to Fanny & yourself
a kiss for our boys.  I wish to be with you
very much--My love to Fanny, Yrs most truly
A.G.G.

First Union raid in vicinity of Culpeper occurred May 5, 1862


Robert Eden Scott, 1801-1962, served in the House of Delegates and represented Virginia in the Provisional Confederate Congress, 1861-1862.  As Grinnan relates he was killed in a skirmish with a group of Union deserters in Fauquier County, Va.


Andrew Glassell Grinnan, 1827-1902 to Georgia Screven Bryan Grinnan, 1837-1912


MSS 2188-a