1862 May 13 Camp near Chickahominy River

                   Camp Near Chickyhominy River

                             May 13, 1862
   My Dear Wife
                             I reached here yesterday
morning having left Richmond on Sat-
-urday morning.  I find the men in
good health generally, but they have cer-
tainly seen enough usage during the last
4 weeks.  We are now in a clump
of pine woods without tents and
nothing to eat but army crackers a
little salt port and a little beef.
A severe engagement is daily expected
but how soon it may come off is not
known.  Our Regt. was engaged in the
fight at Williamsburg on Monday the 7th
but suffered very little.  Hugh Smith
was killed.  4 of our Company were slightly
wounded. viz Mr. Dane, Jas  Turklen, Rabb,
and McCreight not our Joe.  Our Joe
is still in Richmond and looks very
hearty.  James Cassady is in Camp

but will probably be discharged, as his eyes
are not much better.  I was not able
to learn any thing of Jimmie Elliott, but
feel that his case may be a bad one.
Jos. A. Lewis of our Company is missing
and is supposed to be a prisoner.
Johnnie is very well and seems to have
stood the hardships as well as any one
of the Company.  The boys have lost nearly
every thing they had save what they had
on.  I am about to complete arrange-
-ments for getting all the boxes to
Camp.  I brought Johnnie’s little box
with me.  Our Company now numbers
between 90 and 100 men and is known
as Boyce Guards Company “G”.  I
will furnish a roll for publication as
soon as possible.  I hope to be able to give
satisfaction to all under me, yet I feel
the heavy responsibility that rests upon
a Captain.  As I have often said I
would prefer a different position, but
as the matter now stands, I must do
the best I can, relying upon the aid

of the author of all things.  It is my present
prayer that we may all be permitted
to join our families and friends, once more
hoping that peace may soon prevail our
happy land.  Mr. Ellison is now in Camp
with me, and will no doubt be able to
give a very glowing description of Camp
life.
     There is so little that has occurred
since I last wrote you that very little
of interest presents itself.  Do write
soon give me all the news.  Let me
know how our ex. Capt. and ex Lieut. are
getting on.  Give much love to all
            Your true and ever affectionate husband
                                               J.M.Phinney
              Direct to Company “G” 6th Regt.
                                                S.C.V.
                     Richmond
                                  Va
                  Write soon and often you can tell
      me of “abram” also

James Monroe Phinney, 6th South Carolina Infantry


[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 12661