1861 May 7 Bolivar

                                                 Bolivar  May 7th/61
                        Dear Pa,
                                  If you knew how
tired & sleepy I feel this evening you
would appreciate this letter very much,
but I am unwilling for an opportunity
to pass without writing a few lines
home.  Uncle Phil Ashby expects to
start to Culpepper tomorrow, & I intend
getting him to take this as far as
Culpepper, & mail it there.  Cousine
Will As[h]by got back to day, he says
great excitement prevails at the CH.
There has been right much excitement
here in the last day or two, but is more
quiet now.  There has been some rumour
of an attack on this place, for the last
day or two, but I do n’t believe the
report myself, for if they intend
attacking this place, I do n’t see what

[page 2]
they are waiting for, as they must
know that we are making more
preparations for defense every day.
I think it would be a right hard
matter to take this place, & if thes
attack is delayed much longer, I
think it will be almost invincible.
More soldiers are coming in every day.
I had a right hard time yesterday &
last night, I was put on guard yester-
day at eight oclock, & was n’t relieved
until to day at one oclock, stood four
hours yesterday in a hard rain, four
more last night & one this morning,
while I was n’t on guard, I had to
stay in the guard house. I do n’t think
I slept over an hour last night all
together.  By pressing some garden
pailings into “service”, I mad[e] a shelter
& kept tolerable dry.  I’ve gotten so used
to standing guard, that I do n’t mind
it much now.  I believe I could get
used to anything now.

[page 3 ]
I heard you spoke of coming over here, to
see how we were getting along, I would be
delighted to see you, I do n’t expect you
atall.  We all expect Cap. Murry [Henry William Murray] & the others
tomorrow.  I hav n’t filled my bed
tick yet, must be looking out for some
body’s “hay stack”.  I doubt very much
whether I could sleep in a good bed
now or not.  Am afraid I’ll forget how
to use a knife & a fork, as I’ve not
used one for so long a time.  It is getting
time for me to stop.  I will write a long
letter soon, you all must write often to
me.  I am very well.  I expect to get
letters from home tomorrow.  My very
best love to all inquiring friends & at
home.  respects to all of the Blacks.
                   from devoted & most
                             Aff son, Edloe
P.S.
     Let me here something of Pen.
                                            P.E. Jones
Major F. Wm. Jones


Philip Edloe Jones and his brothers John William Jones, and Francis Pendleton Jones all served in the Louisa Blues, 13th Virginia Infantry. John W. was later famous as the author of Christ in Camp.


MSS 13407