1862 June 13 near Richmond, Va.

Adjt. Jno. W. Daniel
     11th Va. Regmt.
                        Judge Wm. Daniel Jr.
                             Lynchburg,
                                       Va.

                         Camp   June 12th ‘62
My Dear Father –
                               I have just
written Grandmama a long
letter [.] I will not write any
of you at Rivermont but a
few lines till tomorrow.
All quiet – no particular
indications of a fight. We
remain in our old Camp,
& are doing nothing –
     Will let you hear from
me tomorrow. I enquired
concerning the saddle at
Mr. Hix’s [?] stable. It was
there: My Best love to
Ma, & Mrs. Cabell
             Your affect. Son
                John W. Daniel
I saw Stuart yesterday – He was
doing admirably – JWD.

[This next letter is written upside down on stationery pre-printed, “Muster Roll of the Field, Staff and
Band,]
                              Camp near Richmond
                                                June 13th 1862.
     My Dear Sarah –
                                It has been many days since I
had the pleasure of hearing from you by letter,
and as I am anxious to have our correspond-
dence resumed, I will attempt to invoke it by
by reminding you that one of the dearest
and greatest pleasures of an absent soldier
is to receive frequent intelligence from the
loved ones left at home – relatives from
whom a moment may separate from not
for a day or a year but forever!
     But enough of this – write me as often as
you can consistently with your other duties
and be assured I will always give your
letters prompt attention –
     I learn that you have recently been en-
gaged in your final examination, & I have
 been glad to know that you were devoting
yourself to your studies with praiseworthy diligence
and that you daily enjoyed the [-]
of advancement, & self improvement –
     I hope it needs no encouragement from me
to stimulate you in your laudable course –
but I assure you that I am highly satisfied, and
will always be by such evidences of
of your wisdom – May you continue with
the favor of heaven to grow wiser & better every
day –
     Papa I suppose has duly delivered
the momentoes of the Seven Pines which I sent  
you by him, and has given you all accounts
of his experience on the battle-fields.
     The spectacles which he witnessed were
horrible beyond description   - and presented
a terrible picture of the suffering, and disasters
of war. I will not attempt to rehearse the
events [of] the day again as I am
satisfied that he has given you much
better description of the scenes of the memorable

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31st. than I would be able.
     We are just now lying quietly [rest of line torn off]
without excitement of any post to inter-
rupt its tediousness – The enemy it is re-
ported have fallen back many sev-
eral miles beyond his former positions
and is digging dirt lustily – I think there
will be no fight for several weeks.
     McClellan I have no doubt is convin-
ced of the impractiibility of over coming
even with his tremendous army the
gallant soldiers we have assembled for
the defense of the Capitol and has
retired to await the arrival of reinforce-
ments.
      I have heard nothing from Abram
for a long time but I suppose he is doing
well. remember me to him when you
write. Tell me what has become of
Olwiny [?] & Pat, & Willie Norvall, & remember me
to them all & also Uncle Sam & family.
Love to Aunt Ann, Annie, Uncle Davie, Aunt
Margaret & family – Mrs. Adams - &c –
     Write me at once – Tell Carrie
& Adele also to write –
                           Your affect. Brother
                                                    Jno. W. Daniel
By the first opportunity send me my
mahogany writing desk, & some station-
ery. Young Green I expect will be down
in a day or so –
                       J. W. D.

John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, disabled in the Battle of the Wilderness, later a University of Virginia law graduate, U. S. Senator and famous orator, known as the "Lame Lion of Lynchburg."

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 158