1862 August 12 near Gordonsville, Va.

 Bivouac near Gordonsville   August 12th ‘62
     My Dear Sister –
                                 On Saturday evening last our brigade
then encamped near Richmond received orders to prepare
3 days rations – at midnight we were aroused, our tents
& baggage packed, and we at daylight we embarked
on the central train for Gordonsville & arrived there
about 2 O’clock in the evening. On reaching
this place we learned that Jackson had attacked
Poke on the day previous, and after a severe
Engagement of several hours driven him
several miles from his position. We have been
unable however up to this time, [hole in paper] gather many
particulars of the fight, or to learn what move-
ments are in contemplation. Pryors, Picketts
& Wilcox’s brigades are here near us, awaiting as
we are orders from Genl. Jackson who is said to
be falling back. I think it probable that a
general battle will occur in a few days.
     Our reinforcements are pouring in rapidly
and as soon as the dispositions of them have
been made I presume that Genl. Jackson
will renew the assault upon Pope, and attempt
to make the battle a decisive one.
     When we arrived at Gordonsville we found there
some 4, or 500 yankee prisoners who had been taken
in Friday’s fight, and they gene[hole in paper]ly agreed insisting
that Poke had been recently st [paper torn] by numerous
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accessions, and that his entire force amounted
to 150,000 men – if he has half that number
however it is greater than I believe.
    Genl. Jackson’s army is about twenty miles
in advance of this place now, and Conse-
quently I have as yet had no opportunity of
seeing Abram. He is however, as I learned
from a courier of his Company quite well,
and passed through the battle unscathed.
     I do not think it probable that any move-
ment of importance will occur on this
line for four or five days at least. Both
armies are probably somewhat shocked
and desperate to appropriate a short while
for [?] recuperating & refitting.
     It is said that as evidences of our late vic-
tory we have 1000 prisoners, and an ammu-
nition train, many small arms & four can-
non.  As soon as I can learn fuller
and more accurate news from the field
will give you-all a more lengthened
account.
     The weather is exceedingly warm
but we have a pleasant encampment in
the woods, and manage to get on
very comfortably. Please send me
a few stamps, in your next. My love
to all. Will write again tomorrow.
                   Affect-ly Your brother
                        J. W. Daniel.

Lt. John Warwick Daniel, Co. C, 11th Virginia Infantry

[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS