Thursday, October 18, 2012

1862 October 19 Martinsburg, Va.



Letter from Captain A. S. Pendleton to Miss Mary, 19 Oct. 1862

Camp at Martinsburg
                                                       Sunday Oct. 19th 1862

My Dear Miss Mary
                                    While all the rest
of our family except Dr. McGuire, and
myself are at church and he is en
-joying himself across the fire read-
-ing one of Alex. Dumas’ novels, I
know of no better [way] of spending the
morning than walking from the
old U.V. to Charlottesville along
with your fair self, and having
a quiet chat as we go.  So just sup
-pose my bow made, and myself re-
splendent in all the glories of the
finest new uniform Richmond
could make, and rejoiced at being al-
-lowed the pleasure of escorting Miss

[page 2]
Mary to church, knowing, as I do, how
well she looks, in full dress this lovely
October morning.
Do you remember my telling you, the
night we called on Miss Flora  MacD,-
that if I found myself in a difficulty
your name would get me out of it.?
Little did I think, as I spoke in jest,
that ‘twould come to pass.  But ‘tis
even so.  There had been an under
-standing between Miss Laura Bur
-well & myself, which, to my sorrow,
seemed on my return to Winchester
likely to prove serious.  I cogitated
long and deeply, and had just
made up my mind to abide by
the consequences of my own imprud-
-ence, when one morning some
four weeks ago, some kind but
unknown friend of mine inform-

[page 3]
 ed the young lady that I was
a great villain &c.&c, and was
engaged to a young lady at the Univ-
ersity – Whereupon Miss L, gave
me to understand that, her regard
for Capt. Pendleton was of the very
highest – but for various reasons –
some of which he doubtless knew –
all intercourse must cease.  So
thanks to you, who have again
acted as my guardian angel, I
am again cast free upon the
“cold charities of an unfeeling
world”.  I write flippantly Miss
Mary, but a more grateful
creature for an unforeseen and
providential deliverance you
never saw, than I am at this
moment.
     Apropos of such affairs, our

[page 4]
friend R. H. McK. has actually gotten
himself into another trap, set for
unsuspecting youth by no less a per
-sonage than Miss Agnes Phillips
of Staunton.  I saw him a few days
ago, just returned from S., and as
I taxed him with it, he blushed,
grew confused, and finally did not
deny it.  I wish he were safely out of it.
I think I know one young man, who
has learned discretion by experience.
Mr. Mackall is here in our army –
Adjutant of Major Hilary Jones Battalion
of Artillery, which is in D. H. Hill’s division
He says his health is better than for
years, and he certainly looks well.
We had a nice long talk about
old times the other day, and came
to the conclusion that we should
much prefer a fall campaign
and winter quarters among the
classic shades to those we shall

[page 5]
probably see among these mountains.
And we both agreed, if a kind Provid-
-ence spares us, to meet and spend
some happy hours once more at
the old U.V – on the lawn, and
at Carr’s Hill.  I don’t know about
the pleasures of Hope – but the
pleasures of Those Memories, are
to me unalloyed.
     Just at this point Dr. McGuire
wished to know to whom I was
writing, and on being informed,
assured me that his recollection
of a pleasant time in June was
very vivid – He wished to know how
all are at Mr. Colston’s, and also
how old Miss Betty is – which
latter you need not tell her un
-less you want to turn her head.

[page 6]
But the Dr. says he intends to come
to Charlottesville the very first time
he can get a furlough – and if I can
get off, you may possibly see me
also.
     But we have gotten in our walk
almost to the Church door, and
not one question yet as to the
health of your neighbors.  How
is Miss Sue?  As she is not dead,
of course she is better – Remember
me to her.
     We are all ablaze with excite
-ment here at the news of Bragg’s
great victory in Kentucky over
Buell; and the country here is
ablaze with railroad timbers and
buildings; for we are busy now
in putting the Virginia part of
the Baltimore and Ohio R. R.

[page 7]
among the things that were.
What we shall do, or where we go
next, I do not know, nor do I wish
to.  I am fast becoming indifferent
as to anything but the termination
of the war – But I have no
doubt you are not indifferent
as to the termination of this
letter, and as Jim is here with
a plate of fine apples, I show
you into Church, commend
you to Mr. Meade’s care, and
wish you good day –
     I don’t expect any answer, but
shall [be] overjoyed to see your hand
-writing ­__
                Yrs. very sincerely
                        A.S. Pendleton




[The entire transcription is of course verbatim, with interlineations in brackets.
Transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards, 18 July 2007.
Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, Univ. of Virginia]






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