1862 October 21 Camp near Winchester

Camp Near Winchester Oct 21 62
My Dear Charles
Your very kind letter en-
closing one from Dr Tucker intro-
ducing me to Dr McGuire was recd
on yesterday.  I had also recd one from
you a few before which had not
had an opportunity to answer--
My health had been bad since the
first week I left Richmond, but while
in Md where we rested a day or two
I took some medicine & was tempo-
rarily relieved--When at Sharpsburg
I was in line of battle from Monday
evening until Wednesday evening
without any thing to eat (indeed we
had had nothing since Sunday night
as we marched Monday Morning at
one Oclock), and My diarrhea be
came worse and I was only able to
keep on the field at all by the use of
opium which I happened to have in
my pocket Since then I have suf
fered all the time there being no
more action from my liver than if I
had none and nothing that I eat
digesting at all.  I am however

[poage 2]
not very sick--being generally able to
attend to my duties.  I have the most
[overgrown?] appetite even for our rations
of beef & flour and can now understand
how the judge manages to eat so much
when he is sick.  I think if I could
be at your table with you usual good
Mutton before me I could give him
a hard race for the biggest eater.
Return my thanks to the Dr for his letter.
I asked for a furlough to go home for 15 days
but I was only allowed the privilege of going
to Wincheser.  If I should become more
uncomfortable here I will go to Winches-
ter & present his letter.   Soon after crossing
the Potomac I was sent to Winchester
on business & recognized Mrs M[?]
as I passed her house as some one I
had seen before but I could not
for my life remember who it could be
I never thought about the Dr and
of his relatives being Tucker family being
from Winchester  When I go to Win
chester again I shall call & see her,
for I remember to have met her in
Richmond several times.
  I am encamped in the orchard
of Mr George Seavors who says he
is well acquainted with all the
family of Tuckers.  He resides in
Winchester but frequently comes out to

[page 3]
his farm which is superintended by his
brother Thomas an old batchelor.  He
is very kind to me & seems to have taken
quite a fancy to me.  I have the priv-
ilege of his house whenever I desire it.
  I do not know what to say to
you about the Army's Movement.  On
Friday morning last about 3 oclock
we were ordered to "hitch up" and
to be ready to Move at daylight, We
soon had our tents struck and wag-
ons packed and remained in that
position until Saturday evening.
I learned afterwards that the occa-
sion of it was that the enemy had
made some demonstration near
Charlestown and a general advance
was anticipated.  The result of it
all was that there was an artillery
duel in which the long range guns
of the 2nd & 3d Richmond howitzers were
engaged with some little loss to themselves &
quite serious loss to the enemy for the
number engaged.  Capt Smith of the How-
itzers shot in the foot--afterwards ampu-
tated & Lieut Carter wounded in the
shoulder.  We had several others wounded
but only one man killed.  It became ne-
cessary for us to retire & the enemy took
possession of the town but evacuated
it very soon.  They confessed to a loss
of 125 killed & wounded.  If the yan

[page 4]
kees ever had an idea of advancing they
have fallen back and it is now said
that there are none this side of the river.
Some indications induce me to believe
that we are going to remain here some time
Genl Lee has ordered all the clothing to be
forwarded here and 5000 tents are now
"in transitu".  The army is being clothed
& shod and if our Battalion indicates, its
condition  we are not suffering condi
tion  Beef & flour are abundant and
the only difficulty I see to Wintering
here is the scarcity of forage.  The army
I think is in fine condition.  The whole
army is required to drill twice a day
& particular attention is paid to the
horses.  I do not think Gen Lee will
be caught napping.
  John Thomas joined his regiment about
the time we returned from Md, but I
have not met him but once.  I learn
he is now with his Regiment but has
been sick & went to Winchester to recruit.
We are only about a mile apart.  James
Nimmo is very well & sends respects to you
  I trust Newman has succeeded
in arranging his business satisfac
torily--I have not recde his letter
   give my love to Aunt Margt and all
relatives, remembering Thomas &
Cousin
Fannie.Write me when you can for
it is a treat o get a letter from any where
   Truly yours  Jno. L. Eubank

[in left hand margin of page 1]
Tell Dr. P V Ran that I met Dr Styles the day after the Sharpsburg fight
& was immediately reminded of "fullers earth"
and Duck wall

Captain John L. Eubank, Taylor's battery Virginia Light Artillery

MSS 2516