Dear Charles
A day or two since I recd your two
letters --one dated 20 Aug and another more
recently. I am obliged to you for your prompt
attention to that matter of business for me.
I assure you I appreciate a letter very
highly now from any source and especially one
from you giving me the news from my friends from
Richmond. since our arrival near Winchester
we have nothing to complain of however in the
way of the mails for our letters have been forwarded
from every point to which they had been sent. My
Company especially has been favored in that way.
A letter from Lynchburg informs me that the Judge
is still at the Springs tho I suppose the cool
weather will hasten his return home. The drought
here is very distressing--There has been no rain in
this section for two months--We have had one or
two frosts and the nights are getting uncomfortable
to be without tents. My company has nothing
but "flags", have been required to leave all our
tents at Or. Co. Ho. I have been suffering for
4 or 5 weeks with diarrhea and it has now assumed
some what of a chronic character. The surgeons
have advised to me to go home for a shot time gut
all furloughs are denied. We get nothing to eat
but beef & flour and which is is poor diet for a
sick man--during the 4 days we were in line
of battle at Sharpsburg I had to take opium
to keep up at all.
From the papers I see you all get more news
from our Army than I know myself. I think much
you get is erroneous. I do not think the enemy
[page 2]
are in any force on this side of the river. They crossed
with about 3000 at Shepherdstown nearly of which force
they lost--also with a few at Wmsport & after we
fell back from Martinsburg they dashed in with
cavalry & artillery but were soon driven out by
our cavalry with the loss of 5 pieces of their artillery
(Mountain Howitzers) Our Pickets now extend
2 Miles North of Martinsburg, I learn
they have also evacuated Harpers Ferry
I see no indications of a move. Indeed
I do not comprehend our delay here. Long-
streets Corps, to which I am attached are en-
camped along the road from Winchester 6 or
8 Miles North and farther on is Jacksons
Corps. The army is increasing rapidly by the
arrival of stragglers & conscripts, and I have
heard it said that the increase is now 40 or
50,000 men, I do not value such troops
myself--Stragglers will straggle again &
the conscripts are undisciplined
What do you think of our trip to "My Maryland".
We had rather a cold reception and I am
not one fourth of the army care one cent
what becomes of the whole state. We
were not whipped at Sharpsburg. I have
endeavoured to get an impartial & satisfac
tory estimate of our loss and it cannot be
more than 8000--Could we have had
2500 more men we might still have been
int he state. The artillery captured at
Harpers Ferry will tell in the next fight we
nave--In our Battalion we have a battery
of 4 12Pdr Napoleoons & 2 20Pdr Rifled[?]
[page 3]
The Yankees have never fought Such guns
before
I am very glad to hear that Newman
has recd an appointment. He was here when
when[sic] our army fell back from Maryland
& spent one night at my camp. I suppose
he has returned before now & has received
information of his appointment.
John Thomas did not reach his Reg
until the day after the fight at Sharpsburg
He has been camped very near me
all the time but have not seen him
but once. He was then in command
of the Reg. The hope is entertained that
Col Strange was only severely wounded
& still lives.
I have written all that I can make
legible--shall be pleased to hear from
you at Winchester which will be our office
until further orders
My regards to every member of your fam
ily & Aunt Margt if she has returned
to Col Munford & family & relatives
generally Truly yr friend & Relative
Jno. L. Eubank
[page 4]
I had to send my servant home
on account of sickness & told
to call upon you. Please send
the bundle to Lynchburg to my
daughter by express or otherwise
JLE
Captain John L. Eubank, 12th Battalion, Virginia Light Artillery
MSS 2516
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