Saturday, October 6, 2012

1862 October 7 Winchester, Va.

Tuesday morning
Winchester, Oct 7, 1862
Will I not persecute you, Ella darling, with my
much writing?  Or will you be spoiled, so as not
to be satisfied unless you are receiving letters almost
daily from me? I will run the risk of produ-
cing either effect, especially as you asked me to write
all the time.  I have not heard from you yet, but
that is not your fault, and I will soon enjoy the
reading and re-reading of a very sweet letter from
my beloved, will I not?  You must put away
all reserve, and let me know your whole heart
in all its feelings, especially those which have
any relation to me.         After writing to you
last Saturday, I went to the Synod, and
found them discussing with great interest the
subject of army chaplaincies.  Dr. Moses Hoge
made a beautiful and touching speech.   I was very
kindly and respectfully requested to participate in the
discussions, and made a few remarks. so that
morning passed pleasantly away.  About 2 P.M.
I started in a crowded stage for this place, spent
the night in Harrisonburg, and all Sabbath until
midnight was traveling. I did this as a matter
of necessity and duty, as I was compelled to travel
just when the army stage would take me. I have

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had rather a tedious stay here, waiting a chance to get
out to my regiment who are six or seven miles beyond.
I hope to be able to send my baggage out to-day,
and will go out myself whether I can do that or not.
It would pain you to see the number of sick and
wounded who are going in a constant stream from this
place.  Our troops, I am told, are in good spirits,
though destitute to a sad extent of shoes and clothing.
I doubt whether we will have another battle this fall.
Over 150 prisoners were brought here last evening.
They were captured by Imboden in Hampshire or
Hardy.  I don not think our army will remain
here long.  They will probably fall back near Richmond.
This will be more convenient both for subsistence and
for defence.  How sad our people in Northern Va.
will be again to fall into the hands of the Yankees.
And how earnestly we should pray God in his mercy
to end speedily these horrors of war.  alas! we are
slow to believe in the power of prayer, though encouraged
to faith by so many promises and so many instances
of its success.  I have seen no one from my own regi-
ment, but a number of friends from other regiments
Sleeping on the ground without a tent and hard fare
must now be my lot, but these hardships have never
injured my health, and I trust will not now.  You
know, my precious girl, how constantly I will think of
you, and how earnestly I will try long for your letters.
It is a source of great comfort to me to believe that


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your own heart will rejoice in my letters.  Be good
and sweet and loving, and God be with you, my be-
loved, my own dear Ella.
                           Very affectionately yours,
                                   J. C. Granberry.

John Cowper Granberry, chaplain of the 11th Virginia.

MSS 4942

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