Wednesday, November 14, 2012

1862 November 14 Camp Cooper near Winchester, Va.



Camp Cooper Nov 14” 1862
  Near Winchester Friday Night
My own darling
    I received your short letter to day, in which I
am sorry you have to say that you are sick & the
children very fretful from Vaccination.  I am however
hopeful that before this reaches you, you will all be
perfectly well and hearty.  I was not very much cheered up
by your letter yet was very glad to get because I ought
to hear of your sorrow & misfortunes as well as of your
joys.  Liskeys impertinence in bringing his stock to our
well to water is perfectly insufferable and if I could
get to him would cowhide him for it.  You did per-
fectly right to lock the pump & I hope you will
keep it locked from the whole concern.  I am de-
termined that that piece of impertinence shall stop
the whole of them from using water then.  Let them
all understand distinctly that they you intend to be
mistress & manager of your own affairs.  I am
glad you have killed the hogs, but you did not
tell me how much they weighed  I suppose about
150 each  I did not think they would over go that
How much lard did they make.  You must not fer-
get [sic] that I take a deep interest in all these little things
just as much & maybe more than if I was with
you.  I even want to know how much milk the cows
give, whether it is rich ritch or not.  How the pigs are
doing and whether your hens lay any eggs and in
fact all about every little thing on th in and about
Elzia.  Of course I expect every letter to give an
account of all the smart sayings & doings of the chil-
dren and a occasionally a word or so about Stephen
& Fanny.  I am just at the moment receiving the compli
ment of a serinade [sic].  Something I care very little about &

[page 2]
would prefer that all hands were at home asleep.
I am not at all surprised at your disponding [sic] views as
to a settlement of our dificulties [sic].  The failure of Europe
to speak at this moment leaves us no hope but in our
own efforts under Gods protection  The complete success
of the Democrats in the recent elections is an indica-
tion of a revolution there, but the precise course it will
take remains to be seen.  The difference between our sit-
uation now and six months agos ago – is this - then
we could hope for peace only through foreign intervene-
tion no matter how great our success.  Now it is clear
to my mind that if we are as successful during the
next eight months as we have been during the past
six months, the north herself will be compelled to
recognize us, and it seems to me that we are stronger
to day than we ever were before.  We can therefore re-
ly on ourselves and can look to the future with brig-
hter hopes than ever before.  But oh! How I do wish
those eight months were past and we all at home
realizing all our fondest but often disappointed hopes
of peace.  How busy & happy I would be in laying
off and planting a garden, making fences, planting shade
and fruit trees.  I would help Lizzie & Jimmy and
little Jennie Watson too, to feed the chickens and hunt
eggs & help my old darling make bread & butter.  I would
feed the cows & pigs & look after the sheep & little lambs
and you would be with me all the time except when
I would be in my office & sometimes I doubt not
you would be there to too.  Such are the scenes which
I sometimes picture in my imagination, but then alass [sic]
the uncertainty of the future is such that the beauties
of my fanciful pictures of the future are all distroyed [sic]
by the stern realities of the present.  But for the present
I must bid you good night.

[page 3]
Saturday Morning.  without having anything to say beyond the
fact that it is a bright pretty morning and everything perfectly
quiet in camp Cooper.  I understand that DH Hills Division
is in camp near Strasburg & that between there & Front
Royall they are distroying [sic] entirely the R Road.  I have
not heard of any distruction [sic] beyond Strasburg as yet, but
I doubt not the Road will be distroyed [sic] as far as the Narrow
passage bridge.  but that dont mean that we intend to leave
the Valley or that the Yankeys are going to get to you.
Dont you be uneasy about any such idea.  I suppose
that during this pretty weather the wheat is growing finaly [sic]
and now almost covers the ground.  How are the calves doing
I dreamed last night of seeing Fanny milk an enormous quan-
tity of milk from the cows  so you see you are not out of
my mind day or night.
  I have just finished my mornings work.  when I took
command of the brigade I issued an order that nothing would
be done before eight nor after 10 oclock just allowing two
hours in which I am to be bothered at the instance of other
people.  the remainder of the morning I attend to such
matters as my judgement [sic] & inclination suggests ought
to be attended to.  so that after 10, I have a quiet time
& do pretty much as I please.  Now for a little schol-
ding for you.  I dont believe you read my letters over
more than once, for I ask a great many questions which
you never reply to.  You dont imagine how much I am
interested in all the details of home & your doings.  What
sort of flour did you get from the mill – good, bad or
indifferent.  As you empty the barrels put them carefully
away each one is worth a dollar.  Let me know if
you will want any more cloth for either Billy or Stephen
this winter – if much needed I can get double width
cloth here at $6 per yard.

[page 4]
after dinner
I have so little to say that I am really surprised that
I am able to fill a letter.  the latest camp news in-
forms me that Genl McCleland has not only been relieved
of his command but is under arrest on the charge of treason
I dont believe it & it is therefore useless to comment on
it.  Another rumor attempts to revive the old story
of recognition, but I have been too often fooled on this
cry to pay any attention to it.  I think that you had
better send Stephen out to buy fencing plank just as
soon as he has his corn secured.  if he cant buy any
now I know he can engage some to be sawed this winter
it will be a great missfortune [sic] if you cant fence in
your garden in the spring.  I had rather loose [sic] $50 than
fail to have it done.  But as I dont intend to send this
until day after tomorrow I must leave room to say a word
in the morning
Sunday Morning.  My inclination of purpose to take
tea at Col Bakers was not fulfilled until yesterday
evening.  I had a very pleasant time saw Mars Baker &
daughters & Dr Campbells sister found them all very
pleasant ladies and the whole establishment one of
those fine old Virginia concerns often met with
in this locality.  The old lady persisted in calling
me General which of course I had to explain I
was not entitled to although I had a Genls com-
mand.  It is astonishing what a difference rank
makes no matter what community you go in.
Our people are absurdly foolish about it.
  This morning is cloudy & very raw with strong
indications of a snow storm.  I think winter
is approaching most certainly and with a severe
aspect.  We will yet I am afraid have a hard time
of it.  How do you stand the cold weather  can you all
keep warm & comfortable –

[The following was written in the left margin of page 1.]
I have just recd the enclosed note.  I send
it to you as a curiosity.  of course I intend to make
the lady happy & myself also by taking tea



“My own darling”, salutation – Warren’s wife, Virginia Watson Magruder Warren.

“the children”, lines 28-29 –

“Lizzie & Jimmy and little Jennie Watson”, page 2, lines 23-24 – Lizzie, his seven year old daughter, Jimmy, his six year old son James M., and Jennie Watson, his almost nine month old daughter Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson.

“D H Hill”, page 3, line 3 – Daniel H. Hill, Confederate general, commanded a division under the command of Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson.

“the R Road.”, page 3, line 5 – The Manassas Gap Railroad ran between Strasburg and Front Royal.

“the Valley”, page 3, line 9 – The Shenandoah Valley.

“the brigade”, page 3, line 17 – Taliaferro’s Brigade, of which Warren had temporary command, consisted of the 47th and 48th Alabama Infantry, and the 10th, 23rd, and 37th VA Infantry regiments.

“Genl McCleland”, page 4, line 3 – George B. McClellan, Union general, commanded the Army of the Potomac until 5 November when Lincoln removed him from command.

“Dr Campbell”, page 4, line 20 – Joseph L. Campbell, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.

“I had a Genls command.”, page 4, lines 25-26 – Warren had temporary command of Taliaferro’s Brigade.  Brigades in the Confederate army were supposed to be commanded by brigadier-generals.

Though no signature exists on the letter, it was written by Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.

[transcript and annotations by John P. Mann,  IV]

MSS 7786-g

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