Saturday, November 3, 2012

1862 November 3 Camp near Culpeper C.H.

                                                          Camp near Culpeper C.H.
                                                                Monday, Nov. 3, 1862

My own dear Ella,
                                               My last was written seven miles
below Winchester, and dropped into the post-office as we hurried
through place. that night Dr. Thornhill and I spent at
a Mr. Parkins' with whom I was formerly acquainted.  I preached
occasionally at Macedonia, a mile distant, the year I travelled Lou-
doun circuit. Besides good meals and a comfortable rest, we
were entertained with patriotic and sentimental songs by his
grand-daughters, artless girls and full of [vanity?] [?] Hunton
and staff also stayed there--all friends.  The next day we
travelled this side of Front Royal, and I enjoyed as sound
and refreshing sleep on the ground, and ate with a keep appe-
tite my coarse rations.  I did not enter another house on the trip.
Thursday night we stopped at Gaines' Cross Roads, and Friday
night reached this place.  The weather was delicious, and
the scenery often magnificent, especially in Rappahannock the
last day.  Our first orders were to go to Richmond by the shortest
route; but the enemy no making, as had been apprehended, any
serious movement from Suffolk, we are detained here, how long
no one can tell.  Other divisions of Longstreet's corps followed us; but
a part of his forces and all of Jackson's go other routes.  Yesterday
was a lovely Sabbath.   I enjoyed the religious services, and the soldiers
around serious and attentive. Today is cold and windy; and
the darkness and dryness of my letter must be excused on account of

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the uncomfortable circumstances which surround me.  I expect to
go to Richmond next Monday, only one day being required for the
trip from our present camp, and therefore I hope to be at Spring
Grove Thursday, it there is still a daily stage.  It is a joy to me
to add a single day to the time during which I will be blessed with
your society, my darling.  I lie awake hours every night think-
ing of you and anticipating the happiness of our meeting, though
the theme has been thought on during hours of the day.  Am I
wrong in believing that your mind dwells also with pleasure
on the same subject? I hope to find a letter from you at bro.
Brown's next Monday evening.  When I last wrote, I feared that
I would not receive any more from you in camp, but now I
understand that our mail is sent to the Court House, and perhaps
there is a letter from you in the office there even now.  I must try
to start our mail-carrier then to-morrow.  I had the great pleas-
ure this morning of a visit from old Jno. Carson.  He looks well and
active and buoyant. He preached in the neighborhood yesterday.  The
Yankees did not inflect any great damage on him. Br. [Waggner?]
and I made an agreement to visit him to-morrow.  Miss Bettie
is at home.  Do you know her?  She is an interesting girl, and a
favorite with young preachers.  The mention of her name reminds
me of poor bro. Ware.  I am anxious to hear how he is.  I told
you that I did not allow any distracting care concerning your own
health, commending you to our Father: but I can't suppress an uneasy
thought occasionally that you may be visited with that fearful scourge-
the small-pox.  God have thee in his keeping, my own dearly loved girl

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Scarcely with effort can I get enough ink to finish my sheet,
and my letter paper being exhausted I am forced to cut into conven-
ient size some foolscap.  It is time, evidently, for me to be drop-
ping correspondence by mail a while, and substitute presence and
conversation.  But you will be disappointed if I do not write to you
now; and probably I will send you yet another before the close of
next week---the last, of my hopes are realized, of my love-letters
restricting the expression, as it generally is, to those which pass between
courting and betrothed couples.  But many, many love-letters I expect
to write you after our union; and then you will not arrest your
pen in the midst of a sentence which in the beginning promises to
be full of affection.  I can pledge you, darling Ella, constant, devoted,
considerate, tender love.  To show you that love always and to strive
with all my powers to make you happy, will be my business and delight
In your reciprocal affection I anticipate the richest joy and satisfaction
and with deep gratitude to Almighty God, the giver of all good
Already I have been comforted and cheered by the knowledge of your
love; and I confidently look forward to enhanced enjoyment in
all the days during which God shall spare us to each other.  Let us anew
consecrate ourselves, my beloved, to him, and supplicate his grace that
our marriage may be blessed to both, and [honored?] in the promotion
of his glory.
                   It is nearly 5 P.M., and dinner is almost ready.  I hear
the sound of the axes on our steak, beating it into tenderness.  Not having
eaten since early this morning, I am prepared to do justice to the subject.  Good-
by, darling.  Yours wholly and ever,
                                                            J.C. Granberry.

John Cowper Granberry, 1829-1907, formerly an itinerant preacher and chaplain at the University of Virginia and later a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church,  South and a trustee of Vanderbilt University.

MSS 4942
















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