1862 December 7 near Guinea Depot

Near Gunea Depot
     Sunday 7” Dec 1862
My own darling Jennie
       I have sent you two letters since camping
at this place but I am told that our mail
all lies at the depot.  So having an opportunity
to send a letter by hand I shall amuse myself
this morning before breakfast by just droping [sic]
you a line, and lines they will be for I have
no news to communicate.  Genl Taliaferro arrived
last night looking first rate and will this
morning assume command of this Division
and Big Billy Jones will retire from the place
he has disgraced and I am not sorry to think
I am to be commanded again by a gentleman.
 George will go this morning in search of Mr
Tyler and Julia  He says they dont live very
far from here.  If he can find them which of
course he will, I will try and pay them
a visit myself – I want to try Julias skill
in housekeeping and am inclined to think
I am just now in a condition to appreciate
good housekeeping.  My apetite [sic] is simply
enormous  I can eat anything in the world
and cant think of an eatable of any sort
which I dont think nice.  I think I am perfect-
ly restored.  my jaw is still running but the
lump is disappearing & there is less dis-
charge each day  I think it will soon
be entirely well.  I stand the camp first
rate much better than any one would have
supposed, but I tell you these cold nights
give me [?].  last night was a stinger

[page 2]
  I had to turn many ways & often to keep warm
and yet we had fire all night, but just so it
dont get sick, and so far I am doing finely.
hereafter George & I will bunk together and I intend
to keep him with me during the winter whether I
command the Brigade or the Regiment.  and by the way
you need not be surprised any day to hear that I
have been superseded in the command of the brigade
I know of no reason for it except that I have
in the army as I have at home, enimies [sic] who are
too cowardly to work against me except in
the dark and they are at it here.  The result will
be, if I am displaced in this command by any
manner which reflects on me, I will quit the
service at all hazards.  I am willing to serve my
Country at every sacrifice except that of my
good name & self respect – and have so served
it, but when it comes to a sacrifice of that
sort, I quit.  I dont ask promotion & dont desire
it now.  I simply wish to remain in command
as Colnl and if I survive the next fight &
do not deserve a promotion, I will simply
resign my Colncy & quit.  This is all I ask &
this is my right & I intend to insist on it.
  Bless my darling wife & children, what would
I not give to have them with me & be with
them this bright cold Sunday morning.  I do
want a kiss very much indeed from the
entire party.  Write to me darling.  I have
not heard from you since I left Woodstock
and do want a letter so bad.
Most affectionately yours
   ETHWarren




“Near Gunea Depot”, heading – This is a misspelling of Guinea Depot.  The station, also shown on some maps as Guiney’s, was located some 12 miles south-east of Fredericksburg on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad.
    This is the location where Thomas J. ‘Stonewall’ Jackson died after being wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863.

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

“Genl Taliaferro”, line 7 – William B. Taliaferro, Confederate general, commanded the division in which the 10th VA Infantry served.  He had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Brawner Farm, 28 August 1862.

“Big Billy Jones”, line 10 – John R. Jones, Confederate general, temporarily in command of Taliaferro’s Division.  Jones had assumed command of the division prior to the Battle of Sharpsburg due to losses in command personnel.  Jones’ actions at the battle brought doubt as to his ability to command and many officers deemed him cowardly.  The charges of cowardice were again raised due to his actions at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

“George”, line 13; page 2, line 4 – Jennie’s brother George S. Magruder, Private, Company C, 13th VA Infantry.  Temporarily assigned to the 10th VA Infantry as Colonel Warren’s orderly.

“the Brigade”, page 2, lines 6 & 8 – The 3rd Brigade, Taliaferro’s Division, consisted of the 47th & 48th Alabama Infantry regiments, and the 10th, 23rd, & 37th VA Infantry regiments.  Warren continued his temporary command in the absence of Colonel John James Alexander G. Taliaferro.  He had been seriously wounded at the Battle of Brawner Farm, 28 August 1862, and was still absent from brigade command.

“the Regiment”, page 2, line 6 – 10th VA Infantry.

“Colnl”, page 2, line 21 – colonel.

“Colncy”, page 2, line 23 – colonelcy.

“children”, page 2, line 25 – Warren had three children at the time – seven year old Lizzie, six year old James M., and nine month old Virginia ‘Jennie’ Watson.

“ETHWarren”, page 2, signature – Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.

[transcript by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g