1861 August 7 Camp Fairfax Station

My darling wife

Yesterday I went to the Junction
12 miles from here. I found it a very
dirty stinking place & learning that
Ned was encamped 3 miles down
the R R I left early & spent the
day at his camp. I enjoyed it
very much although I found their
regiment in rather a state of disor-
ganization--Remembering as I do
what a splendid regiment it was
and with how much spirit they
entered the contest, I could not help
feeling grieved to see them as they
are. I left them after 5 & got
to our camp just at nine at night
having met but little dificulty in
finding a strange road through a
long dark woods. At the Junction

[page 2]
I found my new uniform which is first
rate & beautiful & I turned out in it this
evening at dress parade which was in
strong contrast with our rag[g]ed regiment
The truth is 1/4 of our men are bare
footed half of them cannot hide their
nakedness but
for
are as rag[g]ed as
they can be. we are doing all
in our power to get shoes & clothes
for them & hope to succeed shortly.
Col Gibbons was taken to day with
a severe hemorage [sic] from the lungs
had two before dinner but is I
think a little better this evening--he
is in no imediate danger & will not
be if he takes proper care of himself
The command of the Regiment of course
falls on me & hence there is not
now the slightest possibility of a
furlough for me--I had still hoped
for it against all discouragement &
will now have to rely on a visit from
you & the children which I hope

[page 3]
will certainly take place at an early day
Tell Jim he shall sit on Papas lap and
little daughter too & shall sleep in Papas
tent right close up to Papa--and eat
out of a tin plate of Papas mess chest-
but they must not be in too great a hurry
nor too impatient about it because it
will be several days yet before the
bridges will be put up so that they
can come I look forward with great
pleasure to the visit & so much afraid
that we may be ordered off before the
bridges are done that I am sometimes
quite nervious[sic] I will get my pay
this week and will send you a
good pile of it So you may do as
you please--Tom Pennybaker has
been & still is quite sick with my
old complaint--he would soon be
from well if he would eat prudently-George
Chrisman has also been ill & still is
from same cause--among our men
we have a good deal of sickness, but

[page 4]
I hope nothing serious at present.
I am very much obliged to Mr Binot[?]
for his very good opinion of me and
I can assure him that I full re-
ciprocate it. I have taken a great
fancy to several of Neds men, but like
Mr B rather better than any. I hope
the prospect of paying me a visit
has had the effect of curing both
you & Jimmie, at any rate I hear
nothing further from you on the
subject--I am surprised that
any objection should be made to
your visit since the Mrs Johnson
paid their visit & came out so well
If they why not you. I will
attend to the pass question--If one
is necessary I think I can pro-
cure it, if not I will know all
about it--at present a pass from
any genl of Brigade passes you
anywhere. Kiss my babys & give
love to the girls & Florence

affectionately E.T.H. Warren

Line 1  "Junction" is Manassas Junction

Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry
Thomas Jefferson Pennybacker, Adjutant, 10th Virginia Infantry
George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry

[thanks to John P. Mann IV for the above identifications]

officer and later Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry.

MSS 7786-g

1861 August 7 Fairfax Station

My dear Ann

I have just time
to write you a very few lines--
Danny has just concluded to
go up home after his papers
& I am on the point of going to
the Court house on business, & am
in a great hurry. I was not here
when [Natus?]came yesterday. Did
[Gus?] get my letter that I sent by
Mr. Littell? You said nothing about
it. I got a letter from Osborn
asking for his harvest money--have
you settled with him? Of course
I know nothing about it & have left
all to you. I think he said there was
a difference of some $12.25 between us--

[page 2]
I expected Jim by Natus wagon. You
said nothing about sending him
I expect to be paid off, in a day or
two & will send the money to you as I
only want a little change occasionally.
I dont know how I am to get it up as
opportunities of sending money up home are
now beginning to be rare. I am glad
to hear of Betties improved health.
Keep an eye to her & send her to ride every
morning before breakfast. I would like
to see you all very much..For several
weeks past I have had a sort of a presentiment
that I will not be killed, in this war
but will be taken prisoner--the other
night I dreamed that I was rally[sic]
taken. I have made so many hair-
breadth escapes lately from being shot
that it may be I will not be shot, but
doing the service I am engaged in I

[page 3]
may be taken, well at any events
I would rather be taken than killed.
I could might stand some chance
of being exchanged, or released
on parole, but I could not think of taking
the oath. I send you some flowers
that I plucked from the spot where
Thurmonds battery was taken a fork
a box & some bullets pieces of shells a haversack
& an inferior Zouave cape, dirty & soiled
just as it was picked on the ground give it
to some of the niggers I also send a can
that I cut on the ground when I charged the
Zouaves take it & put it away for me, as it is the
only thing I have as a memento--tell Gus
he must write to his Papa & tell
me all about his mama & little
sisters--There is a rumer current here
that their will be a forward movement
of our army within a few days I am
not surprised to hear it, for we are

[page 4]
anxious to clear the yankees from
the soil of Virginia I feel very anxious
often of you all up there--I only wish
Gen. Johnston would move in this
direction& clear them out You must
keep up your spirits I think the
hardest fighting is over, & would
not be surprised if a compromise
was effected, as there is a great reaction
going on in the North I send a
white shirt home--The check shirt
you sent is very nice. I am sorry you
could not get me some corduroy stuff
for pants--I saw some nice that came
from Hills--We have a plenty to eat here
bread & meat, & sometimes I contrive
to get some cucumbers & other vegetables.
I am better situated, with Gen Elzey than
I was with Col. Stuart--Gen compliments
us very highly & says he wants us presently
attached to his command--Col Stuart
is losing ground with the captains of our
Regt. Capt. Patrick desires me to remember him
to you, he is a good fellow--Archie & Jack are
well as also Fountain--Willy has not made
his appearance as yet--much love to Mother

[left hand margin of page 4]
Tell George & [?] both I would like to stay with
you--God bless & protect you--Goodbye--ever your
husband WAM

[left hand margin of page 1]
Kiss my little darlings for
me & tell them I look for-
ward to the time when I
can come home to see them
very anxiously Tell Edd
to keep an eye
to the hogs & not
let them be stolen as
we have but few--
ever yours

William A. Morgan was a Colonel in the 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment.
MSS 1275

1861 August 6 camp at Memhpis

[from the diary of William Cox Holmes]

Got to Mempis about 8 o;clock after a pleasant trip on the
cars. Marched immediately for Camp Pillow which was about
1 1/5 miles distant.--found it a very pleasant place on the
Miss. river well supplied with couver &c.--Met with a
warm reception by the soldiers then present, was much pleased
with it. I felt much attached to them. Eat breakfast and
took a short rest after which we pitched our tents etc. We
formed into line & I was appointed Orderly Sergeant of the
company. Entered into the duties of the office & found it
exceedingly perplexing for the first day on account of
having to give out rations [illegible] very well. Did
not feel much home-sick but would occasionally see the con-
trast. I held up well under the circumstances and on the
whole was muched pleased with the excitement of camp-life. In
the evening I went down to Memphis where I found many new things
especially in the steam boat line. Got back home pretty early
& went to preparing for night, put out my guards for the
night under the Corporal. During the night I slept very
hard but soundly for I had not slept any the night before.
Camp sleeping did not suit me altogether but I was contented
with it. Though Orderly I had full permission to sleep
when I could get at it which was a consolation I learned
of my Corporals whom [illegible]

William Cox Holmes (1840-1924) was an alumnus of the University of Virginia. He began service in the 25th Mississippi Infantry, which was re-designated the 1st Mississippi Infantry in 1862. Later became a captain in the 1st Mississippi Sharpshooter Battalion. After the war he graduated from the New Orleans School of Medicine and practiced in Texas from 1867 until his death.

MSS 38-472

1861 August 6 Hopewell [Alabama]

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

We are all well at present & doing
well. We have had several good rains one since Lucy
wrote that prevents us from getting along with our fodder
as we wish. This morning it was so wet & cloudy we
had to go to grubbing, Cain grubbed a little while in
the Dufphey lot, the weather & he has gone to work at his
fodder again. Our crop of corn is very good I think from the
size of the ears the Dufphey lot especially. Our cotton is
looking well & it has begun to shed a few of its squares.
It is opening very fast. Champion is making baskets at the
New Hope they are all very well the crop is very fine they
say I have not seen it lately I shall go down there this
evening. I have not heard from Uncle R since he left, I
look for him this evening. Mr. Barden leaves for Va this evening.
he says he wants to see the army & his son Joe & his relations Mrs Barden
also. Ruffin Gray was in that Big Battle I heard that Genl
Philip Cocke was in it (Is that so?) William P. Webb has
been to Va.. he arrived in Greensboro last night. He
delivered a short address told us all about the Greensboro
company. I do not know whether I am right or not but I
feel like I want to go to fight for our country.
Cattle & Hogs, sheep & colts are looking very well. It is
nearly time for the old mare to wean her colt. She is looking
tolerable well. As times are bad & money is scarce I thought
we would save by writing together. Lucy has written you all
about the garden & house things. Yours respectfully
Smith Powell
If you could make it convenient we would
like to hear from you soon.

MSS 640

1861 August 5 Hopewell, Ala.

My Dear Master

I received your letter two weeks ago and was
very glad to hear from you, and as Mr. Benj Banden
expects to start to Virginia in a few days I
expects to send my letter by him.

We are all well at this time, and have
had but little sickness this summer. I have
heard of but very little sickness in the Neighborhood
I have nothing new to write about every thing
is going on as usual. the people are very
busy at this time pulling Fodder. they commenced
three days ago. we have had a long spell of
rainny weather, but for the last week it has
been quite fair. last night we had a good
shower. the garden is quite grassy this
rainny weather. we still have a plenty of
vegatables to eat. we have more Tomattoes than
we can destroy. Mrs Henry and Miss Mary came
here the other day, and got a half Bushell of them.
they desired to be remembered to you. Etter has
a very nice crop of onions they are all dried
and I think that they will keep. the peas
that you had planted in the garden has turned
out very well -- boath kind of them. we have
enough of Josephs corn for seed another year.

[page 2]
we are saveing Sunflower Seed and other different
kind of seed we have a very few Figs on the
Trees this year. the Mulbery cuttings that were planted
in the garden behind my Hen House is dead.
one of the young Pomegranate Trees in the garden
is full of fruit. We have Preaching at the
Church regularly three times a month we also
have family prayers regularly every morning
We have not heard from Mr Powell since h
went home from here the first of July, but
we expect him here this week. I will do what I can
at cloathing the people my young Turkeys are
growing very fast I have 10 that are as large as a
Hen, and 10 smaller size which are growing very fast
I often think of you--and fear Sometimes that we
shall never meet again, but should we fail to meet
again on earth I hope that we shall meet in
heaven where parting shall be no more.
remember me to master Charles and to Benthrer[?]
and to all of my relatives and believe me
as ever your servant
Lucy Skipwith

Genl John H Cocke

P.S. Uncle R told me to say to you that P.H. Skipwith said
that he could sell the goats from $20 to $25 a piece provided
male & female to-gether.

Genl J.H Cocke

Lucy Skipwith was a slave trusted to manage one of John Hartwell Cocke's Alabama plantations.

MSS 640

1861 August 5 Camp at Monterey

Dear Father
I received a letter from
you a few days ago, containing a check of the bank
of Va. at Lynchburg, for one hundred and thirty
dollars, and I am much obliged to you for sending
it to me. I had already written a letter to you
before receiving yours, giving you some account
of our battle at Rich Montain so far as I
had any certain knowledge of it, I saw a piece
in the newspaper from one, who said he was an
eye witness of the battle, in which it was stated that
the conduct of Col. Pegram was not only faulty as
a General but that he was wanting in personal
courage, or intimates as much. I have heard
officers who were present in the engagement
say, they never saw anyone cooler or braver,
and when under fire having fallen or jumped
from his horse his aid reported him dead to
Col. Scot, and gave up all hope of the battle
at his fall, I also received another letter from

[page 2]
you yesterday, in which you said there were
complaints of me in the county from my company,
as being harsh, and not attending properly to
the sick. In answer to the first charge, I would
say, that unless I had been strict in discipline
at all times when on duty, and exacted instant
obedience without question, I would not have
been able to have saved my company in the
retreat from Rich Mountain. I mentioned
in my last letter that no other captain could
move his company forward, when advancing
up the hill to attack the enemy, and none
other restrain them, when we commenced the
retreat, but I was obliged to hold my company
back and take the rear to prevent confusion,
this I could not have done if they had not
been accustomed to instant obedience, And
when, during our retreat from Rich Mount, we were in
two miles of Beverly, which was occupied by six thousand
of the enemy, and five thousand of them were
coming down upon or rear, they did not think
of a surrender, but obeyed instantly my order to
march across the fields, without even a path, toward
the mountain, with a guide totally unknown to us
and, who might have led us into the hands of the

[page 3]
enemy, but again when within thirty five miles
of Monterey and not more than forty five miles
from Staunton, my company wished to go to
Staunton thinking it probable that the enemy
might hold Monterey, I told them it was my
duty to go near enough to be certain of the fact.
They did not hesitate to folow me, Although
Capt. Jone's company, which was along with us,
said they would go to Staunton, no matter
what their captain said or did, When I heard of
this mutinous conduct I stood out in front of
his company and told them all, that if I was
their captain and any man of them dared to
move toward Staunton without my order I
would blow his head off with my pistol, after a
little Capt. Jones came up to me and said I
was wright and that he would follow my advice,
we heard no more of Staunton on the rest of our
march. Some of the most relyable men in the
company told me that although most of the company
were disatisfied with my strict discipline in
Richmond and some time after we left, they
were convinced that they were saved at
Rich Mountain by it, and were well satisfied.
There are a few no doubt, who hate work and are

[page 3]
who are still disatisfied. As to the other charge
I understand it well. When we arrived at Mounter
Monterey, the rest of the regiment petitioned to
be allowed to retire to Staunton or Richmond,
And I refused to enter into the petition, or go
back without positive orders from the general.
This did not please some cowardly men in the company.
At that time they were sending back the sick
to Staunton every day, and I immediately
found fourteen sick men who petitioned to be
allowed to go to Staunton. I examined them and
sent two who were sick to Staunton, and told the
others that as I could see nothing in the world
the matter with them, I believed it was fear of
the yankees, and they should not move a
step. It does not take many men to make a
great noise. I had a warning against too great
levity in disipline last week, in Capt. Shoemakers
company. He is a very mild man, and has
a very badly disciplined company. They sent in
a request to him to resign saying, they could no
longer endure his harsh treatment. He commands
the Danville artilery company. Tom has not been
very well since the last few days, but he is better this
morning and I hope will soon be well again. I have
been well since I left Richmond and I think I have
fattened up since my retreat from Rich Mountain.
General Lee is over in our division, but none knows
what are his plans, or where or when he is going to move.
None of Gen Garrett's command have been sent
forward, and we think, that distrusting us, reasonably, they
will not send us forward for some time.

Your affectionate son

Wm. B. Bruce

Captain, Co. K. 20th Virginia
MSS 2692

1861 August 4 Centerville, Va.

Dear Pa

You are somewhat surprised no doubt at not hearing
from me, as I have not written home for eight or ten days.
But it was not because I did not wish to, far from it. I
was prevented by sickness. I have been in bed very sick
for over a week living during that time almost exclusively
upon tea and toast made by Scott and Billy (Walter). I
am now beginning to get better though I am still very weak.
I hope soon though to recommense my regular duties. How
much I wish I could be with you all this evening though
such a thing as getting a furlough now is not to be talked
of except for those who are sick and they cannot get them
to go home but to the Hospital. Capt. Simpson told me he
could get me a furlough to go to the Hospital in F[ront].R[oyal]. but
he could not get it for over a day or two and I knew that
the fatigue going up and back for so short a time while I
was so sick would make me worse and therefore I did not ask
for one.

It would be such a pleasure to go through the
Vineyard Orchards and Corn Field. I hope the Vineyard is
doing well. It seems to me if I was home that would be
such a pretty business for me. Amos and myself sit down
and have some long talks about the Vineyards sometimes and
both of us wish that we were done soldiering. I read to
Amos what you said about his Vineyard. He filled up very
much and said he wished he could go and attend to them. I
feel very much for Amos for he loves those vines.

I don't suppose Mr. Smedley has been taken away
from you has he. I should be very sorry if he had. I
don't know how you would do without him. Give my respects
to him.

I heard that an order had been sent up the valley
for 600 wagons. I hope yours will not have to go.

Enclosed within this note which will be handed to
you by Mr. L. Bowen you will find $44.00 paid to me for my
services. Please take care of it for me but if you have
use for it use it. I wish I could send the boxes, basket
and my dirty clothes but I have no way of getting them to
the junction. They shall be sent by the first opportunity
which I hope will be soon.

Amos has just come in and requests me to ask you
about the cow. He is afraid you have forgotten to attend
to it. He says if he was there he could chat you for a
week.

A great many of the boys were very kind to me
while I was sick.

Sam Buck has just left, he is in the Thirteenth
Regiment.

I must close it fatigues me very much to write.
Write soon to me. Love to Ma and all the children. Write
soon and believe me to be ever

Your affec. Son

R[ichard] B[ayly] B[uck]

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, a sergeant (later lieutenant) in the Warren Rifles, 17th Va. Infantry.
MSS 3064