[from the diary of Francis G. Hale of the 34th Ohio Zouaves]
it commenced
to rain to day and
rained most all day
the pay master has
come and we are to
be payed of to day
or to morrow we
had regimental in
spection to day I
felt to tiard to go
out so I stayed
in quarters I expe
ct I will have
to go on guard
for it tomorrow
the boys seeme very
well pleased to see
the pay master and
think they will
have good times now.
MSS 13405
Friday, December 23, 2011
1861 December 22 Camp Federal Hill Baltimore
My dear Father your letter of the 14th inst is receivd your
letters are always welcome your letters are always welcomed[sic], you
need not be afraid to long letters I am always glad when the
mail brings A letter from you, you wish to know if they had
paid all that is due, no but we shall get it by and buy it will
be allowed us when we settle for our clothing which is I believe
once A year then each man in the regiment is allowed so
much. A year for clothing & rations & at the end of the year there
is A settlement when everything that is due is paid over or credited
to the next years account in regard to the complaint you mention
from the Boston correspondents as far as our Regt is concerned we
have plenty of clothing and we are allowed as much wood to burn
as we wish to be sure our tents are not so warm as in the Summer
but we manage to get along verry well we will not have to stop in
tents more than one week longer as our Winter Quarters are nearly
finished the boards in our tents of course are not so soft as in the
Summer but in fact as the cold wether comes on the boards grow
hard & turn them as often as we will they will not grow soft there
are A great many that will grumble no mater how well of they are
Company F did not try to get clear of going on the Expedition but
they on the contrary were affraid they would be left out you will
please excuse the shortness of this letter as this is the sixth letter
that I have written to day since dinner & the light will have to be
put out in A few moments the next time I will try to make up for
the shortness of this one remember me to all from you Son Geo W. Leavitt
[note from John Leavitt made as he was copying the above letter]
the following was enclosed in the above but dont seem to belong to
it but I will record it as I find it, this day August 22d 1865 John Leavitt
One is played out we have been contenting ourselves that the rebels had
no arms, no clothing, no food but such things I have never beleivd
for A moment I believe they have A plenty of everything & as for starving
them out it is foolish to think of, as I said before it has A bad influence
in the Army their letting known traitors to at large remember me
to all I intended to have written to Edward this evening but as my
candle has nearly burnt out I shall not have time but will write
soon hopeing that I soon shall have the pleasure of meeting you
all again I am your Son
George
Letters from George Leavitt and his brother Joseph Leavitt were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: "because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid." Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.
MSS 66
letters are always welcome your letters are always welcomed[sic], you
need not be afraid to long letters I am always glad when the
mail brings A letter from you, you wish to know if they had
paid all that is due, no but we shall get it by and buy it will
be allowed us when we settle for our clothing which is I believe
once A year then each man in the regiment is allowed so
much. A year for clothing & rations & at the end of the year there
is A settlement when everything that is due is paid over or credited
to the next years account in regard to the complaint you mention
from the Boston correspondents as far as our Regt is concerned we
have plenty of clothing and we are allowed as much wood to burn
as we wish to be sure our tents are not so warm as in the Summer
but we manage to get along verry well we will not have to stop in
tents more than one week longer as our Winter Quarters are nearly
finished the boards in our tents of course are not so soft as in the
Summer but in fact as the cold wether comes on the boards grow
hard & turn them as often as we will they will not grow soft there
are A great many that will grumble no mater how well of they are
Company F did not try to get clear of going on the Expedition but
they on the contrary were affraid they would be left out you will
please excuse the shortness of this letter as this is the sixth letter
that I have written to day since dinner & the light will have to be
put out in A few moments the next time I will try to make up for
the shortness of this one remember me to all from you Son Geo W. Leavitt
[note from John Leavitt made as he was copying the above letter]
the following was enclosed in the above but dont seem to belong to
it but I will record it as I find it, this day August 22d 1865 John Leavitt
One is played out we have been contenting ourselves that the rebels had
no arms, no clothing, no food but such things I have never beleivd
for A moment I believe they have A plenty of everything & as for starving
them out it is foolish to think of, as I said before it has A bad influence
in the Army their letting known traitors to at large remember me
to all I intended to have written to Edward this evening but as my
candle has nearly burnt out I shall not have time but will write
soon hopeing that I soon shall have the pleasure of meeting you
all again I am your Son
George
Letters from George Leavitt and his brother Joseph Leavitt were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: "because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid." Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.
MSS 66
1861 December 22 Camp Federal Hill, Baltimore
Brother William As I have not written to you since the great
Expedition to Accomac, I will now try & write you A few lines I
suppose you have heard the particulars of this great expedition about
the Batteries that were taken the marching of six thousand Soldiers
through the Counties of Worcester, Accomac, & North Hampton
yes from New Town Maryland to Eastville Va & back to Pongotague
after Rebels but Nary rebel was to be found, it was what we called
A wild goose chase one Regt could have done as well as six if Accomac
& North Hampton counties are A fair sample of Virginia all I have to say is
they are fifty ears behind the times the meanest looking Village in the North
cannot compare with the Villages we passed through on our March from
Newtown to Eastville as I wrote in my letter to Father the People look as though
we had noked them out of A fifty years sleep the Houses were mostly
built in the year One I should judge. at Easterville we were encamped
one week & while here we lived on Chickens, Turkeys sweet potatoes and
corn bread for A pair of chickens they would charge twelve cents all
the money they had in Eastville were shin plasters & twelve cents were
worth haveing we had the genuine Nigger every evening in Camp we
would make A ring & get two or more inside & they would sing and
dance & such singing & dancing you never saw at any Nigger Concert
every where we went the Darkies would Crowd into the Camp and
to Join the Regiment, we got A great deal of information from the darkies
I asked on fellow why the Rebels stand he said that Col Smith
(that is the name of the person that had command of the Rebels)
said he was going to cut the Yankees up into mince meat, but
when he heard them fellows with the red Breeches were coming
he said it was getting to hot could not stay any longer, we had
some Tough marches but got through with it without any being
sick my health is verry good in fact I have not been on the sick
list since Joining the regiment, I wish you would send me A
few Postage stamps some letters I write I do not like to frank A
few stamps would come handy I have not received but one paper
from you since the twelveth of Nov please send me the back numbers
of the transcript hopeing to meet you again in A few months I&
I remain your Brother
Geroge W. Leavitt
Expedition to Accomac, I will now try & write you A few lines I
suppose you have heard the particulars of this great expedition about
the Batteries that were taken the marching of six thousand Soldiers
through the Counties of Worcester, Accomac, & North Hampton
yes from New Town Maryland to Eastville Va & back to Pongotague
after Rebels but Nary rebel was to be found, it was what we called
A wild goose chase one Regt could have done as well as six if Accomac
& North Hampton counties are A fair sample of Virginia all I have to say is
they are fifty ears behind the times the meanest looking Village in the North
cannot compare with the Villages we passed through on our March from
Newtown to Eastville as I wrote in my letter to Father the People look as though
we had noked them out of A fifty years sleep the Houses were mostly
built in the year One I should judge. at Easterville we were encamped
one week & while here we lived on Chickens, Turkeys sweet potatoes and
corn bread for A pair of chickens they would charge twelve cents all
the money they had in Eastville were shin plasters & twelve cents were
worth haveing we had the genuine Nigger every evening in Camp we
would make A ring & get two or more inside & they would sing and
dance & such singing & dancing you never saw at any Nigger Concert
every where we went the Darkies would Crowd into the Camp and
to Join the Regiment, we got A great deal of information from the darkies
I asked on fellow why the Rebels stand he said that Col Smith
(that is the name of the person that had command of the Rebels)
said he was going to cut the Yankees up into mince meat, but
when he heard them fellows with the red Breeches were coming
he said it was getting to hot could not stay any longer, we had
some Tough marches but got through with it without any being
sick my health is verry good in fact I have not been on the sick
list since Joining the regiment, I wish you would send me A
few Postage stamps some letters I write I do not like to frank A
few stamps would come handy I have not received but one paper
from you since the twelveth of Nov please send me the back numbers
of the transcript hopeing to meet you again in A few months I&
I remain your Brother
Geroge W. Leavitt
Thursday, December 22, 2011
1861 December 22
[letter of Edwin R. Page continues]
Sunday evening I went to church this morning
my darling, and heard a right good sermon from
Mr Williams, it is the first time I have heard
him preach, last Sunday I was out on piquet
duty and did not get back to town until after
church. I went this morning with Lizzie Lee,
passed by Mrs Lee on my way to church just as
they were getting ready and went with her and
the old lady, I have done but very little
visiting since I have been here, indeed I
have been so constantly on duty that I have
not had an opportunity, I was invited to a great party
[page 3]
at one of the Hotels in Leesburg one night last
week but did not go. I was tired and did not
care about it any way, the truth is I
never feel like visiting any body, I can
take no pleasure in any society whilst I
am away from you and my children, there
are a great many ladies in Leesburg, but
I have not visited these more than about
twice, I believe, since I returned, I had just
as soon, and indeed rather be at my post,
for I feel then that I am doing my duty,
Would you like to see me at home on Xmas
day my darling? When did I ever spend my
xmas away from my wife before, but I shall
have to do it this year, I can make no cal-
culations about coming home yet, I have
spent so much of my time at home, and
there is not wanting at least one to make
a fuss and complain about it, although
constantly absent from camp and shirking
all the duties, whilst I am doing the
work, but still I think it is my duty to
stay here as long as my services are needed,
it comes very heavy upon us now, we have
a piquet line of about sixty miles to defend,
and only four companies of cavalry, with
not more than 120 men for duty, to do it,
and these are scarce of commissioned officers
which makes it harder upon those that are
here, Col Munford left here last Thursday
for home on a leave of absence for 10 days,
he promised me to go and see you if he
could possibly do so, but his time is so lim=
ited, I fear he will not be able to do it.
[page 4]
I suppose Sam will give you a plenty of news, but
he generally draws pretty largely on his imagination
for his facts. I was somewhat amused at your ap-
prehensions in reference to him and the Lynchburg
man you spoke of, I could have told you before hand
how it would have terminated, he is a very well
disposed boy however, and that covers a good many
of his faults. I believe it is a safe rule not to believe
any reports from this part of the country unless
authenticated by some reliable person, the tale
about Genl Evans being angry with Jno. Alexander
and myself about going over the River under a flag
of truce is without any truth, in the first place
John was not with our party and has never been
over the River at all, and then the Genl. was not
angry about it as all, he scolded me a little about
it but it was done in a jocular and good humored
way, he scarcely thought it was rash and incon=
siderate, -- I had an invitation today from Dr.
Clagett to dine with the Genl at his house on
Xmas day, I promised to go it I was not out on
duty, but I do not expect to enjoy it, it will
be a sad and unpleasant day to me my darling,
for I shall be thinking about you and home
all day. it will be the first Xmas that I have
spent from you since the blessed day we were
married, it is a hard fate, but it is what we all
have to endure. Tom Randoplph one of the
Lieuts in the Albemarle company here with
us has a daughter more than six months
old that he has never seen, my darling I
am very sorry to hear about your complain=
ing so, don't you know I asked you to prom=
ise me not to expose yourself, and especially not
[page 5]
to get your feet wet, I want you to remember this
and bear it in mind, I don't ask you to do this
on your own account, but I ask it for my
sake, for just imagine my own darling what
would become of me if anything were to hap=
pen to you, and our little children too, God know
it is hard enough for me to bear this separation
which I trust is only temporary, but if I were
deprived of the hope of meeting you and being
in sweet communion with you again I
should never wish to see the light of heaven
any more but there are those my beloved wife
dear to us both and doubly dear to me because
borne to me by the wife of my bosom and the
darling of my heart, whose welfare and future
destiny should be a paramount consideration
and I think it is a very important duty for us
both to take care of ourselves on their ac=
count as well as for the sake of each other
don't you think so my darling. I wish
you would reflect upon this and act ac=
cordingly, I am sorry to hear that your ser=
vants are behaving so badly, I wish I could
get home for a short time so that I could
have a opportunity of bringing them to
their senses. I promise you when I get
back you will not have cause to com=
plain of them long, it never was my
intention for Tony & Lankford to keep the
hogs that they raised, I intended t follow
your mother's plan, which I think was a
wise one, and pay them for raising the hogs, and
than put them in the smoke house. I desire
that they shall not be permitted to raise anymore
[page 6]
I don't object to some of the negroes about the
house raising a hog or two, but they must
go into the smoke house, this is my law
and it must be obeyed. I intend always to judge
what is best for my negroes or any that may be
under my control, I know that I can judge
better for them than they can for themselves,
but I hope you will be able to get along with
them until I come home, i don't think they
will trouble you after that, I see and know
every day the importance ofmaking those
under authority obey, Joe is very anxious to
go home about xmas, and I have been thinking
of sending him. I don't know when he will
go, but it may be tomorrow or the next day,
my darling I can see no prospect at this time
of getting home. I would greatly prefer going
if I could get off, to your coming here, but if
I shall not be able to go,you must come to me
here, that is after things get quiethere I wd
be afraid for you to come just now, but I
think the campaign will be closed in a few
days now, we have had some very nice weather
lately, but now it is raining and sleeting pretty
hard, and winter must be close at hand, several
of our Leesburg friends enquired to day when
you were coming. I have $100 I wish to send
you if I can contrive it to you safely. I was
very near buying a mare for you a day or two
ago, and if I had I should have sent her home
by Joe, I may get her yet, though it is doubtful.
Kiss my little children for me. What a joy it would be
to me, if I could sit down at home among you all
to night, good night my own wife, remember me kindly
to Tom Cobbs and his wife, Your devoted husband E.R.P.
[across top margin of page 6]
I hope to
see you
sometime
next month
either here
or at home.
Edmund
Early talked
of coming
over again
as soon as
we were
permanently
fixed for the
winter, &
promised
to bring you
with him
if you wish
to come, if
he should not
come you
will no
doubt find
some other
opportunity,
but I don't
wish you
to come unless
you are well
protected.
good night
god bless you
my darling
this is the
constant prayer
of your husband
E.R.P.
Edwin R. Page, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Virginia
Cavalry
MSS 8937
Sunday evening I went to church this morning
my darling, and heard a right good sermon from
Mr Williams, it is the first time I have heard
him preach, last Sunday I was out on piquet
duty and did not get back to town until after
church. I went this morning with Lizzie Lee,
passed by Mrs Lee on my way to church just as
they were getting ready and went with her and
the old lady, I have done but very little
visiting since I have been here, indeed I
have been so constantly on duty that I have
not had an opportunity, I was invited to a great party
[page 3]
at one of the Hotels in Leesburg one night last
week but did not go. I was tired and did not
care about it any way, the truth is I
never feel like visiting any body, I can
take no pleasure in any society whilst I
am away from you and my children, there
are a great many ladies in Leesburg, but
I have not visited these more than about
twice, I believe, since I returned, I had just
as soon, and indeed rather be at my post,
for I feel then that I am doing my duty,
Would you like to see me at home on Xmas
day my darling? When did I ever spend my
xmas away from my wife before, but I shall
have to do it this year, I can make no cal-
culations about coming home yet, I have
spent so much of my time at home, and
there is not wanting at least one to make
a fuss and complain about it, although
constantly absent from camp and shirking
all the duties, whilst I am doing the
work, but still I think it is my duty to
stay here as long as my services are needed,
it comes very heavy upon us now, we have
a piquet line of about sixty miles to defend,
and only four companies of cavalry, with
not more than 120 men for duty, to do it,
and these are scarce of commissioned officers
which makes it harder upon those that are
here, Col Munford left here last Thursday
for home on a leave of absence for 10 days,
he promised me to go and see you if he
could possibly do so, but his time is so lim=
ited, I fear he will not be able to do it.
[page 4]
I suppose Sam will give you a plenty of news, but
he generally draws pretty largely on his imagination
for his facts. I was somewhat amused at your ap-
prehensions in reference to him and the Lynchburg
man you spoke of, I could have told you before hand
how it would have terminated, he is a very well
disposed boy however, and that covers a good many
of his faults. I believe it is a safe rule not to believe
any reports from this part of the country unless
authenticated by some reliable person, the tale
about Genl Evans being angry with Jno. Alexander
and myself about going over the River under a flag
of truce is without any truth, in the first place
John was not with our party and has never been
over the River at all, and then the Genl. was not
angry about it as all, he scolded me a little about
it but it was done in a jocular and good humored
way, he scarcely thought it was rash and incon=
siderate, -- I had an invitation today from Dr.
Clagett to dine with the Genl at his house on
Xmas day, I promised to go it I was not out on
duty, but I do not expect to enjoy it, it will
be a sad and unpleasant day to me my darling,
for I shall be thinking about you and home
all day. it will be the first Xmas that I have
spent from you since the blessed day we were
married, it is a hard fate, but it is what we all
have to endure. Tom Randoplph one of the
Lieuts in the Albemarle company here with
us has a daughter more than six months
old that he has never seen, my darling I
am very sorry to hear about your complain=
ing so, don't you know I asked you to prom=
ise me not to expose yourself, and especially not
[page 5]
to get your feet wet, I want you to remember this
and bear it in mind, I don't ask you to do this
on your own account, but I ask it for my
sake, for just imagine my own darling what
would become of me if anything were to hap=
pen to you, and our little children too, God know
it is hard enough for me to bear this separation
which I trust is only temporary, but if I were
deprived of the hope of meeting you and being
in sweet communion with you again I
should never wish to see the light of heaven
any more but there are those my beloved wife
dear to us both and doubly dear to me because
borne to me by the wife of my bosom and the
darling of my heart, whose welfare and future
destiny should be a paramount consideration
and I think it is a very important duty for us
both to take care of ourselves on their ac=
count as well as for the sake of each other
don't you think so my darling. I wish
you would reflect upon this and act ac=
cordingly, I am sorry to hear that your ser=
vants are behaving so badly, I wish I could
get home for a short time so that I could
have a opportunity of bringing them to
their senses. I promise you when I get
back you will not have cause to com=
plain of them long, it never was my
intention for Tony & Lankford to keep the
hogs that they raised, I intended t follow
your mother's plan, which I think was a
wise one, and pay them for raising the hogs, and
than put them in the smoke house. I desire
that they shall not be permitted to raise anymore
[page 6]
I don't object to some of the negroes about the
house raising a hog or two, but they must
go into the smoke house, this is my law
and it must be obeyed. I intend always to judge
what is best for my negroes or any that may be
under my control, I know that I can judge
better for them than they can for themselves,
but I hope you will be able to get along with
them until I come home, i don't think they
will trouble you after that, I see and know
every day the importance ofmaking those
under authority obey, Joe is very anxious to
go home about xmas, and I have been thinking
of sending him. I don't know when he will
go, but it may be tomorrow or the next day,
my darling I can see no prospect at this time
of getting home. I would greatly prefer going
if I could get off, to your coming here, but if
I shall not be able to go,you must come to me
here, that is after things get quiet
be afraid for you to come just now, but I
think the campaign will be closed in a few
days now, we have had some very nice weather
lately, but now it is raining and sleeting pretty
hard, and winter must be close at hand, several
of our Leesburg friends enquired to day when
you were coming. I have $100 I wish to send
you if I can contrive it to you safely. I was
very near buying a mare for you a day or two
ago, and if I had I should have sent her home
by Joe, I may get her yet, though it is doubtful.
Kiss my little children for me. What a joy it would be
to me, if I could sit down at home among you all
to night, good night my own wife, remember me kindly
to Tom Cobbs and his wife, Your devoted husband E.R.P.
[across top margin of page 6]
I hope to
see you
sometime
next month
either here
or at home.
Edmund
Early talked
of coming
over again
as soon as
we were
permanently
fixed for the
winter, &
promised
to bring you
with him
if you wish
to come, if
he should not
come you
will no
doubt find
some other
opportunity,
but I don't
wish you
to come unless
you are well
protected.
good night
god bless you
my darling
this is the
constant prayer
of your husband
E.R.P.
Edwin R. Page, 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Virginia
Cavalry
MSS 8937
1861 December 22 Fort Grafton
My darling wife
an opportunity occurs
of sending you a letter two or three
days earlier than by mail and I
avail myself of it--I write in
Henry Edmunds' tent--his regiment
is very near our fort, gut this is
the first time that I have been
down to see him--Paul is here
having returned to his company
the same day that I did
I hardly know what to do with
regard to applying for a place
to Chas Carrington or through
Mr Hughes--I would dislike to
put them to any inconvenience for
for nothing--it was for t his reason
that I refused Major Eades' offer
I think it would be rather better
to concentrate our efforts upon
obtaining the professorship and
if we fail in that then we
may trouble our aforesaid friends
I sent you by Mr Slaughter
Ficklin a very complimentary letter
from Major Goode--I hope you got
[page 2]
it. Let me know if you did
not as also the letter of Capt
Southall--if you didn't get them
I must get them to give me
others--We must be very careful
to see that all the letters I
obtain reach Dr Smith--I would
rather have the professorship
than any other place, for the
obvious reason that I would be
more with you. Let me know
what you have done with regard
to writing to the tutors of the Va
Military Institute--Be sure to
wrote to them as soon as you
find out their address-- their
names are Hardin, Ross & Morgan
We are now in Winter Quarters
quite comfortably fixed--but I
want very much to be with
you--I received your two
letters written on the 18th--Did
you receive mine written on
the same day? The mails from
here are very slow. it takes
5 or 6 days for a letter to reach
you after it has been written
[page 3]
Write soon and write often
I wait in a good deal of
anxiety for the 15th of Jan. to
decide my fate--leave nothing
undone. Don't forget to obtain
a recommendation for a dis-
charge signed by all the
trustees, if I am elected
get Mr Holcombe or some
influential man to present
it to the secretary and if it
is granted, telegraph immediate-
ly and send the discharge
by mail. I write under some
difficulty and in great haste
Excuse me and believe me
as ever with much love
Your devoted Husband
Love to all
[unsigned letter written by Howe Peyton Cochran, Sergeant, Co. H, 1st Virginia Artillery
]
MSS 9380
an opportunity occurs
of sending you a letter two or three
days earlier than by mail and I
avail myself of it--I write in
Henry Edmunds' tent--his regiment
is very near our fort, gut this is
the first time that I have been
down to see him--Paul is here
having returned to his company
the same day that I did
I hardly know what to do with
regard to applying for a place
to Chas Carrington or through
Mr Hughes--I would dislike to
put them to any inconvenience for
for nothing--it was for t his reason
that I refused Major Eades' offer
I think it would be rather better
to concentrate our efforts upon
obtaining the professorship and
if we fail in that then we
may trouble our aforesaid friends
I sent you by Mr Slaughter
Ficklin a very complimentary letter
from Major Goode--I hope you got
[page 2]
it. Let me know if you did
not as also the letter of Capt
Southall--if you didn't get them
I must get them to give me
others--We must be very careful
to see that all the letters I
obtain reach Dr Smith--I would
rather have the professorship
than any other place, for the
obvious reason that I would be
more with you. Let me know
what you have done with regard
to writing to the tutors of the Va
Military Institute--Be sure to
wrote to them as soon as you
find out their address-- their
names are Hardin, Ross & Morgan
We are now in Winter Quarters
quite comfortably fixed--but I
want very much to be with
you--I received your two
letters written on the 18th--Did
you receive mine written on
the same day? The mails from
here are very slow. it takes
5 or 6 days for a letter to reach
you after it has been written
[page 3]
Write soon and write often
I wait in a good deal of
anxiety for the 15th of Jan. to
decide my fate--leave nothing
undone. Don't forget to obtain
a recommendation for a dis-
charge signed by all the
trustees, if I am elected
get Mr Holcombe or some
influential man to present
it to the secretary and if it
is granted, telegraph immediate-
ly and send the discharge
by mail. I write under some
difficulty and in great haste
Excuse me and believe me
as ever with much love
Your devoted Husband
Love to all
[unsigned letter written by Howe Peyton Cochran, Sergeant, Co. H, 1st Virginia Artillery
]
MSS 9380
1861 December 22 Winchester
Dear Ma
I seat my self this morning to
write you a few lines in answer to
your kind letter that you wrote to
me I am well and hope these few
lines will finde you all in good health
you said you hoped that we was
all in winter quarters but we are not
and dont expect to get into this winter
you said that you was afraid that I
slep cold these nights but I sleep warm
we have a fire place to our tent it
is rite smart help to us I sleep with
Bolivar Cowan & Levy Cline we put all
of our blankets to gether and we sleep war
m Ma you said you would like to see
me, but I cant come home untill spring
but I will send my pickture and you all
can take a look at it. Ma I will tell
you who my messmates are they are
George & Bolivvar Cowan Fielden Coombs
William H. Smith. Levy Cline & Harry honaker
I had my picture taken yesterday at town
and will send it home before long the
boys all say it favers mitely Their is
very little sickniss in the army at this
[page 2]
time. We have had very good weather
evry Since we left greenbrier but it
has been very cold and it looks verry
much like snowing this morning. The
yankees attacked our men on the Aliganys
some days ago but I suppose you know
as much about the fite as I could tell
you. Ma I would lie to see you & Pa
& all the rest and I hope the day is coming
when I will be permitted to see you all
Tell Hayes that it is so cold and disagreeable
that I cant write to him to day this letter
will answer the same purpose as if I was to write you
both Ma I havent had but one pair
of my pance on and they fit very well
only they are a little too tight around the
waist I washed the shirt that my pickture
was taken in. Tell uncle William aunt
Nancy an cousin Te Morton howdy for me
Ma I will have to bring my badly writte
n and spe[l]t letter to a close so Christmas
gift to youall Nothing more at present
but remain your affectionate son
William R. Gilmer
Mr Charles
Mary Gilmer
Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia Infantry
5194
I seat my self this morning to
write you a few lines in answer to
your kind letter that you wrote to
me I am well and hope these few
lines will finde you all in good health
you said you hoped that we was
all in winter quarters but we are not
and dont expect to get into this winter
you said that you was afraid that I
slep cold these nights but I sleep warm
we have a fire place to our tent it
is rite smart help to us I sleep with
Bolivar Cowan & Levy Cline we put all
of our blankets to gether and we sleep war
m Ma you said you would like to see
me, but I cant come home untill spring
but I will send my pickture and you all
can take a look at it. Ma I will tell
you who my messmates are they are
George & Bolivvar Cowan Fielden Coombs
William H. Smith. Levy Cline & Harry honaker
I had my picture taken yesterday at town
and will send it home before long the
boys all say it favers mitely Their is
very little sickniss in the army at this
[page 2]
time. We have had very good weather
evry Since we left greenbrier but it
has been very cold and it looks verry
much like snowing this morning. The
yankees attacked our men on the Aliganys
some days ago but I suppose you know
as much about the fite as I could tell
you. Ma I would lie to see you & Pa
& all the rest and I hope the day is coming
when I will be permitted to see you all
Tell Hayes that it is so cold and disagreeable
that I cant write to him to day this letter
will answer the same purpose as if I was to write you
both Ma I havent had but one pair
of my pance on and they fit very well
only they are a little too tight around the
waist I washed the shirt that my pickture
was taken in. Tell uncle William aunt
Nancy an cousin Te Morton howdy for me
Ma I will have to bring my badly writte
n and spe[l]t letter to a close so Christmas
gift to youall Nothing more at present
but remain your affectionate son
William R. Gilmer
Mr Charles
Mary Gilmer
Private, Co. I, 37th Virginia Infantry
5194
1861 December 22 Winchester
My Darling Wife –
We left here on expedition to the
Potomac on last Monday morning at 7 Oclock and
returned again this evening. We lost one man
Joshua Parks killed by the enemy & his body I suppose
by this time has reached his friends at Lexington
to whom it was sent for burial. Present my Kind
regards to Mrs Parks and say to her that I hearti
ly sympathise in the sad bereavement which
his fallen upon her. He was a brave and
good man universally esteemed and beloved
by his comrades, and his loss is much dep-
lored.
Whilst gone we slept out, without our tents
four nights. I had plenty of blankets and slept
as sound as if I had been in quarters. I really
could not have thought, I could stand so much
exposure with so little inconvenience. I think
if my health continues to improve under
such out-door life I will soon be able to
stand every thing but ball and shell.
I received Helens letters for which give her
my thanks. I was delighted to hear that our
baby is well and improving rapidly. I am much gratified
too at your pressing invitation to come
home. I believe Love you must want to
see me. It has been my purpose to ask
for a furlough as soon as winter had
fairly set in so as to make active
[page 2]
operations impracticable. To day was very cold
so cold that we all had to get off our horses
and make the greater part of the march on foot
To night we have sleet and snow which
I think will pass for winter especially as
it now wants only three days of Christmas
So Love I shall ask for a furlough sometime
this week and if I can get it will be off
for home. And if you hear a loud rub
at the door some night before long you
need not think robbers are breaking in
but that is your own dear husband
coming home to see wife and little ones
dearer to him than every thing else on
earth. But Love you must not calcu-
late with too much certainty on seeing
me. If I can get leave I will, but
that is not a certainty.
I hope you all may have a happy Christ-
mas and wish I had the means of sending
some nuts and candy for Mathew & Gala.
Many who spent the last Christmas with
wife and children at home, will be missing
this time perhaps to join the happy group
in Merry Christmas never again. But let
us be hopeful – at least spare the effort
to merit fulfillment and fruition of the
hopes we cherish so fondly. Now, Dearest,
good bye till I see you or write again.
A Kiss to the children as my Christmas gift
Ever Yours
E.F. Paxton
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
Elisha Franklin "Bull" Paxton, University of Virginia alumnus and Confederate general, commnaded the 27th Virginia Infantry.
MSS 2165
We left here on expedition to the
Potomac on last Monday morning at 7 Oclock and
returned again this evening. We lost one man
Joshua Parks killed by the enemy & his body I suppose
by this time has reached his friends at Lexington
to whom it was sent for burial. Present my Kind
regards to Mrs Parks and say to her that I hearti
ly sympathise in the sad bereavement which
his fallen upon her. He was a brave and
good man universally esteemed and beloved
by his comrades, and his loss is much dep-
lored.
Whilst gone we slept out, without our tents
four nights. I had plenty of blankets and slept
as sound as if I had been in quarters. I really
could not have thought, I could stand so much
exposure with so little inconvenience. I think
if my health continues to improve under
such out-door life I will soon be able to
stand every thing but ball and shell.
I received Helens letters for which give her
my thanks. I was delighted to hear that our
baby is well and improving rapidly. I am much gratified
too at your pressing invitation to come
home. I believe Love you must want to
see me. It has been my purpose to ask
for a furlough as soon as winter had
fairly set in so as to make active
[page 2]
operations impracticable. To day was very cold
so cold that we all had to get off our horses
and make the greater part of the march on foot
To night we have sleet and snow which
I think will pass for winter especially as
it now wants only three days of Christmas
So Love I shall ask for a furlough sometime
this week and if I can get it will be off
for home. And if you hear a loud rub
at the door some night before long you
need not think robbers are breaking in
but that is your own dear husband
coming home to see wife and little ones
dearer to him than every thing else on
earth. But Love you must not calcu-
late with too much certainty on seeing
me. If I can get leave I will, but
that is not a certainty.
I hope you all may have a happy Christ-
mas and wish I had the means of sending
some nuts and candy for Mathew & Gala.
Many who spent the last Christmas with
wife and children at home, will be missing
this time perhaps to join the happy group
in Merry Christmas never again. But let
us be hopeful – at least spare the effort
to merit fulfillment and fruition of the
hopes we cherish so fondly. Now, Dearest,
good bye till I see you or write again.
A Kiss to the children as my Christmas gift
Ever Yours
E.F. Paxton
[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
Elisha Franklin "Bull" Paxton, University of Virginia alumnus and Confederate general, commnaded the 27th Virginia Infantry.
MSS 2165
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