1862 February 26 Camp Walker

Camp Walker
Feb 26"" 1862
I have received yours mailed on
yesterday saying that you were scared and
Camp apprehending a serious illness. I hope my
darling that you are unnecessarily alarmed
about your condition in fact I feel certain
that you are in no imediate [sic] danger. I think
you have done well to tell Hillary of your
condition and I hope you he will not hes-
itate to remain with you. You must strive
to keep up your spirits and not be alarmed
at the condition of our army and country
I have have full faith that we will be able
to hold our own and that we will yet
win victories which will place us on a level
with the Nations of the Earth. Let nothing that
you hear make you dispair [sic]. I cant to day
write to you in as good spirits as I did
last night. I have just returned from

[page 2]
a visit to Genl Johnstons Hd Quarters and
have been unsuccessful in my effort, but
was led to anticipate it before I got there,
from the fact that this morning after I left
my quarters I ascertained that orders had
been issued to the army to send back to the
rail road all of our extra baggage – such
as trunks, boxes, tents & puting [sic] ourselves in
as light marching order as possible. So that
on my arrival there I was told that I
ought not & must not apply for leave under
any circumstances whatever. And I am
was told by Genl Stuart that Genl Johnston
had heretofore been applied to on the
same grounds that I applied & that he had
pertinaciosly [sic] refused. So far as I am per-
sonally concerned I did not care. I hoped
and believed that I could do my country
a service the Genl however seems to think
I can do more good here and I must
submit. Now the question is what is the

[page 3]
meaning of the orders to send baggage back
I construe it simply to mean that we
are preparing for any emergency a fight
or a fall back – a victory or a defeat –
in other words Genl Johnston dont mean
to be caught asleep. We will not leave
this point und without a great fight unless
Genl Jackson be first driven from the valley
I observed that our men are still working
for the completion of the R Road to Centre
ville. A large force are at work on the
fortifications at the Junction. So I think
you may be perfectly easy for a while
to come. So keep a cheerful heart – and
try & be perfectly quiet so that you may
go your full time. Hillary must stay with
you until I can see you. He must not
suffer any thing, no matter what, to take him
away. Let him write to Dr Wingfield & state
the reason why he remains at home and
I have no doubt he will see him safe

[page 4]
Thursday Morning If I was in your
place I would send George to H B &
let him bring over such things as
you need. He can bring you a heap
of things in the new trunk which
I got for you of Mr Cumings and
can get all the money I have in Bk
of Rockingham on the enclosed blank
check – he can write his name & the
amount in when he gets to H. B. If
he dont find the trunk at Mothers
he can get it by going to see Harry
at Mr Sprinkels store who has been
instructed to deliver it to mother
I suggest this because since the ac-
cident you mention you cant tell
what moment you may be sick
Of course I am uneasy that I cant
now leave here without resigning in
the face of an anticipated attack
Most affectionately yours
ETH Warren

"Hillary", line 7; page 3, line 16 - 'Hillary Magruder; Virginia 'Jennie' Watson Magruder Warren's younger brother by five years.'

"Genl Johnston", page 2, lines 1 & 13; page 3, line 5 -

"the Genl", page 2, line 19 - 'All referred to Joseph E. Johnston, commanding General, Confederate Army of the Potomac.'

"Genl Stuart", page 2, line 13 - 'General James Ewell Brown 'Jeb' Stuart.'

"Genl Jackson", page 3, line 8 - 'Thomas J. 'Stonewall' Jackson, commanding general Confederate Shenandoah Valley District.'

"the Junction", page 3, line 12 - 'Manassas Junction.'



"go your full time", page 3, line 16 - 'An 19th Century term referring to pregnancy and childbirth.'


"Dr. Wingfield", page 3, line 19 - 'John Q. Winfield. Early in the War, he commanded Company K1, 10th VA Infantry. This company later became Company B, 7th VA Cavalry. At the time of the letter Winfield was Captain of this company. He had been a pre-War physician in Broadway, Rockingham County, and continued so after his military service ended in June 1862 and into the post-War years.'

"George", page 4, line 2 - 'George S. Magruder, Corporal, Company C, 13th VA Infantry; when the letter was written he was recovering at home sick. He was Jennie's younger brother by seven years.'

"H. B.", page 4, lines 2 & 11 - 'Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Shenandoah Valley.'

"Bk", page 4, line 7 - 'Bank.'

"Mr Sprinkels store", page 4, line 14 - 'Charles A. Sprinkel, merchant, Harrisonburg. Early in the War, he had commanded Company G, 10th VA Infantry. He resigned his commission as Captain in the fall of 1861.'

"ETH Warren", signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.'



[transcription and annotation by John P. Mann, IV]

MSS 7786-g