1862 March 1

[Warren wrote this letter with a poor quality ink that has faded to near invisibility in the past 150 years]

Camp Walker
Mar 1st 1862
My own darling
This must be a short letter[remainder of line illegible]
a [remainder of line 2, illegible]
[? ? ? ?] are looking for me every
day or some would write. but we are all in
a sort of “hurly burly” condition and no one seems
to know what is going to hapen [sic] or be done. I have
sent forward an application for leave of absence
but can have no idea whether it will be granted
or not. I certainly hope it may for no man ever
wanted to see wife and baby more than I do
just now. I said the other day that Genl
Johnston would fight here at all hazards, but
now I am of opinion that he will not, unless
he is sufficiently reinforced to secure a vit victory
of a decissive [sic] character. So you see I change
opinions very rapidly – thus showing the confusion
of things and the constant change of circumstances
from which I make up my mind. I have now
nothing further to say than that I would not
be surprised at orders to fall back tomorrow, nor
will I be greatly surprised if we remain in
our present position for a month. Every thing is
in a state of uncertainty. Col Gibbons & I & Walker
had a full settlement this morning and I am
satisfied. He made every acknowledgment and
every concession either of us could desire. Denied
that he had called the officers together for con-

[page 2]
sultation but only to impart information which
he had already communicated to us. At any rate
we all made it up.
Dr Moffett is still very ill and really I am very
fearful he will not recover. he suffers greatly and
gets but little sleep. I dont know what we are
to do with him if we leave here.
I have no news to tell you. plenty of rumors
but not one word that I believe to be true and
if I had anything I dont suppose you would
care to know about it I certainly dont care
to write about it – thinking as I do only of you
and our little baby – which was certainly not
over three hours old when your brother wrote to
me of its existence and this is the last word
I have heard from or about either of you, though
the little thing is now almost four days old. of
course I cant help but be uneasy about you
and cant be in good spirits. If I get my fur-
lough I may arrive with this letter if not then
the next day – but I have not the slightest idea
what success I will meet with
Take care of yourself my own darling and believe
me most devotedly & affectionately
Yr husband
E.T.H.Warren

"Genl Johnston", line 12 - 'Joseph E. Johnston, commander Confederate Army of the Potomac.'

"Col Gibbons", line 23 - 'Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.'

"Walker", line 23 - 'Samuel T. Walker, Major, 10th VA Infantry.'

"Dr Moffett", page 2, line 4 - 'Samuel H. Moffett, Surgeon, 10th VA Infantry.'

"E.T.H. Warren", signature - 'Edward Tiffin Harrison Warren, Lieutenant-Colonel, 10th VA Infantry.'


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

MSS 7786-g