| | 261 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 April 10  | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved yours of the 21st on the sixth; I failed in reciev
ing your letter in time to write to you before you
would leave home, Thought it best to wait a day or
two then direct to Lexington; Thare never was a letter
recieved with more pleasure, or perused with
more interest; When Abe returned to camp we
ware on picket & did'nt get to camp untill the 4th; I believe my letter was enclosed in one of packes he gave it to me on the 6th I hope you will not be low spirited when this
reaches you for I do not feel as if I could interest you this eavening. I spent part of the four noon of this blessed day at our little chaple; Thare was a large congregation all seemed to pa strict
attention to the word of
life; oh how I do wish all our soldiers would
become pious men I am sure then our armies would be
invincible I sometimes think your
brother is trying to be a better boy. I pray I may be right for I hope
to see him a true christian I nead not ask you to make him a special object in
your secreet communings for I am sure you do,; Thare is no news in camp worth your attention.
Evrything is quiet as far as I know The wether has been very inclemment for the last two weeks;) first snow then
rain my darling Kate you said your face could
not ware a joyous smile,
untill you could behold my face, Cheer up
my ever faithfull
one I hope the time will soon hasten round when
we may meet, But I pray the not to put off smiling
untill I come, but rather try
& be cheerfull & hapy. darling I am sorry that my last
letter brought with it sorrow to thy
noble heart; God knows I would not purpos
ly give the trouble. Would that I ware so situ ated that I could say to
the idle of my
heart lean upon my heartarm
an I will support the
through life with a willingneſs that would now no end.” That dream of yours oh that it was a reality I
my hapineſs would be compleat,
Often in my nightly slumber you are by my side & I wake finding my
arms around my friend Trot—oh i
Dear Kate I fear you have some clue that will be
injurious to your kind sisters
hapineſs in the future I wou
ld be sorry if anything should accur to cause her to be sorry for her change in life I have heard rumers but I hope
thay are al
false My wish is that she may be hapy throughout her days, You need not
look for me this summer without sickneſs or the Yanks give me a fur
lough. The detail I was at home on counted as a furlough I would be sadisfied if I
was sure you ware hapy, Abe told me you
desired me to direct your letter in the care of your friend Rachel I think we had better continue to direct as we have in the past for if your parents shuld ever find out you were
corissponding with me in a secreet way
thare anger would be increased against both of
uns;
while they do not positivly object
we had best write openly dear
Kate what can I do to alleviate your troubles, I love you yes
passionately & if you think you have
ever treated me rong I forgive thee, &
will if you will permit love and cherish
the
more then I ever
did, I believe my own coldneſs brought on our
troubles about but I believe they will be a blesing to us both I am sure it has drawn
thee nearer to me, I can only say speed on sweet day
when I may meet thee. I must soon close My
health is very good & I hope this may find you enjoying the
same with ceerfull spirits. Give my
love to you sister & writesoon It is getting so dark that I can hardly see how to write I have not hurd from Bro.
Charles only by your letter Sister is well She desires to
know your name I will give it to her in my next
letter, Now may the blessing of a great
& good God be with
you | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 262 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 June 3 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved your letter the first, Truly was glad to hear from you. But it did not my
consience reprove me forneglec
ting the idle of my heart.
My dear Kate forgive me for I shall never
forget thee or ever seace to love thee, It has been my constant
wish to be with thee for the last two weeks I
hardly know what has kept me from thy side so long.
with
out it is that you are at a stran
ge plase to me & your sister being
unwell Dear Kate I know thy
gen
erous heart has been severly tried of late & if I am spaired I will soon be by thy side to make thee happy if I can,; be cheerfull be
happy
If I am spared you shall never
lack a friend or lover I will come up to see you
next Monday if you think it advisable for me to come up
you have no lady friend on the
plase & your Brothe
in law is no doubt very busy this time of the
year I will come up Monday & if you
think it advisable I will stay a day or
two, God nows I would
like to stay longer but it might not look well. I would write more but I have a chance to send this to
the office so it may reach you tomorrow. Your Brother was well the
last time I hurd from him.Bro, J is still
safe My health is very good My
wound is nearly well. all that makes me sad is to
think my darling Kate is so dispondent
fear not God knows I love thee & I hope to be blest with thee | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 263 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 May 16 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | In all probability you think that I am dead or forgot
ten you as I have kept silent for so long. I
recieved your letter on the eve before the
battle of the fifth while we ware cooking
rations I was truly glad to hear from you. I
was wounded on last thirs day the 12tha flesh wound in
the right arm near the sholder I have no
doubt but you will expect me to give you a full account of the
casualties of our company on that day but I am soray I can not I was wounded about nine oclock & went back
to the field hospital & got my wound dreſsed & stayed thare
untill twelve oclock; when
all that was able to walk ware ordered back to some other hospital &thare was none nearer
than Lucasa C.H. I beged them to let me stay untill the fight was but they
said I could be of no use & would just be in the way
Capt Dempster advise
d me to go on to some hospital Sam A
Lightner Mays & Hight, ware wounded & came home with me
all slight wounds; Lightner wounded in the
right hand Mays " in
the left side & Hight on the right sholder Jake was safe when I left him
he was with me after we fell back from our
breastworks & I dount think our Brigde
went in any more that day I have not the least
doubt but many of our boys ware taken prisoners; The eni
my maſsed thare troops in front
of the second Brigade & at daylight charged the second & drove them from thare
breastworks & following them closly
captured many. by having that gap open thay soon attacked our Brigade in front flank
& in the rear. the front line was deper
esed & a grate many
of our boys jum
ped over the breastworks & took after the
Yanks capturing on of thare
coulars Colonel Funk then told us if we did not
get out of thare we would
be all captured. Then we commenced retreating to
our second line of
works. & while & was croſsing the field I was wounded I am very
thankfull to the great & good God that
I came out so well the air seemed filled with
the laden mesan gers of death I do not know wheth
ar
Brother John came out safe or not
he was on the skirmish line & when the enimy advanced he fell back on the left of the Regt. Abe came out safe I heard from him
friday I hope to get the
all pertic
ulars of the battle tomorrow. Jim Vines, Kelley
& Sayton was take pris
aners last thursday week the
9th. I was very sorry for him but hope
he may be well treated
Cicero Bare was mortly wounded since died John Pilson has lost a leg
amputated above the knee. Jim
Trusler was killed
dead Willie Gardner was killed a
grate many wounded from
diferent parts of Augusta The Yanks have fought with more desperration than they ever fought
before Sometimes I can but cry. oh Lord, what demon has taken
posession of the people that they are so thirs ty for blood. Lord ease thare
apatites
I suppose you have hurd
who
all ware wounded in our Comp
the first days fight, all my meſs have
been wounded but
Crist, Rubush Abny was woun
ded in the ear Shot a
round hole thie size of a maug ball in the left
ear he will always be nown as croſured Abny Trotter
recieved a flesh wound in the left thigh
& Grieaver was wounded in the foot I
sup pose his wound is very painfull Since the commencement of the fighting our Comp has had fif teen
wounded & one has died Tom Shannon Campell
he was
mortly wounded last teusday
moroning & died that eavning
poor fellow I went and talked to him
& tryed to cheer him, He said oh Bill I
can not be
cheerfull my wound is to painfull
he was soon moved of & I
could
nt get to say much to him. Our division has lost
heavily in pris
oners & wounded. When we com menced fighting we had four
Brigadeer Generals & one Maj
Gen.
now we have none able to command. Johnson
& Stuard
captured; Stafford & Jones ware
killed. Walker bad ly
wounded in the arm. All our Regimental field officers came out safe Cousin William Koiner was badly wounded last
thurs day. The night before we started
from our old camp Capt
Lam
pster
Jim Vines & George Bolunture
came out to enquire the way of
salvation oh how I wish our army
would become an army of Christains then
I am sure we would be invincible our God would smile upon us
& we would
seen be a free & happy people I saw your Father today. he
was well & said all ware well at home Rachel C came up to see
me to inquire after her brother he was well
the day before the great Battle I was glad
to hear you ware well pleased in Rockbridge
& was happy try & make your older sister
cheerfull & happy in her new home with
a kind husband by her side to console her evry want
dear Kate you asked me whether I had any
objections to you send ing your friend your picture What objections could I have I am sure I am not your master or lawgiver I would advise you to do as you think best I hope you have not delayed sending it to him on
account of my delaying writing so long Abney
had all my paper & envellopes in his
portfolio & took it with him when he was wounded & we ware almost constantly in the ditches waiting
for the enimy to advance You asked me my reasons for tel
ling your cousin about our enstr
angment. She gueſsed as much by my not
going down to see you She asked me wasn't she right & I could not deny it; She seemed sorry & hoped it would all be
made up & for my saying you mistreated me I deny it.
dear Kate I fell sad this eavning I often think I would be happier if I was
taken out of this world & could be with a kind Mother in heaven My prospect for worldly
hapineſs is dark forgive my wekneſs in
thus writing. My heart seems filled to over
flowing this eavning
We recieved
news this eavning from
camp thare has been fiften wounded & twenty three missing Jake is still
safe so is Brother John & all the
Ruebushis if I had thare names
hear I would send you a list but I know but part
& I will not send any I hope this may
find you well My health is very good I hav
fallen of some ten or fifteen lbs since I was wounded
my arm is getting
tired I will stop Ever pelieve me to be your true friend &
please write soon as I shall look for an answer in a few days | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 264 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 June 3 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved your letter the first, Truly was glad to hear from you. But it did not my
consience reprove me forneglec
ting the idle of my heart.
My dear Kate forgive me for I shall never
forget thee or ever seace to love thee, It has been my constant
wish to be with thee for the last two weeks I
hardly know what has kept me from thy side so long.
with
out it is that you are at a stran
ge plase to me & your sister being
unwell Dear Kate I know thy
gen
erous heart has been severly tried of late & if I am spaired I will soon be by thy side to make thee happy if I can,; be cheerfull be
happy
If I am spared you shall never
lack a friend or lover I will come up to see you
next Monday if you think it advisable for me to come up
you have no lady friend on the
plase & your Brothe
in law is no doubt very busy this time of the
year I will come up Monday & if you
think it advisable I will stay a day or
two, God nows I would
like to stay longer but it might not look well. I would write more but I have a chance to send this to
the office so it may reach you tomorrow. Your Brother was well the
last time I hurd from him.Bro, J is still
safe My health is very good My
wound is nearly well. all that makes me sad is to
think my darling Kate is so dispondent
fear not God knows I love thee & I hope to be blest with thee | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 265 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 August 19 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | As I have a few mo ments after helping cook our
rations I hasten to drop you a few lines knowing you will be ancious to hear from me. I arrived safly in camp the 15th. found all the boys well; They ware all camped in line of battle at Fishers
hill above Strausburg. We had a fine commanding
position & well fortified: The enimy
thought it prudent to make a retrogade
moovment & commenced retreating
& had a slight engagement
in the eavning near Winchester. Our Brigade
never got close enou
gh to fire at the Yanks;
Some of thare
laden messengers came
unplesantly near us. The wing was reported
to have a large army from 40 to 50 thousand We
have been reinforced by /one division of Longstreets corps & two Brigade of F.H. Lee cavilry. The enimy
dis stroyed nearly the entire wheat crop from
Winchester to Straus
burg. burned may barns. We are now lying in
the woods near
Bunkers hill. ten miles below
Winchester have orders to be read
y to moove at any moment
none of us no wich way we will
moove
next some think in to Maryland I had a fine time coming down the valley; Ive come down the back
way; ware treated kindly at mo
plases by the duch of Rockin
ham &
Shanandoor; all the objections I had to the girls they ware all
barefooted & as I thought awkward
in thare
manners; They would commence ta
lking duch in our
presance, often I thought they might be
talking about me. None that I saw could I think half as much of as my
— I am sure. Do not censure me for not writing sooner I fooly intended
writing the day after I got to camp but was sent to the ordinance wagon & coming
back to camp I stoped at a Batery & found my cousin R. Brand & stay
ed nearly all day with him;
he is a nice young man; I think you
would know him he is still readheaded & freckles in his face. For a few
day after leaving I think I was a little low spirited probably you can account for
it
I don'nt think it was leaving
Lottie; though her company was very agreeable.
Since I have got with the boys I have been in fine spir
its & have been enjoying the best
of health, I
hope theese lines may find
you enjoying the same blessing Jake is
enjoying fine health. Abe & Hunter the same Abe is now by my side writing to his better half Be cheerfull
& hapy & pray that I may be spared to return to
thee once more Often I think I would not have
nothing to live for if it was not for thee; It is an
eavill thought but still it will arise in
my wandering thoughts I must soon close as it
is getting so dark I can hardly see how to write; My love to all Write soon, oh how glad I would be to get a letter
fr
om you tomorrow excuse bad writing
& all mistakes I will write again
before long from one that has wished the
hapi neſs for years, | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 266 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 September 13 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I seat my self this morning for the purpose ofdroping you a few lines. Yesterday the 12th we ware on
Picket & the enimies
cavelry attacked us.
And I am sorry to inform you that your brother was
taken prisaner, also
Sargt
Hays,{1} James
Trotter,{2} Samuel A.
Lightner{3} and James Hutcheson, we{4}
were on picket at Waidsville on the Opecken
river one & a half miles from Brucetown; only thirty men of the 5th Regtwas thare a very small force
to contend with the two brigads of Cavelry,
We held them in check for about three quarters of an hour. When about
two Hundred charged acroſs the ford
getting into our rear, we all clubed together
& fell back about two Hundred yards,
When the Wcavelry that had got in our
rear charged us
cauling loudly on sus to surrender, But the little band
heeded them not but
continued pooring volley after volley into thare midts, almost evry shot
taking effect. one charged up within six or eight yards of me whirling his
sword around one of company D who threw down his gun & surrendered, he then
cauled on me to surrender,
the
boys kept hollowing to me to shoot
him but unfortunatly I had just shot
at the bulk when he road up I pre tended to have my gun loaded & ready to shoot him
if he moved. Several of the boys fired at him & the balls
coming so unplesantly near him he whirled
his horse & made tracks
we soon percieved we
were getting them demorolised
& we charged them, driving them from our front, we
ha'nt got more than three Hundred yds when thay
ware reinforced & charged us again in wich our boys ware taken.
thay ware trying to lget to a smallbunch of timber; seeing they could not reach in time
they whirled & fired into the
advancing foe & kept loading firing
untill thay ware all mixed up with the
foe, Seeing thay ware
overpowered & a further attempt to whip the enemy usleſs,
thay surrendered several of our boys seen them going back under guard,
all of us that made for a deep ravine got out safe, one overtook little George Hutchison just
as he got to the ravine & ordered him to surrender George said he was almost scared to death at the
old sword whizzing around his head but he jumped
into the brush & shot the Yank dead of his
horse, our loss in killed &
wounded was very light One of Comp. H was
mortally wounded & died in the eavning
his name was Strausburg{5}, a brother
to the Strausburg in our band.
one of Camp K. recieved a
flesh wound in the our loſs was the
heavyest in
prisaners. Some twelve or fifteen
from the regt. The enimy mostly used
thare
sabers I am certain thay did'nt loose leſs than forty in killed &
wounded
Jake was enjoying very good health I hope he may meet with kind friends
& mild treatment also the
rest of our unfortunate friends, Again we are
left without an office in our Comp. It is
reported that Sam Hays is on his way down to the
Comp. I think the rest of Comp. E will have to go to fort
delaware to recruit, we have
Eleven hear yet & I am sure we can whip
twist that nuomber of
Yanks, My health is very good & hope this may find
you enjoying the same, Thare has been a
great deal of wet weather down hear It has been
raining all morning this is a very cold
rain, It will not be very long until we will
need our over
coats, I heard from both of my Brothers C is at Camp Elmira New York & J at the
hospital in Baltimore J can begin to use his arm & is enjoying
good health, I must close write soon. May heavens
richest blessings
shower arou
nd thee, My love to all, | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 267 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 September 22 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved your highly appreciated letter of
the 13th; by Abe the 20th. You can not imagine
with what
angsity I berused ove
its contents to find out how that absent one was getting along. I hope
this may still find your health improving & enjoying many blessings My health is very good & hope
it may contin so. On the 19th we had one of the hardest
Battles that was ever fought around Win-
chester or in the Valley of Va. And the wosrst of all I hov to acknowlegdge we
ware badly whiped. Many
brave Southerners
bit the
dust,
thare in our noble cause. By the mercies of a
great & good God I am still spared I
cannot be to thankfull for the many
speccial providences that has
protected me thus far. His loving kindneſs has been very
grate towards me & my prayer is that I
may so walk as becometh one of his true followers. Our Comp came out very well I think. only one wounded. Wm Plunkett
recieved a flesh wound in the thigh. & was loſt in Winchester He was wounded just as we ware fal
ling back into Winchester. Our defeat was I think
caused by our Army being scattered. Our Devision the day before went to Martingsburg. drving the Yankee
cavelry from that plase. We
fell back the same day to Bunkers Hill.
twelve miles below Winchester &
Roads{1}
Division was camped some ten miles below
Winchest.& before we could get to
Winchester the other portion of the Army was nearly whipt & at the same time thay
ware trying to cut us of from Winchester. But we arrived thare in time to meet the heaveist onset of the Battle,
& succeeded in driving the enemy near a
mile when evry thing lay quiet except
skirmishing untill the middle of the eavning. When the
enimies cavelry drove our Cav. back
then making three or four desperate
charges on the left flank of our lines driving them back in confusion which soon demorolised the hole army We
have to morn the loſs of many brave men
and officers. Maj. Gen. Roads was
killed early in the engagment
one among the best officers in our army Colonel Funk{2}
was mortally woundedthro
ugh the bowels & left at his home in
Winchester I hope he may recover but it is
doubtfull. Maj. Newton{3} was wounded in the ankle bone broken is on his
way home. He acted very bravely in trying to rally the men. All say he
convered him self with glory. Capt J Bumgarner{4}
was killed also{5}
Lieut J. B. McGuffin My Cous, R. Brand was badly wounded one thigh broken the other a
flesh wound
had to leave him on the field his comp told me he beged them
to take him of the field, but the enimy was so close that they could not. all that tried to get off ware wounded
& killed but one poor fellow I pittie him & hope he may
be kindly cared for, Cous & Koiner
came out safe. We are now lying in line of Battle at Fishers Hill. Both canon and musketry are loudly booming
on our front The enimy
are trying to drive in our skirmishers. We may be closely
engaged before two hours. We are strongly fortified & have a
commanding position I think by the blessing of
God, we may be able to give them a sound thrashing I am fear
ful they may advance up the Page Valley &
cause us to fall back as we have only a small cavelry force commanding it I hope you will
not take the capture of Jake to much to heart I cant help but
think he is not in as much danger as if he was
hear. I hear the roar of canon now in the Page
Valley. I was sorry that your cous, had a relaps
of the fever hope she may soon recover her
former health uxcuse me if I failed to
answer anything in your
letter I have not taken time to look over
it May the blessing of a great & good God be with
you
the news from yours as ever | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 268 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 September 25 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | As I had no chance to send my letter since I wrote it I thought I
would brake it oben & write a few
more lines. The Enimy attacked us soon after
I had finished it & I have had no chance to send it since My health is still good. but I am very tired The enemy maſsed thare
troops in front of the left wing of one army & succeeded in
diving it back & in very bad order some of the enimies
cav. had got in our rear. nothing but night saved our army. We lost ten or twelve
peaces of artilery
& a good many
prisaners J.H. Hight
Tho, Smith &
Wm Holbert have not come up yet.
Im
fearfull they are taken
thay may have made thare escape to the Mt.
Wm Hieger is still out but
think will come in yet as he was on the mountain garding the signal corps
Yesterday we had to retreat twelve
miles in line of battle. Then when night came on we marched some
twelve miles towards the Mountain on the Keezletown road starting early the
morning fell back to Browns Gap. The alley
seems alm
ost to be at the mercy of the eni
my I hope we may soon be reiforced &
drive them down the Valley double quick. I hope this
may reach you before the mail route gets blockaded I will soon have to quite
writing soon as it is getting so darck I
can not see & have three days rations to cook before I can lay
down & rest | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 269 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 October 2 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | In all probability my last letter never reached you. I will drop a few
lines by some of the boys that are trying to get a pass for forty eight
hours I wrote to you while we ware at Browns
Gap. We stayed thare a few
days had a skirmish with the Yankee Cavly & drove them back acroſs
north river. next day marched to Waynsborow
rm's">whare
Begrams Div. of Inft. & u's Cavalry">Fitz H.
Leus Cavely
drove the Yanks from. I
visited Uncle H. Koin
ers while we camped at Wansboro. I was very much pleased with my new aunt. She is very
kind & sociable. Cous, Martha thought I had
entirly forgotten them, as I had never been thare since the
War. I promised to do better in the future.
but you know how frail my. promises are, often made to be broken. Yesterday we
had a very severe
march marched from Wansboro to with one mile of the
willow pump We are camped 13 miles before Staunton
on the right hand side of the Pike
It is reported hear this morning that the enimy
are fortifiing fortifying at Mt
Crofford I thought yes terday evening we would be engaged with thare advance before this time the boys passes have
My health is not very good Yesterday I was unwell all day
feel much better this morning hope I
maybe entirly well in a day ortwo, Abe & Brit. went to Sirus
last night. The boys are all well, I think we will
stay hear today I must close my love to all | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 270 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 October 2 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved you long looked for letter
yesterday. I eager- ly broke its seal, & berused ove its contents; you
cannot imagine with what angsiety I had waited I had begun to think that prob
ably you ware sick; It seemed an age
since I had hurd from the one I respect above all
others, you can well imagine my uneasineſs
Sometime I thought I had been forgotten; then
again some gay lad might have changed the current of thy affections
& you feared to brake the news to me, I supposed you had not recieved my letter of the 21sst &
26th I
wrote 4 pages the 21st then
wrote two on the 26th but
the mails ware very
unragular about that time,
know doubt it has come to hand over
this
I would like very much to have got
home while we ware camped in the lower edge of the
county. I could have gone when bart of the
boys went, but I was not very well & the time so short I did
not feel able to make the trip, While at
Wanesburro, I visited my Uncles Was very much pleased with his young wife, She is a very nice lady & seems very
kind to the motherleſs
children, Cous Mat give me a regu- lar scholding for visiting them so often
& hoped that I would not be so distant in future, She said it took all my time to visit the Trouts
while at home I tried to make her
behive better but she would not listen to me, While camped at Bucks Mills I visited Mr, Browns was kindly
treated She said that if I went back that he
would write to you that I was carried away with the Misſs
Trotters. Thay are very nice girls & I think would please most any
man of moderate taste; We have orders to
moove & it is late so I will have to close
for the eavning, 16
th
We are laying quiet this beautifull
Sabbath morning I wish that I ware some plase that I might go to the
house of God & try & spend the day in his servise The 13th we had a
little brush with the enimy before Strausburg We drove them back in double
quick capturing several hundred prisners
I think thay ware surprised in meet our Infantry, the
prisners said
thay expected to find nothing but
Inbotons Cavelry. The 14 we had a slight skirmish with some Cavelry I don't think thare was any loſs on eather
side, We are camped now in rearfour
old fortification at fishers hill I
believe our army would make a very hard fight now. All want to wipe
out the old stain of Fishers hill
& Winchester I think the people are to hard on Early The army has not entirely lost confi dence in our old ,leader I
fear he uses to much of the poisened water but do,nt think he is
ever past tending to his duty. as he is our leader we ought to all
have confidence in him, or he cannot gain no
import tant victories, Cousin R Brand was badly wounded
at Winchester & left on the field of Battle, John Wright got to camp last eavning, & Robert & Luke Taylor the eavning before, We have thirteen now for
duty. I will keep up with the rest of the comp. in the regt, My health is very good at presant, and hope this may find you the same, We have orders to clean our guns for
inspection. Invariably we have to violate the sabbath by having
inspections on the holy day I must soon close My kindest regards to all enquiring friends; recieve my love as the best
token of our frenship, | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 271 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 October 28 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved your truly
wellcomed letter last Monday eav- My friend J brought it out to me I have not had a chance to talk with him yet.
He is look ing quite well,
he is fearfull the Provost gard will be troub ling him before long. I hope they will let him remain
at home untill I get able to
ride around with him, I wish Ano would get
that provoking card about Staunton to let him alone, for I suppose
She knows as well as I know that he is not
able for duty yet. I saw Miſs Lottie the other day She looked as nice as the first roses of
Spring. But alas I stand a poor chance since
brother J. came home, He seems to be the beau
idle of all the
ladies, well my D— I suppose such
as the above will not in
terrest you as you will be
ancious to hear how I am getting
along, My health is ery good & my wound is
doing very well. I hav'nt suffered by very
little yet. It only hurst me when I attempt to hopp about. Know dou
bt you will think me very unfor tunate or lucky in getting home so often with flesh
wounds, The
Battle of the ninteenth
was hard & bloody. Up to the time that I was wounded victory
was entirly in our favor. We had captured
almost evry thing the enimy had,
but I have understood late in the eavning thay ware reinforced by the 6
corps & our army suffered another stampe-
de Our poor unfortunate Comp suffered heavily, went into the fight with twelve men,
had two killed & four wounded
one of the latter since died. I suppose you have hurd all the casualties
Mr Heizer died at MtJackson before his Father got thare. You Uncle Burks would have me to come down &
stay a few days with them so that I could be near the
Docter if I should need any medical treatment
with my
wound, It is a worse wound than my other an disables me more in getting about, but I hope
by nice treatment that I will be able for duty in forty or fifty days.
I went to see your cousin
L while I was in
Stanton. She introduced me to
Cenmer. He">Mr Cenmer he is a
very nice young man. L tried to rig me about him but I think she failed in her attempt, de'st Kate I would like very
much to see you I know I could talk much better
than I can write I expect to go home tomorrow
eavning if brother J comes after me.I have been watching the road for you &
An but I suppose you ware
just talking. I think I will be able to get about in a couple of weeks
if I have luck. Then I am sure I will not delay in coming to see my little bird. I am so glad you are
enjoying good health. hope the roses may continue
to gather on your cheeks. br
evry
person said I looked like haI had been sick when I
came home. hard marching had pulled me down a
greateal. but I think know I will soon way a hundred
& sixty. I am glad you have hurd from your
brother Hope he may be kindly treated
& soon return home. I must soon close
write soon as I will be glad to hear from you. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 272 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1865 February 14 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I avail myself of the present opportunity to drop you a few lines I arived safly in camp the
night of the 9th, Had some very roughſ
weather to come down
in, I thought that when I was in Staunton that if I
was at home I would stay
thare untill the weather would mod
erate, But I had gone tofar to turn
back, While in Staunton I visited your Cous,L.— She gave me a comple
te scolding. I pretended at first that I had'nt been down to see you since she was out,
& told her that the last time, I was
down I was treated in a manner that lead me to
believe that the next time that I went, that I
would be dis
carded. & that such feelings would keep my lover from the idle of thare
heart, She told me that she did not believe me, Butthat I was getting
geleous, wich you may know I
desired I then told her all,
The weath
er has been very cold down since
I came down We have no snow hear I am very cirtain that it is not leſs than fifteen inches deep
in the
valley I suppose you have hurd the glad tidings t,hat all our prisners are going to be exchanged, But
our hopes for pease are all crushed thare is noghtin left us now but
fight.
untill our broud foes shall nuckle
& acknowledge our independence If
we should surrender now to our
enimies we would I believe be one of the most
downtrodden Nations in the world, So we had better con tinue our
strugle untill we have all found a
home in our mother earth
The boys are all well & in muc
betterspirits than I expected to find them
Thay had a fight last monday
week
none of our Co, ware
hurd, I expect a god many of the boys will go to Cavelry if we are consolidated &
Capt Willson takes command of
us I intend to go rather than surre
nnder sutch a
tyrant, I wish we could get men enoughf hear to save our old 8 for it has been
a faithfull
Co. & I hate to see its name die out.
John Sane. is getting a transfur to
Gen.
Lees
body gard. Grieer &
Volentrare are getting transfurs to the 18th
Cavelry & Tom Campbell to mounted
artilery The boys are all ancious to have thare names of the rolls of Co 8 for
fear of consolidation
Thare was a letter in camp from Sister waiting for
me I answered her letter several day ago she was quite well
Dear K you
must not scold me for not writing sooner for we are kept so busy hear building our breas
work that one hardly has time to write our fortifications are about a mile
ourfrom camp Thay are
twelve feet thick & seven feet high with three rows of abbetters in frunt look like will
be imposible for Mr Yank
ever to get near us, I have no news worth your
attention evry thing is quiet along
our lines, How did you enjoy yourself the eavning that I left I
suppose you thought it a very cold
parting indeed it was to me, but we have
always to be governed by sircumstan
ces, Dear Kate believe me to be holy thine for I am sure evry
pulsation of my heart beats love to thee & I hope it shall
never nv nv
change
others have loved you & may love you
again, but never as devotedly as I have
no other I dou'nt think could
ever have the influence over me you have I
want to make it my future busineſs to live and act for your
hapineſ I must close soon My health is very good
hope this may find you enjoying the
same write soon give me all the
new & believe me to be your true &
confiding lover, | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 273 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1865 March 22 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | As I have a good opportunity to send a few linesI hasten to make use
of it. My health is very good indeed & hope this may find you the
same, I have no news worth
communicating, Thare are a thou sand diferent
rumers afloat.
Gen, Johnson{1} attacked the eni
my at
Bentonville North
Carolina{2}
& drove them back one mile captur
ing three peices of Artilery
& some few prisners
when night came on & the conflict
ceased, The enimy
during the night was reinforced with fresh troops & fortified.
thair position, I hope this is only the
begining of favora- ble news from Johnsons
Army It is reported hear that the
enimy attacked Longstreets Corp in thair
entrenchments on the north side of the James, the 20th charging him three succeſsive
times & was each time hansome ly repulsed. I pray almighty God to give our men brave hearts & strong
arms to withstand the shock of arms this spring so that we may be able
to teach our foes that we can never be subjugated while we can
raise an army,We are camped Near Pete
rsburg. Our Corps relieved Ander
sons We are camped in line of Battle. The Enimy are camped
l in line of battle half mile in our frunt. Thair Pickets are about two
Hundred yards in our frunt, & our pickets fifty yards in frunt of our
breastworks I am on picket
on third of my time, The duty is not very hard in daylight, but after dark you have to be
very wachfull we are not allowed to sleep
during the nights we are on picket The
Yanks seem to be very sociable I believe
if it ware not for our officers the men would all
be laughf ing & talking together. in fac the Georgians on our right are constantly
trading papers & topa
cco for coffee They call us all
Johnnies Thair is no firing in our frunt, But is kept up con stantly after dark in frunt of
Roads{3} Div. I declair it looks like foolishneſs to see
men thus opposed to each other to be fight ing. I am certain if this war was left
in the hands of the
privats peace would soon be
adjusted. Thare was right smart
mortor shelling hear the
th.
It is a magnificent sight to witneſs mortor shelling after
dark, But is not very plesant to be exposed to the dangerous
misles, Many are under the impres sion that thare will be no
regular engagment fought hear I hope it may be so. This is any
thing but a beautifull camp. Most of the men
llike groundhogs live under the ground I do'nt think it will be very healthy hear in the summer season, Our foes
have again been desecrating our once lovly valley. Thare raid
was a very suc
seſsfull one. They done a
great deal of damage to our railroads & canal, But I will hope on & hope ever
that thare is a better day
comming, If you see brother John try &use you in finance in{4} getting him to return to his old comp.
both brothers have a notion of joining some cavelry
command I would rather stay would not do so at presant. I have written a long letter to J. advising him to
return hear our cavalry papers came back
disapproving Dear Kate believe me to bear thee
the same strong & pure devotedneſs that I have hear always expressed I must close soon write as
soon as convenient give me all the
news generally Now may a great
& good God be with thee & thine | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 274 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1865 August 11 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | It is with pleasure I once more grasp my pen,
to write a few hours away in converse with thee, I recieved our highly appreciated
& unexpected letter a few days past,
Believe me it was more than wellcome. I
can not help saying this is at
presant an out of the way
plase for me, as I can not hold a regular as I would wish to do;
with my fading
lilley; Thare is no mail runing out hear yet, & in all
prob
ability will not for sometime to come, I am once more writing by candle light. But hapily not
listnig to the lone tread of the Sentinal on
his nightly watch. But to my Bus that seems
to be hurrying wheat into a State of readineſ for the cook; Grain is coming in dayly,
& I am kept busy the largest portion of my
time, I am willing to be kept busy night &
day for the long four years you spoke of in your letter I look forward & sigh
but if it may be Gods will
thare is pleasure in store for me I hope,- I am like Abraham of (old) not
only willing to searve four,- but
fourteen to accomplish my desire; Alas I ought
not to write so childleſs no
one knows the deferent changes
that may occur in the next four, or or
seemingly, with us,
a century; At presant
health is a blooming & future antise pations are Spread out before
us as a beautifull picture But alas in the next four years
one of us, may be called to give an account of our
Stuardship
hear on earth,-if so let it be
S earth has no charmes that heav
en cannot surpaſs, The night
is growing old, I imagine you are now lying
upon you coutch your spirits wandering
in some fuiry dreamland— profbably with Willie by your side smoothing your pathway, This is a beautifull
night all nature seem clothed in brid
al-Splender, The majestick queen
is midway in the heavens, & seems looking down upon this troubled world of ours, with a smiling face, & the thickly doted
little twinklers seem to say to one,
admire, & reverance, the
omnipotent creator of all things, ah the
weekneſs of man is so easily seen when we take a view of creation we are continually working &
striving for some great end, but Sudden ly
fall,& are soon forgotten in this world & others follow our
landmarks. I have had quite a plesant time
since I came up
home, “Did I say home”
“Yes“ for
whar was I ever better treated
unleſs by the side of “Midie”
thare was a bicknick given to the Soldiers of this neighborhood We had a magnificent dinner evry thing good that could be scraped up
theese hard times, I acted the
cavalier with Miſs Lindsay a very
interresting lady. After dinner all
came down to the
Mill, I had several interresting
te,detetes with the
fair ladies The Ladies & Gent—men of
Cars Creeſk
honered us with a Stor
m
several nights bast I made my self as agreeable as I could among Strangers I do not know when I will come
down in a month or so at fartherest believe me to be your ever
devoted lover Excuse me if I have failed to
answer anything in your letter I will
answer them in full when we meet When you write
Direct your letter,
to Alone Rockbridge Co
Va | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 275 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1865 December 12 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | It has been so long since I have tried to put up a letter that I am at
a loſs to know how to commence. When I cast my eye up at the
top of the page & see the heading
Alone,
It calls forth a short sigh, & I imagine
shall it always be so, I am alone at heart, while company are around me inviting
me to be cheerfull I noticed in the last Specta tor the Marrige
of Mr Peck & your Cous, Lizzie, Does this not create a sigh in my breast If I had been a child of for tune I might have been blest with a smiling bride, and alas I wait on the
uncertain future, when thy noble heart may change towards me, & eaven
score
eaven the omble path I pursue why is it
that fears torment me, on thy account Well I know you have never
giv
en me of late room to doubt
you consistency, Sometimes I imagine I
see you looking at
me; and saying; I once
loved you, but now I pity you. Weell I know thare is know tender cord in thy posom
but wich I can cause to vibrate with feelings
of pity, The last time I was in your presance you desired to be united in the holy
bans of marriage in Nov. The month is past & you have never hurd from Mr. Dear Lady
can I account for my inconsistancy
It must be my carleſsneſs & fate, If I could have willed it to my sadisfaction you would now be with me,
But well do I recolect that I have
hurd you say time and again that you never would
be willing to marry me, untill I had some
little home of my own to take you too. at that
time I coinsided with you
But know I fear many moons will grow old before I can claim
a home of my own.own or such as I would have a
little lot I would not have if I it was made a presant to me I believe I could keep a mate at my presant acupation with ease. & would be willing to risk it next fall. & at presant but we have
not house room. as
Mr C, has
a
young couple living with him this winter. His wifes
bro, Why am I writing thus,
what makes my heart throp & say
oh Kate what must I do to make thee happy. While I am writing I
am sad. I know not what recep tion this may meet
with. “Maybe” cold &
formal, Once I believed the sight of my scribling created a
pleasent sensation. But that
time has propably past. & may be
left to morn because I was the dupe of time. Time
waits for no one & I have been wait
ing for time. I may wait on & in a few short years I may sleep
with my mother earth. Dear Kate I intended comming down in four weeks from the time I was
down, But my ocupation is so
confining that I cannot always go when I desire.
& I have neglect
ed writing untill I am ashamed to write, Busineſs & love are two
conflicting eliments, Belive me I remain yours
with unchan
ed devotion. & if you will wait
untill another Summers
Sun shall paſs I will give the
my hand with my heart. if not your will shall be
my desire I do not know when I will get
down during hollodeys I hope I will bring this
to a close hoping you will excuse all my past errors & love me as
your Willie boy | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 276 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1866 May 24 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | Your letter of the 30th of Apr. came to hand last week & I have been reflecting
in whatmaner to answer ever
since I will use candor;
& be brief. I cannot do you;
& my
self,- justice unleſs I write in the same
style my last was composed. I have been laughſed at & ridiculed on my sad & indifference to pleasure of late, &
what caused it; yes the cause was your hapineſs, but how I am ever to accomplish
that, is beyond my scope of comprehension. I fear
theconse
quenses of marrying when my af fections are not satisfied
would probably endanger both your
futurehapineſ & mine.
From the tone of your letter you seemed to be under the impres
sion that I had formed an attachment to some
lady of wealth. I canpositivly affirm
that I never have addresſsed
no lady, with your exception, Your letters & andring,
you requested to be brought back. I am sorry it is not in my power
to bring the letters into existance I have
had no private place to deposit them, tharefore in yoursummonys they ware all committed to theflames
Your ring I will bring or send to you the first oppor tunity. My letters I hope you will burn or destroy in some
way. most convenient with your
feelings. I thank you for your
kind & holsome advice I sin cerely wish this day; that I was at peace with God; I know I am a sinner, & will be lost
unleſs I change & seek forgiveneſs of him who
gave us our being.
how I pray thee not to let mallice eradicate evry feeling
ofrespect in your person for me, God knows thare may be a change
& I may race the day of my
blindneſs,-But do not
wait on me; I will not attempt to allure you with any rash
promises. The long long past was all brightneſs & sunshine but alas now all is dark yes
dreary in fact I have
not a charm to bind me to earth I will not
commit to you the many evil thoughts that has
filled my mind
Probaly our corispondance had best seace I will leave
it to your
discretion, My health is just tolerable. I
hope this may find you in the best of heath & your
cheek blooming with the freshneſs of
spring- Please do not let any one read this
letter as I do not wish to have anyweeknesſs
exposed; I will close hoping you will still
remember me in your prayers | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 277 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Jane Brand | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from Jane Brand to William
Francis Brand, August 13, 1866 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | Your welcome letter reached me not long since and not to delay any I
will answer it immediately Excuses being always plentiful I will not
let any definite one arise
Be negligence no one for not writing sooner. Pray do
not think I have forgotten you. If there is any such feeling lurking
in heart, banish every such feeling
for I know you cannot have such an evil spirit against one who has
ever loved you. Truly I have not been at home much in three months I spent two monthin Marion I was pefectly
enamored with that place I must
acknowledg that I enjoyed my visit there splen-
didly After the excitement of examinations
subsided the town became comparatively dull for a season but all were
willing to abide that monotony to enjoy a little rest. No doubt all
appreciated repose. Some of the exibitions were very entertaining
Griffin young Ladies bade adieu to the halls of
learning to begin their careers in the worlds
broad field of battle The thoughts of that place
have recently had two tournaments and contemplate having still
another. They are becoming so common I have lost all interest in them I wish you could have
seen one of the nights representing Don Quixote
accompanied by his page Pancho Panza and encased in complete armor Really he was one of the most hideous being ever was ever was
seen During my visit I attended a large Sunday school Picnic. The place designated for the picnic
was Poplar's spring about five miles from Marion. The roads being good
we arrived at the springs about 8 oclock Four or five hours passed gayly by and about 1 or 2
oclock dinner was announced and such a display of
luxuries were spread out before us as might satisfy the palate of the
most fastidious epicure We paid our
respects to these dainties pretty generally and after two or three
hours of unallayed pleasure we took up our line of march for
home. We expect to have a picnic in our neighborhood this week.DoNo doubt we will have a gay time
I being necessitated to teach,
at present is devoting my leisure hour hours
exclusively to study, prepar- ing to enteringupon
what avocation when I think proper.I am compelled to get married or teach
andand between the two evils I prefer teaching yet a
while. The man that I marry will have be something superior to
the common herd of mankind. He will have to be such if he can
ever win my affections for my heart is now dead to every emotion of
love. I hope you will pay me visit this fall. I would be so glad to
see you. The crops are very good in the lane brake, but not
elsewhere I send you my photograph and hope
you will send yours in return. Don't get frightened
at it Excuse my paper and
pencil | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 278 | Author: | Senior, Charles Berry | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Letter from Charles Berry Senior to his Father et. al., 1864 February 21 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Description: | Thinking that you might like
to hear from me I concluded to write a few lines
We started last Wednesday arrived at Charles
city
on the same day. Next day we took the stage
and got to Cedar Falls. Took the cars at
Cedar
Falls next morning and arrived at
Dubuque
in the afternoon on Friday. We have been
staying here since then but expect to leave
for Davenport tomorrow. We have got
our uniforms excepting overcoat & dresscoat
our knapsack haversack blanket & canteen we
have got. the rest of our uniform our arms &
our first installment of bounty we shall re-
ceive at Davenport. We board at one of the hotels
here & report to roll call 9 & 2.
You will understand the nature of the
enclosed certificate. weare all in good
health & excellent spirits. Yesterday
Wahington's birthday was celebrated here
the home guards marched through the street
behind the fife & drum. There was target
shooting in the afternoon in the evening
there was a grand supper free for all
soldiers in the Union League Hall after
supper speaking, then dancing by the
young folks, 2 violins 1 clarinet -& one
double bass, were the instruments — the
performers were all germans but they
were verry excellent players I am
in haste & have not any more time to
write at present. I shall write again from
Davenport
to write to me | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 279 | Author: | Senior, Charles Berry | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Letter from Charles Berry Senior to his Father, 1864 March 6 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Description: | I am standing by
a window here in the soldiers' home
and the boys are just singing the
Star-Spangled Banner. Long may it wave'
You may be somewhat surprised at
my delay in writing to you. me reason
was that I couldn't give you the directions
to write to
me until now. So far I
have
enjoyed the very best of health.
The boys are, I believe, all well, at
least in Co. B. The weather here
is quite warm. This southern sun
shines in at this window this morning
with the warmth of a
mid-summers sun
at the north, it looks to be at about the
same altitude. The water we have
here is not of the best quality, it is the
water of the Cumberland River and
is very nearly the color of clay.
The
Cumberland river is quite a stream,
being navigable for the largest steamboats.
The railroad bridges are
on a swing, that is the boats
come to it, it is made to separate in
the middle and one-half swings to
the side. We had the opportunity of
seeing this on the evening of our
arrival here from Louisville, Ky.
A number of us boys went to a theatre,
last night, in this place, it was
the first that I have ever seen. I
thought that I was well paid for
my quarter. The principle play
was Shakespeare's "Macbeth." I am
of course no judge of theatres but I
was well satisfied with what I saw
and heard. The instrumental music
was good 3 violins, harp, one
clarinet, one brass instrument, I
think a bugle & Double Bass.
You talk about singing and such
like, but there was a girl here last
night that I think would beat
your Mrs. Sunderland decidedly.
I expect that you have received
by this time some money that I
sent American Express Co.
($60) You may send me word that
you received
it, for if not, I have
a certificate that insures its
loss. I expect that we shall
leave here tomorrow, probably for
the front, Pulaski. We expected to
go today, but some accident or
another that happened yesterday
between here and Chattanooga pre
vented us. I am tired
of stand
ing and writing, so write to me as
soon as possible & direct to
me Co. B 7 Reg. Iowa Vol. Pulaski
Ten, care of Cap.
Reiniger. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 280 | Author: | Senior, Charles Berry | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Letter from Charles Berry Senior to his Father, 1864 April 13 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Description: | I Take my pen
& paper to write to you again. I am
still in the enjoyment of good health
& hope that this may find you all the
same. We are still here but it is probable
that we shall move in some direction before
long appearances at least indicate as
much. One thing our veteran soldiers have
been called out to drill the orders are that we
shall drill 6 hours a day so as to perfect us
in the drill immediately & target shooting
one hour each day for the recruits. Another
thing they are making fortifications here
One large block house here is nearly finished
& I understand that they are going to build
another one a short distance from here across
the river. So that one hundred men
with the aid of these fortifications can
withstand as much as one thousand without
them It is the prevailing opinion that
when they are completed that we shall
leave here for more active service. There
is also great activity commenced on the
railroad that runs through here. a short
time since there was not more than one train
each day Now there is as many as six
each way to carry provisions & stores ammunition
etc. to the army south it is likely that the
spring campaign will soon be opened vigorously
very soon. It is about time to do something
or the heat of the season will be stronger
than either of the contending parties &
compel them to lay inactive till another
fall. There are some days now that
were it as warm north you would
say this will make the corn grow. We
dont know as much here about the operations
of the army as you do where you get the
regular papers at the north, but we know
more about a soldiers life I am not
disappointed I have not had to suffer
half the inconvenience yet that I expected
to or may even have to do in future
but our worst enemy or the one that I
fear most is sickness & as long as I can
avoid that why all right. There has
been a noted rebel guerilla caught not far
from here called Moore he has played
about these parts considerable robbing army
wagons plundering killing etc. since we
came here he gobbled up two of our boys
who had got outside the picket line in
search of a cow that belonged to the
regimental hospital but they gave him
the slip & got back to camp here again
There has been some deserters come to our camp
from the rebel army they give a deplo
rable account of the condition of the rebel
army say that they were pressed into it
etc. but no reliance can be put upon them
I think that the government are too easy
upon those rebels that are not in arms against
them. I don't believe that there is one good
rebel or union citizen in Giles Co Ten but they
are allowed to come within the lines with
with passes which the got from the regimental officers
signed by the Colonel we have quiet a
chance
to find out their principal when we go on
picket truly many of them have lost their
last cow & pig & would just as soon shoot a
picket as not but they ought to swing too
it makes some of the boys curse & swear to
see them round with their butternut-colored
clothes & brass buttons as near rebel uniform
as they dare come & durst not pull a trigger
on them. I have had but one letter
from you & I dont know why I dont
get more I want to hear at least
once a week or oftener & another thing
I want some postage stamps I
have to borrow & it will soon run out
on that score. I must say that H. J. Smith is promoted
to first Lieutenant -I
conclude Direct the same
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