| | 1 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: William Francis Brand | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine, March 4, 1862  | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I received your much welcomed letter a few days ago and now seat
myself to drop you a few lines my health
is very good & hope this may find you enjoying the same
blessing The health of the Com. is very
good atpresent we have evauated Camp Zollicoffer &campt in a half mile of Winchester I believe that we are going
to evacuate Winchester as they are
moving all the Government property back to Strausburg & all the sick are hurryed
back It is reported that the Yankees have posession of MartinsburgCharles
town & Berryville but I do not believe it and still hope that we
may be ordered back to our Cabbins before
long, The question was asked our Com. yesterday whether we would enlist for
the war or not Thirty five elisted for the
war the remainder
say they will stand the
draft I am no longer a volinteer but a regular for the war be
it long or & my prayer is that the God
of notions may help me as the apple of his eye
I will look to him at all times for he is ablt to save in the
darkest hours of per il, It is an assurance
most dear to know that he will not forsake those that put thare trust in him I was very sorry that your
Brother did not reenlist as I would like to have his company as a
gide
through this tempestuis world of war I suppose
thare is a grate deal of excitement in old
Augusta at this time on account of the draft that is to be made this
month I hope that it may hit some of the
speculators I hope I may have the
pleasure of getting home on furlough before long I would like very much to see you
Remember me in your prayers that I may hold out faithfull to the end Write soon. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 2 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1862 March 4 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I received yourmuch welcomed lettera few days ago and now seat
myself to dropyou a few lines myhealth is
very good &hope this may find youenjoying the same
blessingThe health of the Com. isvery
good atpresentwe have evauated CampZollicoffer &campt ina half mile of WinchesterI believe that we are goingto evacuate Winchester asthey are
moving all theGovernment propertyback to Strausburg& all the sick are hurryedback It is reported
thatthe Yankees have posessionof MartinsburgCharlestown & Berryville butI do not believe itand
still hope that wemay be ordered backto our Cabbins
beforelong, The question wasasked our
Com. yesterdaywhether we would
enlistfor the war or notThirty five enlisted
forthe war the remainder say they will stand thedraft I am no longera volinteer but a regularfor the war be
it long or & my prayer isthat the God of
notionsmay help me as the appleof his eye I
will look tohim at all times forhe is able to save inthe darkest
hours of peril, It is an assurance mostdear
to know that he willnot forsake those thatput thare trust in himI was very sorry that
yourBrother did not reenlistas I would like to havehis company as
a gide
through this tempestuisworld of war I supposethare is a
grate deal ofexcitement in oldAugusta at this timeon account of
the draftthat is to be made this month I hope
that itmay hit some of thespeculators
I hope Imay have the pleasureof getting home onfurlough before
longI would like very muchto see you Remember mein your prayers that Imay hold
out faithfullto the end
Write soon. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 3 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 January 2 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | It is with pleasure that I again seat myself to drop you a fiew lines I arrived safely in camp Monday
last. I was very glad to see the boys and thay
seemed glad to see me with them again My
health has been very good since I left home I
thought Saturday night in Staunton was one of the lonliest nights that I ever spent I had a very nice time coming down on the cars I had very little or no trouble with the box
for Jake he would make me eat a meal or two
with him for fetch ing it down to him I meſs with
Christ Abe Trotter Lightner
Abury & Brittonthare is some talk of
us forming a new meſs I suppose you have hurd
of our victory in Tenasee I think the
picture of our confederacys is brightning and I hope before long we will be a
free and in
dependant people the army is in
the very best of Spirits
the boys are mostly speculating as soon as Plunkett
brings a load the boys buy him out & then sell at a small
profit I believe Abe has made twenty
Dollars today. Well thay had
one on gard last new
years night
the boys all said if thay
had have been in my place thay would
have staid untill after
newyear I am very well sadisfied
that I have got back to the company We
have a very nice camp and I hope we may
stay hear for some time we are in eight miles of Ginnie Station We have plenty of wood put
the water is not very good, I was very much
obliged to you for the fine pickle you sent me to eat on my
departure from Greenville. You ought to have seen me part with Hattie I know you would have sent me a larger
pickle. I found Cous, Jimmie looking rather
badly he has not been well for some time I gave him the apple as you requested with
your
simpathies
in his late distresses. I found
Bros, Charles & John well and harty I have taken a very bad cold since I
returned to camp put hope it will soon ware off I have been very cheerfull ever since I got
to camp thare is no news of importance to
write I expect we will hafto go on picket tomorrow The
boys are mostly all well Curg is looking
splendid. John Meeks arrieved in camp
today our Company no.
over forty for duty I would have writ
ten soon but we had to moove and then build us bunks
oh kate how often I think of
you.
and wish for the time when I may be your
true and constant
companion you are constantly with me in
my dreams be cheefull my
Kate for by the will of providence I will soon
return write soon as I am allway glad to hear from you
good by my one dear Kate as it is almost
dark | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 4 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 January 19 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I have seated my self for the purpose of writing you a few lines to
inform you of our wharabouts my
health is very good & hope theese
fiew lines may find you enjoying the blessings of
health and happineſ I have
been waiting in suspence for some time for
a letter from you I have come to the
conclusion that my letter never came to
hand I wrote soon after I came down, you can well
inmagin how lonsome I have been in
looking for a fiew lines from you I will now send out the second arrow hoping it may find it's
destination Jake told me yesterday eavning that you had never hurd from me
since my return to camp I had in
writing yesterday put I thought
I would wait and send this by Mr Carson as the
other failed by mail I have no news of importance
to write We ware on pickett last week had a very easy tour of it, I
could not see any yankees acroſs the
river I think the grater portion of thare army has gon South & some twenty or thirty
thousand of our army has gon to meet
them we have orders to keep one days rations in
our haversacks
untill further orders
Some thinks we are going to South Carlina I havent but one objection to
going It wuldill be so seldom that we could hear from
home I would like to See
the country & then we would be on the cost whare we could get plenty of oysters we hafto pay six dollars a
gallon for them
here & no butter then to
eat with
them, well I got a letter the other day from
the mill; I tell you that it had Sams name in
more than one line I had to laughf at several of her conclusions of the hearafter
we have a large Co. now for
duty some sixty odd, the largest in the
brigade we have got our tents at last the boys are busy building
chimmies to them, I hope we may camp
hear all winter We
have plenty of wood and tolerable good
water, and are enjoying all the sweets of camp life, and you know they
are fiew at best
I hardly know what to write to
interrest you I hope you have
recieved any other letter before this
time I wish I was whare I
would'nt have to write for
it is a grate deal more pleasure
to me to talk to you than to write I have often
been near you in my dreams since I last seen
you, but alas what are dreams they vanish
in a moment from our sight & are gon forever I hope the time may soon
come when I may fondly encircle thee in my arms & call thee
mine
oh Kate forget the I never
can & would not be forgot for the
gold of opher, I hope your path may be strune with flowers and if I can not make you happy
some other may I ask an interest in your prayers excuse this uninterresting
letter I will try and do better
next time let no one see this my respects to all & my love to you | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 5 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 February 6 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | Nine oclock P.M.
as the most of the boys have retired to thare bed of poles I have concluded to drop
you a fiew lines, My health is very good
& hope theese fiew lines may find you
enjoying the same
blessing, Thare is no news of importance
to write, we hafto go on picket
tomorrow morning I suppose we will get a
peep at our enimies I hope we may have a
plesent time while we are on picket, Thare has been a grate deal of snow & rain in the last two week I hope we may have some more clear weather
now The road are
almost a bed of mud
It is almost imposible to get provi
tions from the debot to our
camp I suppose thare
is plenty of snow in augusta now for sleighing
if so I hope you may have some
plesent sleighrides we take our
fun in snowballing. We have formed a Bible class
& meet on
sundy & Wednsday nights to
recite our lessings I hope it may be
carried on and that some good may come ofv'e it we have a grand theatre in the Regt, carried on by Capt Brown of the Marion Rifles he is
a very good performer he is a noble
singer. Capt Newton started this morning on
hoon
furlough
he is very lucky in getting home though I do not envy
him his good fortune I would have written
by the Capt if I hadve haved notice in time.
as
it is I will hafto risk
another by mail hoping it may soon reach your hand
Well Kate did your cous,
Lizzie make you acquainted with all her secreets
if so do you know who she is engaged to I will tell you my reasons for asking you this question
in my next letter if you answer it I am a
thousand times obliged to you for the cheese you sent to
me I assure you it was something I never look for I would like to be in a meſs with your
brother but the boys would think hard of me
for leaving my old meſs I may say we are
almost one meſs for when ever one
meſs gets a box the other is envited
to share its contents
but if
Lieut Dempster joines the
officers meſs I exspect to change
well Kate I wasent aware that I had shown so many sines of my weak
neſs on leaving Greenville it
goes to show the feebleneſs of mans
nature I was very sorry to hear of the pereveme
nts of the Harris famlies
I hope the al wise God may do unto them as he
did unto jobe of old bless thare
future years
you said you wished you could take our places down
hear do you think you could stand out on
gard one of theese
cold nights
and if you could do'nt you thin we wou
ld be as unhappy if all the Ladies ware hear and we ware at home you wrote as if you had been trying to get
me to change my love for you but alass
how could I you are
constantly in my thoughts by day and my dreams by night & God
forbid that I should ever love another woman I
have often thought dear Kate that you never loved me as I did you
but found the keys of my heart and took pity on me. It seemes to me that man is one of Gods weakest instruments
well Kate I have not entirely quit chew ing tobacco yet I have
used one plug since I came back to the company
I used to chew two a week I hope I may entirely
quit before
long; uncle John was wounded at the sharps burg fight in the arm, I exspect he is in
buckingham.
Bro John had a letter for me from Sister when
I came down She was well and going to school I would like very much to see her Jake is well and looks
harty cous, Jimmie is enjoying the same bles
sing I must bring my letter to a close as it is
afto twelve oclock Abe
stayed up and bothered me untill eleven trying to
find out who I was going to write to my
respects to all; the family write soon as I am always glad to hear from you let no one see this | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 6 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 April 7 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | Truly time has seen many days paſs & your letter remained
unanswered, I have procrastinated untill I am aschamed to
seat my self to write
eaven to the kindest of friends. One request I will
ask of you that is to forgive & forget, I intended writing before I left camp. But after I had a chance for a furlough I
thought I would wait
untill I got home & then I might come
down, But alas it seems that I can never get
away from home, I have had very bad health ever
since I came home. Some days I suffer with chills & fevers
with violent headeache & pains in my
limbs. Father is very ill with the mumps, though I think he is getting
better, It will be my time to have them
next, as I never had them, I have had chances to
have taken them before,Propberably I may miſs them this time, I wou,nt care if I ware so fortunate
Well I reckon you think, “What have I been doing towards enjoying
myself” since I came home, The blues have been my most constant companion I declair I never was as lonesome in my life Time seems to stand still on her
wheels, Tom is busy blowing so if I wanted to go anywhare I
have no horse to wride. I formed a slight
acquaintance with your friend Fannie Seems to be
a very nice girl, Kind I think would make a
noble coquet,
But you must not tell her that I ever thought such a
thing, well you know that it is natural
for self willed man to form an opinion of
the fairer sext on first sight. Well I do not
know what to write to interrest you I
promist to answer the questions that I
asked in my last letter in ref
erence to your Cousin Lizzie,
But I will wait hoping that I may see you before long. Then
I can answer you verbaly, I know that I can
sadisfy you in that way better than by writing I suppose you have already form some idea of my reason for asking you I hope that I may soon get my
health & be able to help work some on the farm as we will be late
with the spring crop I suppose you ware surprised to hear of me coming home as you
wrote that I wou'nt come home for six months.
Thare
if I could get a furlough,
Tharefore
do'nt suppose you are very ancious to see me, But for my part I
never was as ancious to see you in my life Though you may think my actions do not prove it, Well you must
recolect my health & more I have no way of getting about, Dispair not I will be down ear long, And then my long absence will
make it a hapier meet-
ing, Often you are by my side in my nightly dreams them it seemes that
I am happy, But I wake up & find it all
delusion I must bring this uninterres
ing letter to a close I hope
this may find you enjoying your usual good health
if I have written anything in this letter to mar your
feeling your parden I
crave | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 7 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 April 30 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I have diped my pen in fluid for the purpose of
dropping you a fiew lines. My health is
remarcably good. I think work agrees with me
for I am getting fatter evry day. Well I declair I do not no what
to write to interrest you. I was out to see
George Britten{1} last Sabbath. He is looking
very badly. He sais he will
not be able to return to camp before May cherries get ripe Miſs Lizzie Brown was thare. It was the first time I have been in her company for
the last four year; She is a very nice lady.
George & her are engaged I think I told george that I
would be ashamed to come home & let the ladies see me looking
as badly as he does All the girls told me to
give you thare respects I told them I
would in a day or two. Miſs Kate B. came just as I was get
ting on my horse to leave. If I had known she was
coming I would have stayed a fiew minutes longer I stoped at Burkes Kate
as usual had the blues. I will be down friday
eavning or early Saturday morning to take you to Staunton,
if the weather will permit & providence agreeing, you must be sure to go for I think it will be a
pleasent trip to me
at any event It is now noon &
Tom{2} is teling
me it is time for to go to the corn
field I am scoreing out
corn ground I hope this may find you
enjoying good health I will give you a verce or two of poetry
& close | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 8 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 May 23 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | As I have a good opportunity of sending you
a few lines, I accept it
with pleasure & hasten to inform you of my whearabouts & health, My
health is very good but my greatgreat toe will I am afraid give me
some trouble before it gets well I had to
have part of mythe bone removed And I hope when it gets well this
time that I may have no more trouble with it, I
had inten
ded comming down this eavin
ng am not able on account
of my presant lamneſs, I hope it may not be long
before I get able to go about. for I get so lonesome
Well very
propberably I have the blues
some times & you may well
immagin thare cause”
“I want to see my bonnie wee Kate”,
“Well you must sympathise
with me in my afflictios Well Kate you ought to have been in town on the 20th
to have
witneſst Dr. Hay opperrate on my toe. It seemed quite
amu
sing to Burk & Dr
Hay. When I began to awake, one of the men waiting
on me had on a yankee uniform I hollowed to him hault you yankee
Burk told me to spit on him
& I tried my best & some
other childleſs things I was gilty of for a few
minutes after I woke up I was very sorry I
did not get to see Cous
Lis but I would a great deal rather see my Kate for tis then I can enjoy my self, oh Kate I konow you would laughſ at me hop
ping on crutches Well I must bring this
uninterresting epstal to a
close I would be most hap
py to hear from you at any
time I will come down as soon as I can bare to ride a horse I ask
an interest in all your
prayers | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 9 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1863 June 3 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved you most welcome
ed note this morning by Lizzie It found me something better than I was last Sabbath.
My toe is little or no better yet. I suffer a
grate deal with it & exspect for it to be pain
full for a week or two. dear
Kate you wish me to come down & more
its my great desire to come soon as I posibly can, I will have to
improove very fast if
by
I get down the last of the week
for I am so weak at present that I cannot hop across the room
without
assistance I hope by the last of the week I
may be able to find the way to my darlings side
I had a grate
notion to tell Lizzie that she might have let you come up today in her
place. But she might have told me better I am a thousand times better obliged to toyou for the eatables you
sent My appetite is something better that it was some days past
well L has come & wants to go so I cannot write
much more
be in good spirits I am
so sad I cannot w
o
rite any thing that will be of interreſs I will come down soon as I posibly can | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 10 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | Title: | Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to
Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 January 21 | | | | Published: | 2000 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I take the present opportunity of answering your letter of the tenth.
I was truly glad to hear fromyou But alas
it bore tidings that went like
poisind misles to my heart I have set down before for the purpose of writing to
you; but my heart failed me, And now with a
sad heart, I attempt to drop you a few lines, My
health is very good, this I sincerely
hope may find you enjoying both health and hapineſs, I have no news of moment; worth your attneention so you must look for an
uninterresting letter You may
well imagine my heart is full to over flowing; you ask me if my
K— would prove faithleſs towards me could I forgive
her. Dear Kate you know that I have a forgiving
heart If you should learn to love
another man better than me; or that you could enjoy your future hapineſs better with your first lover
than with boor W I would be
heartleſs not to free you & forgive you; though I could never forget or seace to love you. To harber such thoughts as I have alluded to above make me feel miserable: To think that my first love should be rect. or
thrown away on one fair
to good for me, one that is
good pure & virtueous who made vows
unto me while her first love seemed to be
dieing
away, Then after a long time she again meets him: & her old love is rekindled for him,
& she to good and kind to hide it
from me has opened her hold heart to me
And asks me what she ought to do under such circumstances Dear Kate what kind of an answer can I give but pray Almighty God
to help you to prove true to who ever you love; best; I am resined
to the will of providence Dear Kate if
you should ever learn to forget me I pray thee to never boast of having fooled
me; thareby ading pain to a true but
wounded heart, if you should sease to love I would have nothing to live for in this
world; I do'nt see
that I should desire to live out this
war But would be wiling
to throw my self in danger of the misles of death that I might quit
this frail world & be at reast I will
change this; to me;
“painfull subject. I hope that you are happy and
are trying to interrest your kind
& docile Brother that is now with you. I hope he may enjoy
evry hour
of his short stay at home, I was on picket when he
started for
home; Brother John is at home on
furlough poor fellow was very sick when
he left camp I went as far as
Orange with him. I have had to haul him
thare in a ambulance I
have never
hurd from him but hope he arrived
safly at home, No doubt he will pay you
all a visit before return ing to camp, oh yes you said that in fifteen days
that Lizzie was going to leave
home you left me to gueſs for what purpose I supposed that she is going to get mar
ried if so I would like very much to be at home
& see her name changed
my kindest regards to L— & tell her
that I wish her much hapineſs
through all the changes of this life My repects to all enquiring friends if thare be
any I had a very strange dream the other night I drempt that me
& you had fallen out & Rachel Cro was intersee ding for me, I
must close you must write soon & a
long letter give me all the
perticulars consurning L.nothing more | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 11 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 12 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 13 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 14 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 15 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 16 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 17 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 18 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 19 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
| 20 | Author: | Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis | Add | | | 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 |
|
