| | 81 | Author: | Brand, William F. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout, January 9, 1866  | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-ValleyOfTheShadow | | | | Description: | I recieved your letter yesterday. after reading
& rereading it my feelings ware tinged with a
degree of sadness now I have taken your letter before me, for the purpose of
trying to answer its details something I never tried before & believe it
imposible now. While I gaze on you epistle my
mind wanders & I cannot senter it on no one
subject. Now believe me I am going to try to write what my heart shall dictate.
You are well aware I once loved you devotedly yes passionately up to the time of
our first enstrangement
Since then I have never have seaced to love you. But I cannot confine it to the
burning love I once enjoyed. Can I help it that I changed, I withdrew my
affections at a time when I thought all was lost that was dear to me. Oftimes
since then I have tried to be the same loving Willie I once was, but it seems
that I have failed Now dont
belive that you are forgotten for no other woman has
ever tuched a tender cord within my breast. You are
in my mind from morning till eve, yes my only desire to live is to perpetuate
your hapiness, give your hand to annother & I will leave this country wich will be a proof of
my feelings for you I am so carless my bright visions of the future may soon fade
your mind must have been pushed to an unusual degree of temperment when you wrote I dont
belive I could commit to memory all the charges you
prefered, I will not attempt to excuse my self
of any for very probaly I am gilty of all I spent a Mery Christmas
& a plesent New Year, Evry girl that fell to my lot to entertain was flatered to a limited extent So you may term me a cold carless
flaterer & of the world worldly my early
landmarks have all nearly been erased, what do I live for. My heart says thee
while my actions do not prove it you may doubt this writing put it is the truth
What more shall I say shall I fill this
page with loving ephithets or with the sad realities of my changed nature. You
once knew me as a devout flolower of our meek
& generous Savoir. But alas for a long time I had only a name to live
while dead. This may be the sadest letter you ever
recieved from me I never intend to hide any of
my faults from you. I know not what kind of a reply this may bring be what it
may I hope it may have its desired effect. Alas you will say Willie will soon be
a ruined youth it may be so, but I hope to the contrary I am certain the
intoxicating cup shall never drag me down in its ruinous path of misery. Since I left Augusta The grate I am has called for some of her fairest duels. It
seems that the fairest flowers are always smitten first. I recieved a letter some time ago from my darling sister oh how I long
for her emprace. Brother C was up to see me last
night got here late yesterday eavning &
started early this morn. He is looking quite well, dont
seem to take it very hard about loosing Bette, mans hard heart is hard to brake Dear Kate I pick up your letter and look at it.
Then say I cannot answer it, do not know how to commence so I will wait hoping I
may soon see you, when I can answer it more satisfactorily than by writing I expect to
make my apperance in old Aug
Sadurday week will call on you unless sooner
prohibited Do not let this uninteligible
letter give you any truble. If your hand is given to
another before I get down I hope you will let me have the plasure of thaking it once more Bro C told
me that J.V. & J.H. was at a party at your house some time ago very good
joke on them | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 82 | Author: | Brand, William F. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout, April 5, 1866 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I recieved your letter of the 29th It found me in the saddle & after
reading its contents my feelings were deeply affected. Its clarion nots rang louder than the shock of the midnight assault,
Indeed it made my heart, as it ware
blead in simpathy for you,
I havent the least doubt but you hurd the rumer, you ought to have seen my
mortified & anger lit continance I didnt think thare was one living
in G. so disspsibly pose as
to circulate a malicious lie. I deny emphatically of taking a drop, or asking or
desiring one. I have evry reason to believe that your
relitive was the starter of the lie what else
shall I term it & for the simple reason I have been more fortunate than
his son in trying to be something in this world I will not deny your charge of
swearing occasionly & God knows I am
sorry to make this confession, but I never shall try to decieve you in the
least. I have always used candor & hope I never may very from its treshhold I
was down to Staunton on business & was detained longer than I expected I
would like to have called on you but had not time. excuse my haste while in
Aug. I am doing very well & have no
fears of the dangerous red cup no I will never bring Fathers head in sorrow in
the grave unless it be in regard to my soul & I sincearly
hop I may claim a right in the first reserrection ere long only by busy boddies who ought to learn our lords prayer. your letter
was like a white winged angel I admired it, it was tuching & pathetic thare is nothing in
it to hurt my feelings, I can well imagine your feelings while pening it, that dear brother bust
that you have lately intered knows me better than
some of my well meaning friends. I hafter hurry on
home as soon as I am done this very propaly I may
hafto go to Lex,
yet today. I have stayed all night with friend John I am heare you will send me I am very neglectful it might be best if you
could forget & I will write again in a short time wich may be more sudisfactory, friend L
was well the last time I hurd from her write whenever
it suits you your letters are always welcome | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 87 | Author: | Brand, William F. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | William Brand to Kate Armentrout, March 28, 1861 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | Tis said that absence conquers loveBut oh believe it not.I've tried
alas its powers to prove,But thou art not forgot.Lady though fate has
bid us partYet still thou art as dear-As fixed to this devoted
heartAs when I clasped you here.I plunged into the busy crowd,And
smiled to hear thy name,And yet as if I thought aloudThey know me
still the same.And when the wine-cup passes round,I toast some other
fair;But when I ask my heart the soundThy name is echoed thare.And
when some other name I learnAnd try to whisper love,Still will my
heart to the returnLike the returning dove;In
vain I never can forgetAnd would not be forgot,For I must bear the
same regretWhatever may be my lot.Even as the wounded bird would
seek,His favorite bower to dieSo lady I would with you speakAnd
give the parting sigh.If other guests should come I'd deck my hairAnd
choose my newest garments from the shelfWhen though art bidden I would
clothe my heartWith holist purpose as for god him self.For them I wile
the hours with tale or songOr web of fancy, fringed with careless
rhyme,But how to find a fitting lay for thee,Who hast the harmonies of
evry time.God bless you darling when the mornShames far away the mist of
nightAnd trails above the waving cornHer gorgeous glory robes of
light.God bless you when the sunset tintsWarm the high battlements of
heaven,As day a fond warm kiss imprintsUpon the gentle brown of
even.God bless you may your sleep be sweetAnd fraught with bright
& peaceful dreams.And waking may your youthful feetTread mid
lovers flowers by Crystal streams.Oh friend beloved, I sit apart and
dumbSometimes in sorrow, oft in joy divine,My lips will falter, but my
prison'd heartSprings forth to measure its faint pulse with thine. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 91 | Author: | Lightner, John P. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | John P. Lightner to Kate Armentrout, October 31, 1861 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | It is with pleasure do I take my pen to answer your elaborate epistle, which I
received through the hands of our soldier & hero Mr J. Hayse. It need
not be told you that it was received & perused with great pleasure as I
consider it a pleasure to read letters from all my friends, who manifest such a
deep interest in the welfare & safe return of our soldiers as you do. I
am tolerable well at present, but not as well as I have been. I never had better
health than I had two or three weeks ago. Have fattened so much you would hardly
recognize me, if I were to meet anywhere away from home. I think you might come
down & see us all, while we are living in peace & quietude. The
indications for a battle are very faint; according to my way of judging. We will
soon be strongly fortified here, and I hardly think the Yankees will attack us
so strongly fortified, since they are afraid to "show us fight" in an open
field. We had a grand display of the Va
Vols yesterday evening. Gov.
Lecher was present & presented to each Va Regiment, the Virginia
Colors, with a short speech exorting them to never
let her be dishonored, while in their charge. All the Generals with in reach,
were present on the memorable occasion. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 94 | Author: | Trenton, Annie | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Annie Armentrout to Kate Armentrout, February 8, 1862 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | If you think it is so lonely since the "V. Rts." left I will try & have
you forget them a few moments, by reading a letter from Home for fear if you
think of them so much you will become troublesome on aunt's hands. And I now
don't wonder at you feeling lonely, since I have heard that that certain Mister is out of reach of
his "Plug of tobacco," & so far away from "his Cousin Janey." Now Kate dont go to grieving about
him, for I will have him a plug by the time you get home, not worth
while though to get it before as you have forbid him coming
until you return "for fear he would fall in love with me." | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 95 | Author: | Trout, Annie | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Annie Armentrout to Kate Armentrout, February 20, 1862 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I will commence my letter with the sad description of John's funeral. He died
Thursday night at twelve oclock, his corps reached
home or rather his Uncle Toms Saturday evening, & his funeral was
preached there, to a large congregation of dearly loved school mates &
friends on Monday. Oh Kate I never saw any one look so life like in my life not one change from the dear face we parted with last
summer not one did I say, not one in outward
appearance, but oh that one great change that had sealed those dear lips, dimed those eyes & stilled that tender loving heart. Kate I
felt as though I must say something to him to wake him up for I could but think
he was sleeping, no mortal hand could have smoothed that countenance to such
perfect tranquility. John now sleeps to wake no more but his pure spirit
unconfined is exploring the regions of the unknown world. After remembering
& sending messages to all his schoolmates & friends he told his
Pa to tell one & all to meet him in Heaven
& his last moments were prayer haveing become
perfectly concious. Kate Just two days before his
death his Father in mooving his sachel let your likeness fall. John said "Pa
take that home with you & take good care of it." I donot know whether he said any more about it or not. I
wanted to have a talk with Mr Lightner the day of the funeral but so many were
around him asking about John that I had no chance. Doctor McFarland preached an
exelent sermon from
Psams
the CXIX 119 chapter
75:76:&77th verses. The first hymn: It is the Lord, enthroned in Light;
The second: Lord we share thy best
designs; The last: submissive to thy will, My God. He is buried in Mr Pilson's
graveyard by the side of his uncle John Tompson & now farewell dear Jno until the resurrection morn where we hope to
meet you in realms of light & blessedness: Farewell, Farewell. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 96 | Author: | Shields, Maggie E. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Maggie Shields to Kate Armentrout, March 4, 1862 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | I have been promising you a letter for more than a fortnight, but have neglected writing until this late period, though
doubtless it will be quite unexpected to you even now as it is almost entirely
unwonted for those at home to introduce a
correspondence with an absent friend; but you know as hard times increase, all
precedent customs as well as general formality diminishes & as I deem my
"own dear self" a miss of self-competence sufficient
to be governed by momentary impulses I will preface a fashion which I anticipate
will remain unimitated though hope not
depreciated, if it be a breach of former civility or etiquette if you please.
Well, Kate I scarcely know what to communicate first; as I am aware you hear directly from the neighborhood that so frequently that you receive the news almost as early as myself;
suppose from what I have learned that your fruition has been dazzling in the
zenith of its magnificence during your visit up to the present time; &
presume it will not cease to continue as long as parties, are the fashion
& Valley Rangers, with plenty of "Tobacco" are the Chorus in your "Town"; Oh! I have a great
desire to hear from you. There has no material change occurred within the limits of our vicinity since you left us, we
still experience the alternations of joys & greifs which we have been accustomed to almost daily since the war
commenced; we, in accordance with the
dictates of the Sacred writings rejoice in time of victory & grieve when
conquered. Suppose you have heard the
particulars attending our friend John Lightner's sickness & death; he
died wishing us all to meet him in heaven, which should be our unwearied
endeavor & consequently our final end. You had my heart-felt sympathy
upon hearing the melancholy news; but this Providence like theirs should be
weighed with the balance of humiliation, as the loss of one is the gain of
another. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 97 | Author: | Armentrout, Jacob C. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Jacob C. Armentrout to Kate Armentrout, April 22, 1862 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | we were on picket about two in the morning we suppose the object of the
picket was to stop straglers for the tenth Regt. came across upon the same road consequently
the enemy could not leave unexpected. We left Rude's Hill the 11th & camped near the Spring. Abe, Hunter, John & I
stope
allnight at Ants She was
very much distressed at the thought of the advance of the enemy the people in
general were rioting about in the utmost confusion not knowing their personal
fate if they stayed nor the fate of their property if they left. Unkle
Cirus sold some cattle in town & on his return,
he & his three sons met the Brigade they had their horses &
equipments expecting to join their
company at Richmond they certainly had but little time to escape for the enemy's
calvery were at the Spring the next morning.
Ashby killed several in Mr. Lincon's wheat-field it is sayed Cousin John & Albert took dinner at home the next day.
They say the enemy did not disturb any citizen but took several horses. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
| 100 | Author: | Brand, William F. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | William F. Brand to Kate Armentrout, May 4, 1861 | | | | Published: | 2002 | | | | Subjects: | University of Virginia Civil War Collection | UVA-LIB-BrandLetterscivilwar | | | | Description: | In confusion not as you exspect for time is so very
presscious that I have to hurry about evry thing. Yesterday we ware all
on Maryland hights & had nothing to eat
& raining an no shelter put when we came home those that we left had dinner ready for us.
Brother arrived safely yesterday with Thomas Supple put
James Supple never will get hear for he took sick at Winchester & I
exspect he will go home, very likely it is good
policy in him for I know that he would be scorned almost to death. I would not
be in his plase for a fortune or any thing that seems
dearer. We all enlisted our servises to day as long
as Virginia had need for us. I dont think that we will
be released before Three or Four years & if that may be the case we all
never can come home. John is well, I think he wrote to you all. I am not surtain. Abraham sends you his love to you. | | | Similar Items: | Find |
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