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Although Moffett did not include the year in writing the date, we have determined that he authored this letter in 1862, since he enlisted on March 27. 1862 and died on June 29, 1862.

Aunt Clem, or Clemenza Stuart, lived next to the Brooks and was married to Benjamin Stuart, the brother of Moffett's mother Eleanor Stuart Brooks. In the 1860 Census of Augusta County, she is listed as being thirty years old. "Bet" most likely refers to Betsy Brooks, who appears in the 1860 Census of Augusta County as a twenty-nine year-old living with Silas and Apatia Brooks.

Moffett wrote this letter three weeks after the Confederates' March 23 defeat at Kernstown. The battle significantly weakened the Stonewall Brigade, since of its 1,418 soldiers, 343 were either killed, wounded, or missing. After the battle, Jackson commanded his troops to retreat to Rude's Hill, which is near New Market (Robertson, The Stonewall Brigade, 70-78, 82). Moffett's confusion about the strength of the Federal forces was common. As James Robertson reports, "The men in the ranks were aware that Federals in great strength were pouring through the Valley, but knew little else of the military situation" (The Stonewall Brigade, 84). Unbeknownst to Moffett and his comrades, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, Union General Banks and his force of 19,000 soldiers were waiting to attack Jackson.

C. B. "Charly" McClung became a member of the 4th Virginia Infantry, Company I on April 12, 1862 and was discharged on April 17, 1862 (Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry, 62).

In April of 1862, the Confederate army was reorganized as a result of the Conscription Act, which extended the enlistments of those already in the army indefinitely and made provisions for drafting men not yet in the service. The Act also allowed soliders to elect their own field officers. As Moffett reports, Company I of the 4th Virginia elected Hugh White as its captain, Givens Brown Strickler as lieutenant (here Moffett's information conflicts with Robertson's, who writes in 4th Virginia Infantry that Strickler was chosen as a second lieutenant in April of 1862), Samuel Harrison Lyle as second lieutenant, James B. Culton, who had just enlisted, as third lieutenant (Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry 80, 75, 62, 47).

Hugh Augustus White (1840-1862), whose brother James was Company I's first captain, enlisted in the 4th Virginia Infantry while a student at Washington College. Prior to being elected captain, White was appointed a sergeant on September 13, 1861. Surprised that he was elected captain, Hugh White accepted the position with a great sense of responsibility. As he wrote to his brother Henry, "Promotion in itself brings neither peace nor happiness, and unless it increases one's usefulness it is a curse. An opportunity is now afforded for exercising a wider influence for good, and if enabled to improve this aright I shall then be happier than before" (quoted by Bean, 111). White was killed on August 30, 1862 at Second Manassas (Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry, 80).

Like White, Givens B. Strickler (1840-1913) enlisted in Company I of the 4th Virginia while a student at Washington College. He was promoted to corporal on June 30, 1861, to first sergeant on September 13, 1861, and to Captain on August 30, 1862. He was captured on July 3, 1863 at Gettysburg, and was imprisoned at Johnson's Island Prison until he wa exchanged on March 14, 1865 (Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry, 75).

Samuel Lyle (1840-1898) was a student at Washington College when he enlisted in June of 1861. He was appointed sergeant on September 13, 1861; promoted to First Lieutenant on August 30, 1862; slightly wounded on November 27, 1863; captured May 12, 1864 at Spotsyvania; and paroled at Fort Deleware Prison on June 15, 1865. He is buried at Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church in Rockbridge County (Robertson, 4th Virginia Infantry, 62).

The only officer elected who was not formerly a student at Washington College, James B. Culton was elected third lieutenant when he enlisted on April 12, 1862. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on August 20, 1862 and and resigned from service on March 16, 1863 (Robertson 47).

Captain Henry Morrison of Company I was captured at the battle of Kernstown on March 23, 1862. He was not exchanged until August 5, 1862.