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The Stonewall Brigade constructed Camp Winder for their winter quarters in December of 1862. Located in the forests of Moss Neck, Camp Winder was easily accessible to the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad and offered good drainage, wood and water supplies (Robertson, The Stonewall Brigade, 175).

James Burns (1841-1864)of Augusta County enlisted in the 52nd VA Infantry, Company B, in July of 1861 as Third Sergeant. He was elected Second Lieutenant in May of 1862 and promoted to First Lieutenant in June of that same year. Burns was wounded in action at Sharpsburg on September 17, 1862. He is listed as absent on leave in February of 1863, during which time he could have received a letter from Eleanor Brooks to deliver to Andrew. During the Spring of 1863, he was involved in arresting deserters. Burns commanded Company B in the Fall of 1863 and again in August of 1864. On September 19, 1864, he was fatally wounded in the stomach at the battle of Winchester (Driver, 97).

Dr. Hoge refers to Moses D. Hoge, of the Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond. James White mentions Dr. Hoge in a letter to his father-in-law Colonel Reid, on February 17, 1862 (Turner, 93). Dr. Hoge was also featured in an article in the Republican Vindicator, October 20, 1863, telling of his safe return from England through the blockading ships. See the "Valley of the Shadow" newspaper index (http://cti.itc.Virginia.EDU/~ela/newsnews.html).

The Staunton Spectator ran an article on the Reverend Mr. Lacy on November 17, 1863. Reverend Lacy had spoken about the religious revival among the Confederate soldiers, attributing it to General Stonewall Jackson's influence. See the "Valley of the Shadow" newspaper index (http://cti.itc.Virginia.EDU/~ela/newsnews.html). Bean mentions that a religious revival swept through the Army of Northern Virginia during the Spring of 1863 (135).

James B. Culton was elected Third Lieutenant upon his enlistement in the 4th VA, Co. I in April of 1862. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on August 30, 1862; however, as Andrew indicates, he resigned on March 16, 1863 (Robertson, Fourth Virginia Infantry, 47).

Mary Susan Brooks (1841-1915) was the Brooks brother's sister. See Andrew's letter, January 23, 1861 and William's letter, July 8, 1861.

Captain James A. Dold (1838-1864) enlisted in the 52 VA, Co. H in 1861 as a Second Sergeant. Advancing rapidly through the ranks, Dold was eventually elected captain on December 19, 1863. He was killed in action at Bethesda on May 30, 1864. In the present letter, Andrew may refer to Dold's leave of February, 1863 (Driver, 108). James's father was Addison Dold, who is listed in the 1860 census as a farmer. He may or not be the "Dr. Dold" whom Andrew mentions.