1861 May 31 Charlottesville [Virginia]

Hd Qrs Camp Jefferson

Col P St Geo Cocke
Sir
Yours of this mornings date
came duly to hand, and contents noted,
the requisitions I sent to Richmond were not answered
in full, they sent only the Muskets (Flint Locks) and
Ammunition, I refer you to my letter of the 29th for
particulars about accoutrements, I have two parties
now making estimates for Tents & Knapsacks, will
report so soon as I close with them,

The Tents for the Montgomery Guard (Capt Taylor) will
be completed by Monday morning next, Those for
Capt Rea perhapse by the middle of the week, then
tents will be furnished the companies by the county,
Capt Taliaferros (Amherst Company) Tents I hope to have
made by the middle of next week also. We are
badly off for accoutrements, and I learn that there
are none to be had in Richmond.

I have managed my affairs here with as much economy
as possible, Having many friends here, I had all
of the Straw I have used given to me, up to the
first of this week when I had to purchase two loads,
Quarters so far have cost me nothing, I have had
the use of the old Methodist church without charge,
(where the Montgomery Guard are quartered) The old Mudwall
house, and both ranges at the University were
tendered me upon application (but I have only used one as yet)

(page 2)
Those who were sick enough to require nursing, were
taken in at the Infirmary at the University, some others
I had to board at a boarding house for a short time,
So soon as the Tents are completed, the companies
now here will be ready to move (except they will have
no accoutrements) I keep up the squad drill five hours
each day, and Dress Parade every evening, the most
of the men now here are raw recruits, and will
require a good deal of drilling before they can be
efficient, Will write you again tomorrow or the next
day and report all particulars,

Can you tell me any thing about the reported arrival
of improved arms at Lynchburg?

Respectfully Your Obt Servt
Wm H Fry
Lt Col Comdg & Mustering officer

1861 May 31

[The letter written by a member of the family of Edward T.H. Warren continues]

Friday morning 8 o’clock The first [?] is a soldier at our wood pile
He sent his respects, would return the wood. Right before my window
is their fire where they are cooking their breakfast, poor things.
I wish I could do it for them. My woman was washing for them
all day yesterday.

10 o clock I have just gotten the yarn
carpet up of the dining room and laid down the
straw matting gotten all swept nicely when Mr. Francis
Miss Lizzie’s brother came in. He was glad to speak to a
woman the first time for 4 weeks and to get some washing
done. I told him how glad I was to be able to help them
and am in my element now plenty to do for the needy.
One poor fellow Mr. Davidson a very nice young man was
at the pump washing some clothes setting flat on the ground
a nephew of the Rogers’ Sinah went out and offered to do
it for hm he would not accept now but will be glad to have
her help in a day or two and pay her well. I spoke to him
and was glad to find an acquaintance.

At day light this morning your Pa heard a soldier call his
name he hurried[?] out expecting it might be one of Lincoln’s
men but was relieved to find it our man of the wood.

I am going now to make bread for them while Sinah washes.
I am so glad I have every thing done so she will have leasure
to wait on them.

[letter will continue the following day]

MSS 7786-l

1861 May 30 Hopewell [Alabama]

my Dear Master

I wrote to you the first of May
and hope that my letter has been
received. I was sorry to hear that
you were not very well but I
hope that by this time you are
rrestored to your usual health.
The crops I think are in very good
order. The cotton that I have seen
looks very well. We have our
Potato patch more than half planted
the plants are all leaving [leafing?] and looks
very well. the garden is looking
better than it did a week or two
ago. we will have a plenty of
Tomatoes after a while. we
have at this time Peas Snapps
Cabbage Squash, and will soon have
cucmbers. Mr. Powell thinks that
Samesone [?] would make a better
gardner than Etter. he will

[page 2]
decide when he comes here again
which will be the 4th of June.
we got a letter from him to day
he was well. the people here
and at New Hope are well.
the woman that has been
sick so long is now nearly well.
Mrs Avery was very sick a few
days ago but is now better.
Mrs Joe Bunden also has a very sick
child. I have not seen Capt Cocke
since you went away he stays up
here but a very little. I am
geting along with my house business
very well. The people have all
got their Summer Clothes boath
here and at New hope. The weather
at this time is very warm. Two weeks
agao it was cool enough to keep
a fire all day. we are now haveing
a fine Shower of rain. we have not
had any rain before for three weeks.

[page 3]
we have preaching regularly
at the Chapel. I send you a piece
that Mr Brame [?] has had published
in the Religious. Herald. about
this plantation, thinking that
you may not have seen it.
he made a little mistake in
the number of people, but
that makes but little difference
I am glad to see that he thinks
much of us. Mr S Powell
is well and desires to be
remembered to you. nothing
more from your servant
Luch Skipwith
PS May [she meant June] the 4th
my letter has been in the office a day
or two and it is sent back to me to
be paid for with money. I have
your letter dated May the 27th

I feels submissive to the will of God concerning
my brother.

Lucy Skipwith

MSS 640

1861 May 30 Harpers Ferry

My Dear Pa,
As tomorrow is the last
day that I can send a letter for three cents
I will write, although I just wrote to Joe
by this morning’s mail. Dr. Barret arriv=
ed today bringing yr letter to me. I was
very glad to hear from all of you again
& to hear that you were all well. The bitter
& expectorant also came to hand for whi^’ch’
I am very much obliged. I got a paper
through mail besides the one that Dr. B.
brought. I as well as the most of the Boys
enjoy reading the papers you send me
very much. We were very much surpris-
ed to see Dr. B. back here again.

I heard of some recruits that we wd
have this week, that I do n’t think will
be of any benefit to our B, I don’t reckon
they ^ ‘all of them’ will be received, I for one will vote
against some of them… I’ve Just come

[page 2]
in from drill, I get very tired drilling some=
times, we drill a great deal & when our drill
master gets out on the field he does n’t know
when to let us off. It is right warm
now, we’ve had very good weather all the
week, had ^ ‘been’ right warm weather. Our uniform
is very hot now, I go in my shirt sleevs.
nearly all the time… I’ve not made Col Hill’s
acquain^’t’ance yet, will do so the first opportu=
nity I have, which I reckon will be soon.

The 3rd Regiment has been ordered away
from this place, to Manassas Junction I
think, I do n’t believe they’ve left yet.
I’ve heard nothing more of ^ ‘our’ leaving, do n’t
reckon we’ll leave directly unless there
is a fight & ^ ‘then’ our services will be needed,
if they have a fight at Manassa[s] I reckon
we will certainly take a part in it, if we
can get there in time. I do n’t think a at=
tack on Harper’s Ferry is expected now atall,
but everything is held in readiness in
case that an attack is made. We wd give
the Yankees a very hard fight here.

[page 3]
Chas. Jones has organized his company
at last has he? And it was about to break
up the last I heard from it. I hope he may
be drafted in the malitia. I’m very glad
Joe told him about his name being read
out everyday as a deserter; he has a minnie
musket & cap in his possession that belongs
to our Co which we wd like very much to get.
I do n’t think Cha. Jones ought to blame
Cap. Murray so much, for Cap. M try^’ied’ to make
an excuse for him by telling Col Hill that he
had gone home to raise a Co. Col Hill said it made
no difference even if he was a Cap, that he has
no right to leave & he sh’d be brought back.

I saw Cousine Will Jones yesterday, he expects
to go home on a furlough next week or week
after, he’s very anxious to see his wife.

Two at a time from a Co can get furloughs
for a short time now by paying his ^ ‘their’ own
expenses, I have no idea of trying to get
off myself as long as you are all well.
I do n’t expect to get home u^’n’till I’ve served
my time out, unless I sh’d be stationed

[page 4]
stationed somewhere near home. I wish
Pen was here with me, hope he will join
our Co as soon as the session closes. I expected
Cit Wallthall [Christopher J.] over here at one time but have given
him out now, my love to him & tell him he
must write to me. I wd be fixed if I had
Pen & Cit with me & Joe back here again.
It is getting late so I must bring my letter
to a close, it is now after supper. You must
excuse all imperfections. I know I’ve sent Letters
home that I wd be ashamed of if I cd see them now
for I do n’t always have time to look over them &
have to write in a great hurry & on gr amidst
great confusion &c but you know how I am
situated & will excuse me. My best love to
all at home, black & white & all my frien^’ds’
I am as well as I ever was in my life.
I must bid you good night. Yr devoted
& most affectionate son
P.S. P.E. Jones
How many teeth has the Baby
got? A mouth full I reckon. Can she set
alone yet? I want to see her very bad.
Ed

[The following is written in the top margin on page one.]
Henry, C. & Dock are very well. They send
their love. All of our sick ones are nearly well-
Tell Mr Carroll that Virg^’il’ [Virgil Carroll] is nearly well of the
mumps. Cap Murray commenced ha[v]ing
services last night, says he intends having
them every night. Tell Jim he must write
again soon. I will write before very long again.
You must not expect so many letters from
me hereafter Ed

[1861 May 30]

Letter begun my a member of the family of Edward T. H. Warren on May 26 resumes at this point.

Thursday
Our ctizens are fleeing from their homes to escape
capture and being forced to swear allegiance to the Federal
government. Our next door neighbor went off into the state
with the records of the county and General Washingtons will
which they had kept here at the Court House. I have just been
to see his wife, she is very low spirited, but wants him to
stay away to avoid capture. Thousands of our troops are
within a half dozen miles of us, and they say will soon try
to retake Alexandria, though I do hope they will not
attempt it as it would require such a sacrifice of life
I am packing all things I do not need so as to be ready to
go to Middleburg if necessary.

Thursday night
A company
of soldiers have taken quarters in our church just
before our door. Every lady flyng from Alexandria

letter will continue on Friday morning

MSS 7786-l

1861 May 29 Charlottesville [Virginia[

Head Qrs Camp Jefferson

Col P St Geo Cocke
Commanding Camp Henry
Culpeper CH Va
Sir
Your Telegram
was received last evening, and Capt Ellis company
forwarded this morning according to order,
The Arms and Ammunition for requisitions (per copy
sent you) made on Richmond came to hand today,
but no accoutrements, the Flint Muskets were sent,
those intended for Capt Ellis I will turn over to
Capt Taliaferro, the latter named company are just
such material as the former, except as a general thing,
the men are a little larger in size. I understood
today that there would be one or two more companies
from Amherst to come in, Lieut Cooke acccompanied
Lieut Otey today to Nelson county.

Your letter was handed me this morning; Capt
Taliaferro does not think the Rifles could be procured
in his county, I have been to all the Saddlers in
the town, all of them are occupied making Harness &c
for the State, and I cannot have the Cartridge Boxes,
or Scabbards made here, Most of the companies

[page 2]
are supplied with Cantines–Knapsacks, it is possible
I can have made here, am to have a reply on
tomorrow if it can be done, Tents and Uniforms
are now being made by the ladies for the Montgomery
guard (Capt Taylor) and it is exceedingly doubtful
whether any others could be made shortly, even if
the material can be had. Haversacks I will
try to have made by the ladies, shoes are
not to be had here at this time, but in this
particular I think most of the men now here are
supplied, or they are in the hands of the workmen,
I received a few Camp Kettles and Mess Pans from
Richmond on yesterday, enough for present demand,
but they are mostly of small size,

I sent the Muster Roll of Cap Ellis company
down this morning but had not time to send
(as I did in the other cases) returns of the company
on the other side you will find it,
The companies shall be all held ready subject
to orders, Could not Tents and Accoutrements
be obtained for them from Richmond?
Most Respectfully Your Most
Obt Servant
Wm H Fry
Lt Col Comdg

[page 3]
Return of Capt Jno T Ellis company “The Southern
Rights Guard” from Amherst CH Va. Mustered
into the service of the State of Virgnia on the 24th May 1861.

Camp Jefferson
Charlottesville
Va

Captains 1
Lieutenants 3
Seargeants 4
Corporals 4
Privates 69
Total 77
Aggregate 81

“Total” refers to the number of men and non-commissioned officers. “Aggregate” adds in the four commissioned officers, 3 lieutenants and a captain.

MSS 640

1861 May 28 Richmond [Virginia]

Quarter Mastr General’s Office
Virginia Forces

Sir

Yours of 26th for actg Asst Commissary Thomas
this moment to hand. I have sent you all the articles named
in your letter that we have had on hand or that it is possible
too purchase.
Tents pins and flies are exhausted at present but
am making them up as rapidly as possible. Cartridge boxes
Percussion Cap boxes, Scabbards, belts, plates and all other articles
of ordnance stores are supplied by the ordnance depts to whom
your requisition should have been made. Flags, Guidons, Drums
& fife cannot be had in this state. Bed Sacks are prohibited by
the Commdg Genl.
Very Respectfully
Yr. Obt Sert
H Heth
Lt. Col & A Q M Genl.

to Col. P.S.Geo Cocke
Culpepper

Henry Heth, 1825-1899, a career army officer, was serving as Robert E.Lee’s quartermaster at the time this letter was written. After this brief stint he served in western Virginia and Kentucky before returning to the eastern theater in 1863. He inadvertantly made history a few months later by sending two reconnaissance brigades into Gettysburg, precipitating the pivotal battle there.
MSS 640

1861 May 28

Genl Cocke
dear Sir,

Freel was
the name of the lady who
was to die if there were no
fight–

Respy
R. S. Ewell


Richard S. Ewell, 1817-1872, known as “Old Baldy” was a career army officer who resigned when his home state of Virginia seceded and joined the Confederate forces. Three days after this letter was written, in a skirmish at Fairfax Court House he would become one of the first senior officers wounded in the war. He fought well throughout the war under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee but his reputation suffered after he refused to take Cemetery Hill in the battle of Gettysburg on July 1 1863 when given “discretionary” orders by Lee. Ewell’s failure to take the high ground led to 150 years of speculation by “Lost Cause” adherents on whether or not Stonewall Jackson would have done so and won the battle for the south.

MSS 640

1861 May 28

[ letter by unknown member of the family of Edward T.H. Warren begun on May 26 continues]

We have had such exciting times. The Federal troops are ex-
pected every moment. Very often it has been announced that
they were here while we feel we have no force to resist
Many have left town. Robt took Anne and Ginnie this
morning to Middleburg. It was thought unsafe for them
I have been all day packing up any and all articals of clothing
which we will not need before we move.Troops are
coming in and we shall have a battle here soon, and O the
consequences! I shrink from the picture of bleeding sufferers
on both sides. I would rather see than run.

[letter pauses here and will resume on May 30]

MSS 7786-l

Thursday morn^’ing’

My dear Sister,

I’ll add ^’write’ a little more this

mor^’n’ing as I have a little time. It is a very fine

day but it may be raining before as the weather is

so very changeable here…. Well Joe & Mr Bickers have

gotten off at last. I’m very sorry to part with them

but am glad they got off. It makes me feel like going

home myself to think of their going home, but I can be

satisfied & contented without them as I have so many

warm friends here…I’ve felt worse to day & yesterd^’ay’

than I have since I’ve been here, had the head ache &

[page 3]

a sick stomach yesterday, but I’m a good deal better

this morning & think by resting to day I’ll be well soon,

nearly every one of verour men have had bilious attacks.

There has been good deal of mumps & measles about here.

I will be very much obliged to you for the Bakers kitten

you spoke of sending me, you may have an opportunity

of sending it by Wm Barret, [Willian C.] who is expected here soon.

Pa can find out when he will start. I send my

daguerrotype by Dr Barret, it is not a very good like-

ness I think, you will see it is right black around

the mouth, that is whiskers, I’ve n’t shaved since

I’ve been here, but I must shave soon as Dr. Hall

says a soldier must not allow his beard to grow

longer than four inches….I wd be very glad to see

Bro. John over here next week, it wd be ^’a’ very nice trip

for him, he cd go to Mr Southans from here very

conveniently, for it is n’t but twelve miles.

We had se[r]vices in our quarters last night.

Cousine Dock sends love to all, says you must not

be uneasy about me, for he will take good care of me

& bring me home safely.

My best love to all

Yr fond Bro.

P.E. Jones

[On page four he writes, “In great haste”.]