26th June 1861
My dear little Nannie:
My almost constant engagement
since my last is (my scarcely acceptable excuse) for
not writing for three or four days owing which time
I have duly received yours of 22nd, 23rd & 25th instants
for which I must heartily thank you –
The Hat for which I tender 5000000000000
of thanks came to hand in due time but not soon
enough to prevent my face from becoming perfectly
brown from the effects of the sun – I wear it all
the time & think of my dear little wife every time
I see it – I weighed yesterday only two hundred
& five pounds; ^ ‘showing’ a falling off of above twenty one
pounds from which I feel & no doubt look vastly
better – I have enjoyed perfect health since I left
Richmond & believe that I will be vastly in
better health, when I am at home again, than
I ever before enjoyed –
I have been employed for four or five
days in mounting a part of the 24 thirty two
pounder guns (weighing from 4,500 lbs to 5000 lbs) on
the Batteries being established here & did not go
with my Company yesterday to Centreville (7 miles
nearer Alexandria), because I was detailed to con-
-tinue in that service at this place for sometime

[page 2]
what length of time I cannot say – I suppose how-
-ever that I will be here until the completion
of the work & it may be that I will be tendered
the command of one battery of three guns – I
feel quite lonely since my separation from the
Artillery Co although all the other Lynchburg
Companies are still here – The Batteries here are
under the “supervision of gentlemanly Navy Officers
one of whom gave me a tent near his own
which I occupy exclusively – If I find that I
am to be here for some time & I can possibly find
a nice place for her to stay in a mile or two
of the encampment I will write to my little Nan-
-nie authorizing her to come here if she wants
to – I very much fear that she will be more
lonely at Lynchburg than at Richmond but if
she wants to return to Richmond ^ ‘Lynchburg’ of course she
will do so – In the event you do go I hope
Mr. A & your Aunty will yield to your im-
-portunities & go with you –
I hope that “Jim” has called to see
you & that your opinion of him is not less
favorable than before – When you write
again please inform me as to where he may
be ordered –
“We are more quiet in this region
than we have been since our arrival & the
than we have been since our arrival & the
prospect now is that we will not have
another chance at the Lincolnites this side

[page 3]
of Alexandria – We must have it & in this
region from 35 000 to 40 000 troops against
whom it would be silly on the part of
Scott to march even with an hundred thou-
-sand of such cowardly hirelings as his men
have already shown themselves to be –
It is thought by some that
a blow, from us, to free Maryland, will soon
be made – I think it ought & will be made
at the earliest possible time –
Remember me kindly to all en-
-quiring friends at Richmond & Lynchburg
& believe me to be as I am.
Your worshiping
“Choctaw”

MSS 6682

My Dear Wife
Your welcome
letter is at hand, and I propose
to drop a few lines that you
may know of our good health
and sperits. There is nothing
of importance now going on
but we expect to be moved
from this point in ten days
or two weeks; to what point
we know not, probably to
Missouri or Virginia. I have
misplaced the memorandum
some where. Do send me
another one immediately and
add as many things as you
need. Put down soap as I
may forget it when I go to
buy. I expect to go to the city

soon. Tell Miss Jemima Tom is
quite hearty, and nothing but
laziness prevents him from
writing. Johnny is still well
satisfied, and performs his
duty as well as any man
in the Regiment.
Things are so
quiet here that there is hardly
anything to write of. Hoping
soon to hear from you and
to receive the memorandum
complete.
I remain
Your affte. Husband
J. M. Phinney
P.S. The day the boys left
here (those that came up the
day I left) the boys here were
in mourning with newspaper
on the left arm.

MSS 12661

My Dear Mother

I received your affectionate letter
yesterday and I hasten to reply to it as I know dear
Mother how lonely and desolate you must sometimes feel,
but cheer up, and always look on the bright side of life,
for I am sure you have reason to do so, as you must
be proud that the only two males of your immediate
family, besides your brother, and numerous nephews, are
at this moment boldly facing the cowardly set of
Northern Vandals who are seekiing to subgugate this
beautiful land of the South, and we will without doubt,
(protected as we are by the kind hand of Providence)
drive back and overwhelm this base and dastardly
set. What else could a patriotic Mother desire! What
would she have? Surely not, that while other noble and
chivalrous men are manfully battling for their firesides
and homes, that she could be contented to see her rela-
tiions staying at home, not as men, but as base and
cowardly wretches. no my mother such cannot be the wish
of any Virginia Mother. And Mother, I fully comprehend

[page 2]
what must be the feelings of sorrow, that agitate a
Mother’s bosom,when she sends forth to the battle her hus-
band and son, when she, proudly conscious of the noble
and patriotic example she displays, says to them, “Go–Your
Country needs you” “and I cannot say to you–stay”! I be-
lieve Mother that Angels hover arouind such a scene
as this, and will watch over and protect such a
family, though they be separated however far from
each other. Again I say, how proud and contented should
such a Mother be! protected by Angels, loved and admired
by all as an example worthy of emulation!–and my dear
and beloved Mother, I have but described your situation
and that of Aunt Mary, together with all the noble Vir-
ginia Mothers who have, like you both, sent forth their
husbands and sons, to protect all that is dear and
near to them So henceforth, from the day that Mr Page
left, you (although you must of course have moments of
anxiety, and perhaps, painful suspense, and now and then
a pleasant sorrow, when you do not hear from them as
often as you wish,) must always recollect that “no news
is good news” and that you must never look on the dark
side of life. Always think for the best, hope for the best and
the best will happen.

In regard to money matters, and my health dear

[page 3]
mother do not give your self any uneasiness what ever.
I had the plesure of receivign a “sight” note of $50 the
other day from Uncle Ben, for which I am truly grateful
so you see dear Mother that I am by no means in want
of money, and hope you will give yourself no uneasiness
about me; I wrote to him a few days ago thanking him kind-
ly for the interest which he and Aunt Sallie have always
shown in me, and for which I am truly grateful, and I
hope that time will show that his kindness was not mispla-
ced. As regards my health I have never been more healthy
in all my life, (and you know I have never been any
way delicate,) although poor and lean as “old moon” I
am nevertheless as healthy and hard as a rock.
Give my love to all of Aunt Mary’s family and kiss the
children for me, Kiss May Annie for me, and ask
her why she dont answer my letter, also to tell Kirk
he must protect you all very well as he is the only
boy left, and I suppose, he like every body else is crazy
to go to the wars too, but that he must remain and take
care of you all. what in the world has become of Sallie
May and all of Aunt Eliza’s family & I hope some of
them will “drop” me a line–And now dear Mother, always
look on the sunny side, and trusting that God may shield
and protect you from danger, I remain Your devoted Son
R. A. Camm
p.s.
I will write as often as possible.

Robert A. Camm, 1842-1892, was a midshipman in the U.S. Navy before resigning his postion to become a midshipman on the CSS Ellis. He lost his left arm in action at Roanoke Island in February 1862, but returned to service. He resided in Lynchburg, Virginia, after the war.
MSS 8937

Camp Caroline

Dear Creek

As I have an opportunity of sending
this to the office I avail myself of writing you,
as I wrote you before we left Richmond. we started
from there on Thursday evening last and reached
this place last night after having rode about
120 miles on R R and Marched thirty on foot.
I often wished I had old Charly when I was on the
March, but I stood it first rate, and most of the
men did. we are camped in a beautiful grove of
oaks and Hickorys near a small town called
Leesburgh about 30 miles from Manassas
Junction and within two miles of the Yankees
Camp on the Maryland side of the Potomac
river. now dont get scared because I am so
near the enemy they are too great cowards

[page 2]
to fight us and General Beauregard will not
let us cross the river to fight them so there is not
much chance of a fight yet a while. This is a beautiful
country and the finest water I ever tasted it is close
on the edge of the mountain and is very cool and
pleasant, the only draw back is there is no
regular mail as yet and it is only a chance to
get a letter off. we will soon have one established
and then there will be no further difficulty.

I should like to write you a long letter but I have not
time as the man who is to mail it is only a passer by
and cannot wait for it long. Capt. Brown and
myself have agreed to send our letters in one envelope
to Belton after this so if you get one there will be one
inside of it to Mrs Brown and if she get on there
will be one it it for you we will try and write you
every day if we can get them mailed and as often as
possible if not, Jim and Dugan are both well and like
it first rate, give my regards to all of our neighbors
and Kiss Little Maggie for me tell her I will bring
a pret[t]y when I get home, write me as often as possible
and believe me your ever affectionate
Bill

William Anderson was an officer in the 4th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers (Palmetto Sharpshooters)

MSS 10366

Genl Beauregard,

Sir

Having exhausted my other
means to procure tents for my company I have con-
cluded to write to you asking you for the sake of
humanity to do what you can for us. We have
been in service now for two months, and have made
requisition after requisition, and there is no more prob-
ability of getting them now than when we first entered
the service. It is true that while at Manassas
Junction and at Richmond we had a plank shelter
which was not much better than the open air.

Here we are lying upon the ground in the woods
with no shelter at all and with five or six men
just recovering from the measles. I dislike very
much to trouble you about this matter, but when I
know the fact that several companies have gotten tents
that have entered the service since we did, I can
not refrain from complaining to you of the injustice
done us. We have applied to the quarter-master of the
Regiment and he says he has applied to the general qua-
termaster but so far without success. It sees to me
that there is something strange in the fact that other

[page 2]
companies have procured tents that entered the service three
of [sic] four weeks ago while we who have been in the service two
months cannont get any now, although we have made almost
incessant application for them. If you find it im-
possible to get tents please make the quartermaster
send me plank to shelter us from the rain.

If you can get tents fifteen would be sufficient for
us. By doing anything to alleviate our sufferings
(for we will be suffering should it rain) you will
confer a great favor on us which we can never forget.

You can send tents or plank to Co. I. 18th Regt. V.V.
care of Col. Withers at Centreville.

Very Respectfully
your obedient Servt.
Felix H. Luck 2nd Lieut.
Co. I. 18the Regt. Va. Vols.

Felix A. Luck, 1842-1915, of Pittsylvania County, lived in Virginia and North Carolina after the war. University of Virginia alumnus, Colonel Robert Enoch Withers, 1821-1907, was disable by wounds and retired from the service. He was later editor of the Lynchburg Daily News, a Lt. Governor of Virginia, a U.S. Senator, and U. S. Consul at Hong Kong. In the last year of his life he published Autobiography of an Octogenarian. The 18th Virginia in which he served briefly as Colonel, was in many of the major engagements of the Civil War. Only 2 officers and 32 men were present to surrender at Appomattox.

MSS 640

Hd Qrs 5th Brigade

Lieut Col Jordan
A Adj Genl
Col
I would report to the Genl
Commanding in Chief [?] Department that my
own Regiment and that of Col Withers reached this
place in good time yesterday afternoon and have gone
into camp–occupying very near the same ground
occupied by the two regiments under Col Gregg
which proceeded us; the Battalion of Col Prestons
Regiment has also encamped in advance of this in
the Fairfax C Ho road three miles and almost
two & half or three miles in rear of Gen Bonham
at Germantown. Capt.Harris and myself went
forward of this battalion & [?] the ground for its
encampment. I go to-day to examine the [?] poor
position. I learn that the whole staff have moved off
from this post without making any communication
with myself or staff
vry rspty yr mst obt
Philip St Geo Cocke
Col. cpomg 5th Brig

Head Quarters Army of the Potomac

Special Orders
No 59

Extract

The following assignments are announced.

Capt. Bennett
Taylors company heretofore unattached is
assigned to Col Cocke’s command, the 19th
Regiment Virginia Volunteers, to whom
he will report with his command, without
delay

By order of Brig Genl Beauregard
(signed) Thomas Jordan
A A Adjt Genl

For Colonel Cocke

Bennett Taylor, 1836-1898, was a great great grandson of Thomas Jefferson. He was eventually Lt. Colonel of the 19th Virginia

MSS 640

Lieut J B Cocke

My dear John

If you can get at the tavern
accounts of Mrs. Payne do so and hand them to Mrs
Beckham & tell Mrs. B as accurately as you know or can
recollect how many days each of us was at the Hotel —
so that upon that datum the accounts can be examined
& settled–

Wm Otey & yourself and the two Companies will
come on up directly to Centreville to night–there being
fine moonlight–The Capts will make requisition on

[page 2]
the Qr Master for the necessary transportation–

You will put two of our horses to the wagon & bring
on our baggage tent &c I shall be at Centreville

Yr affc father

[Philip St. George Cocke’s name has been carefully cut out, perhaps for a post war autograph seeker]

MSS 640

My Dear Mother
I have just this
minute got & read yours & brother
Henry’s & Bessie’s letters–I never
was more delighted than when
our company returned from Head-
quarters & handed me the letter.
It is just two weeks since I
left Staunton & I had not
heard a word from home. Neither
of the letters written before the
one of the 18th have come to
hand. Dr Atkinson’s company is
at Laurel Hill near Phillippi
where the enemy are in greater
numbers– The roads to this place
& to Phillippi separate about
8 miles from here & I suppose
the number of Dr A’s company
has neglected to send my letters–
I don’t know what has become of
the one that was sent from
Staunton–I heard from there the
other day, but the letter had been

[page 2]
nearly a week on the road–&
came by private hands–I got
from the same source a box
filled with, cakes, pies, pickles
ham biscuit &c–it was really
a treat & is not all gone yet–
Our mess has been making use
of it–“In the first place & foremostly“
the news paper article which I
return is all a lie–We have
never retreated a step & never
will–Old Porterfield who caused
the stampede of our forces from
Phillippi two or three weeks ago is
has been Courtmarshalled & is
now undergoing his trial–it was
all his fault–but that is the
only instance of our men retreating
& they cd do nothing else then–
We are now in Tyggarts Valley
22 miles from Buckhannon where
the enemy was when we reached
this place–They have since re-
treated back towards Grafton or
else have sent their whole force
to Phillippi–We have here only
one regiment–900 men–At

[page 3]
Phillippi we have about 4000
troops & more are coming on
daily–A Georgia Regiment arrived
at Beverly today–Our men are
on Laurel Hill (near Phillippi) which
they have strongly fortified. the
Yankees are very good at theories
but can’t stand the sight of
bayonets–They are expecting a
battle daily at Phillippi–but if
they do have one the enemy will
have to be fooled into it–our men
are trying this ruse[?]–The enemy
tried it too the other day, but failed–
a Cavalry picket over there night
before last shot a picket of the
enemy across a fence, captured
his horse & presented it to Gen.
Garnett–all the officers and about
20 men from our company were
detailed night before last to go
with part of a Cavalry Company
to within about 10 miles of where
the enemy was supposed to be, to
try to capture some pickets &
spies who had been seen there–
We “pressed” horses & all the

[page 4]
saddles we could & reached
the appointed place about 11 o’clock–
We dismounted on this side of a
river, where we left the cavalry
& marching a mile thro’ the densest
forrest I ever saw, concealed our-
selves on the lower side of the
road–we had not been there very
long when we heard horses galloping
& our pickets passed at a full gallop.
This was the signal of the approach
of the enemy–We had orders not
to fire unless the enemy came in
large numbers–The men were consid-
erably disappointed when they saw
only 2 horsemen riding past–We
have our guns cocked & cd have
thrown into confusion & utterly routed
a thousand men–We let the two
pass & the cavalry stopped them–They
proved to be friends with a letter
informing us were we cd capture
a spy–We sent some cavalry-
men who took him & he is now
a prisoner at Beverly–We got
back about 4 o clock–went to sleep
on our horses several times–They
are fortifying this place as if they
certainly expected an attack, but
I dont think so–it is well enough
however to be prepared–We may
be here some weeks & we may
be ordered off at any time

[letter of Charles Daniel McCoy ends abruptly at this point]
McCoy was a member of the 25th Virginia Regiment. He refers in this letter to a skirmish June 3 1861 in which Col. George A. Porterfield’s sleeping raw recruits were surprised by two columns of Union soldiers and quickly fled. There were only a few casualties on both sides. This minor incident was played up in the Northern papers and helped establish a reputation for McClellan who had not even been with this troops in the action. Porterfield was relieved from command. Robert S. Garnett took command of the Confederate troops on the 15th. Porterfield lived until 1919, one of the last Mexican war veterans. Garnett, also a Mexican War veteran, was killed on July 13 in the retreat from the battle of Rich Mountain, the first general officer killed in the Civil War.

MSS 6830-a

J. B.Cocke
Asst ordnance officer
will deliver all cartridge boxes
& belts now on hand to Captain
Ellis to be brought forward for
the use of this regiment. You
will also send by the same
person Col Strange’s books & the
muster roll of the Piedmont
Guards.

By order
PSt Geo Cocke
Col Comdg
19th Regt Va Vol

——————————–
J. B. Cocke
Capts Ellis & Taliaferro
will proceed with their
companies to this place
as soon as transportation
can be procured. Waggons
will be furnished here.
Report to your regiment
at Centreville immediately
at which place they will
arrive at twelve (12)
M tomorrow
(By order)
PStGCocke
Col Comdg
19th Regt Va Vols.

Duplicate copy

12 M stands for 12 meridian or noon, a term still in use 150 years ago
————————————-

Lt. J B Cocke
Carry out Col Cocke’s
orders about the movements
of troops from Culpeper C.H.
to their head Quarters
(By order) Gen’l Beauregard
Thos Jordan
a a adjt Gen’l

Duplicate copy
——————————————
J B Cocke
adjt
Tell Ellis & Taliaferro
to being five (5) days
provisions with them
(By order)
PSt Gdo Cocke

G F Jones
act asst
AM
19th V rgt

640