Dearest one–

Nothing new to
write. I received the pistol
sent by Bro R. yesterday–
& was highly gratified at his
thoughtfulness. I shall be happy
to use it till he wants it.
If mine arrive from Kansas-
(the two small ones) tell him
to kee them till I return–
No news yet of the horses
Kisses to the dear ones-
I go in a moment to squadron
drill
Most affectionately
J.E.b. Stuart

MSS 11576

Flora Cooke Stuart was the daughter of Philip St. George Cooke, a U.S. Cavalry officer and native Virginian who remained loyal to the Union. J.E.B. Stuart had officially resigned from the U.S. Army four days previously on May 14.
See J.E.B.’s letter written from Fort Wise, Kansas Territory, 1861 January 11, on his reasons for staying with the South.

MSS 11576

Col Sam Jones
Sir
Yours of the 10th inst enclo
sing note from Capt J Shac Green
did not reach ^’me’ until this evening
too late to advise Capt Green of
my willingness to muster his com
pany into service on to-morrow.

I have written to him notify
-ing him that I will muster his
company into service on Mon-
-day next..

Many of the privates in com
panies here have refused to take
the oath prescribed by art 10 of
the articles of war. Various reasons
are assigned by them. A notion pre
vails that it does not apply to the
voluntary forces, & on this point in
order to avoid difficulty I have ask
ed instructions of Genl Cocke,

I am very respectfully
your obdt servt
George Wm Brent
Maj Va Forces

George William Brent, 1821-1872, University of Viginia alumnus and Fauquier County lawyer; Delegate to the Virginia Secession Convention (voted “nay”). Later Colonel and A.A.G. to both Beauregard and Bragg.

Samuel Jones, 1819-1887, graduated from West Point and saw service in the Mexican War. Chief of Artillery to Beauregard at 1st Mannassas. To Major General in 1862. Served in both the Department of Western Virginia and the Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

John Shackelford Green, 1817-1891, a Rappahannock County farmer, was captain of the Co. B., 6th Virginia Cavalry. Rose to Lt. Colonel.

Dear Creek
Your welcome letter of the 16th inst. came to hand
in due time. I am happy to learn that you are all in
the enjoyment of good health you say you was disapointed
when Dugan came home without a letter from me his
coming was all that kept me from writing as I thought
he could give you all the news, as to my getting home
is a very doubtful case, and much as I desire to come
yet I have a duty to perform which could not well be
divided at present without neglecting the interests and
welfare of my company. we are drilling the men very
hard at present, and until they are more perfect in the
exercises I do not think it my duty to leave them.
But you may depend that I will be home to see you
as soon as an opportunity offers, another reason is
that we are daily expecting the order to march to
march to Aiken and it would not suit well for me
to be absent at that time.

You need not give yourself any trouble about the
danger of Alawine hurting any of us we have a very
summery way of disposing of such characters here
he was tried by a Court Martial yesterday but the
sentence of the Court has not been disclosed.
James Whitner was promoted to Major of the
Regiment yesterday the promotion gives great satisfaction

[page 2]
to the men of the Regt. it is a very important matter
to have officers of the proper stamp for our leaders and
we all think there could not have been a better selection
made.

Their is nothing of interest transpiring in the city just
now the weather is very hot and every one disposed to
keep in doors as much as possible, the 4th Regt is
getting a fine name here for good behaviour which
is gratifying to all of us. rumour had it that small
pox had broke out in our camp a few days ago, but
it is all a mistake, nothing of the kind having occured.
I sent your pin by A. C. Wardlaw which I hope you
recieved all right, and I expect he has also given you all
the news.

I have had the Tri weekly Carolinian sent to Belton
adressed to me, for your use the first one will come
on Tuesday first the 14th inst I have subscribed for it six
months so you may have an opportunity of seeing
all the news.

I wish I had little Maggie to help me write some
you dont know how much good it did me to see
her little scrawls, tell her to come with you to the
camp at Aiken and stay with me a week or two Jink
can bring you in the Buggy. But I must close this
hurried scrall, give my love to all of our relations tell them
I will be among them as soon as possible. Kiss maggie for
me and teach her to pray for papa. I will write Jink in a
day or two. Your ever affectionate

William [Anderson]

MSS 10366

Regimental Order No. 1
Head Quarters, 50th Regiment, M.M.,

To the Commandants of the several volunteer companies attached to the 50th Regiment, M.M.:

In pursuance of the above order of his Excellency, Thomas Holliday Hicks, Governor of the State of Maryland, Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces of said State, commanding me to call out the 50th Regiment, M.M.; you are hereby required to report yourselves to me forthwith, with the number of effective men in your several companies; and if that number be less than seventy-eight in any company, the commandant is here-by required to fill up such company to that complement, and as this Regiment is not full, persons wishing to volunteer under the above order will be received by companies and mustered into the service under the above general order.
In issuing this Regimental order, I will state that this Regiment will not be ordered to serve beyond the limits of Maryland, unless in defence of the National Capital, and it is not for you or me to consider the purpose or what particular duty we may be called upon to perform. The Constitution makes the Governor the Commander-in-Chief of the Military Forces of the State; he has ordered this regiment into active service, and as faithful officers and honorable men we are bound to respond promptly to his call.
J. Philip Roman
Col. commanding 50th Reg’t. M.M.

Regimental Order No. 2.
Heaqd Quarters, 50th Regiment, M.M.,
Cumberland, May 17, 1861

All persons except those belonging to volunteer companies regularly organized under the laws of the Sate and attached to this Regiment, in Allegany county having in their possession any Muskets, Rifles, or other arms, or other military accoutrements or camp equipments belonging to the State of Maryland, are hereby notified forthwith to deliver up the same to either of the parties hereinafter named and appointed to receive them, as may be most convenient.
Any neglect to comply with this requisition will compel me to have recourse to the stringent remedy provided by the law of this State for the reclamation of arms.
Such arms, accoutrements or equipments may be delivered to either James J. McHenry, Quartermaster, Cumberland; Frank A. Mason, Adjutant, Frostburg; Capt. Truman West, Accident; William Shaw, Barton.
J. Philip Roman
Col. Commanding 50the Reg’t M.M.

Col. Garland,
Dear Sir,
Understanding that my company
now forms a part of Co. Terretts command, I desire
to urge earnestly that the portion of my battery
now at Culpeper C.H. e ordered to rejoin me
at this place. I am induced to make
this request for the obvious reason that sepa-
rated as they are I have no means of
properly disciplining or instructing either those
with me or the detachment at Culpeper C.H.
My men at the latter place are, I learn,
anxious to rejoin me as their commander,
a feeling which you can appreciate.

Very resptly &c
D[elaware] Kemper
Capt. Artillery 2nd Regt.

Col. [Philip St. George] Cocke
Dear Sir
this note being handed to me by Capt. Kem-
per, should perhaps be forwarded to Col. Terrett
at Alexandria–but to save time, and being of
opinion that the guns are urgently needed here,
I take the liberty of enclosing it direct, with
the hope, that any military propriety violated
will be overlooked–

Most truly
Saml. Garland Jr.
Col. Commdg.

Delaware Kemper, a University of Virginia alumnus, rose to artillery colonel by March of 1863. Severely wounded at 2nd Bull Run he spent the remainder of the war in the Dept. of S.C., Ga., and Fla. under Beauregard.

Samuel Garland, a University of Virginia law alumnus was commissioned Colonel of the 11th Virginia Infantry and fought at First Manassas, Dranesville, and Williamsburg where he was severely wounded. Promoted brigadier in May of 1862, he commanded a brigade under D. H. Hill at Seven Pines, Seven Days and Second Manassas. Killed in action September 14, 1862, defending Fox’s Gap in the Battle of South Mountain.

Head Quarters
To Genl. P. St. G. Cocke
Commanding

Sir
I had the honor to receive your letter of
the 11th inst. on the 12th and have attempted to
answer it but have thus far failed in consequence
of the pressure of business.

I have to regret my inability to send Capt
Walker’s Battery of Rifled guns to Dumfries, as
that is the only battery I have, and that not yet
supplied with horses, or prepared for the field
in any respect.

On the 14th inst. I was obliged to take this
batery to Acquia Creek landing, for the protec-
tion of the “avenue of approach” to this city–

I have been obliged to make the same dis-
position of most of my available forces, so that
I am unable to send out of my district unless I
make a requisition for more force, especially as
I shall soon be obliged to send Col. Carey and his
command back to Richmond.

The day before receiving your instructions
I had sent Captain Thornton, with his company
of Prince William Cavalry, back to his county
with orders to report to Col. Terrett, so that he

[page 2]
was then available. Under the circumstances
I trust that you will hold me exonerated for
for non compliance with your instructions,
and especially as orders were issued of the same
date with your letter making very material chan-
ges along the whole line

I shall endeavor to keep up communi-
-cation with you and Col. Terrett respecting
every material event coming to my knowledge

Very Respectfully
Your mo. Obt Svt
Daniel Ruggles
Colonel Prov. Army
Commanding Forces

Daniel Ruggles, a veteran of the Seminole and Mexican wars resigned from the U.S. Army on May 1, 1861, to take up a Virginia command. In August he was sent to the western theater and led a division under Bragg. Ulysses Grant thought little of his abilities purportedly once remarking “If Ruggles is in command…now is the time to attack.” After 1862 he was assigned administrative positions ending as commissary general of prisoners. Resided in Fredericksburg, Va., after the war until his death in 1897.

MSS 640

Dear John [Bowdoin Cocke],

I have felt very much
depressed since reading the letters of some
of the best friends I have in the wars–
Sometimes I think it would be well, if
nobody cared for us–then no matter
what became of us, we’d know that we
left none behind to mourn our fate.
Without any apparent cause, I have
felt for the last three or four hours, as
if there were a heavy weight on my
heart. I’m afraid the feeling is an
ominous one. Would to God, that we were
prepared to meet our fate, if it should be
the will of Him who guides the destiny
of us all–that it should be a dire one.
We had quite a fine dress parade this
evening–your humble servant superintended.
The band we have discourses excellent
music. After the parade had been gone
through with, I read (prefacing the

[page 2]
same with a few remarks) your father’s address
to the soldiers–I learn from the adjutant that
they were much pleased with it. I’m kindly
obliged to you and your father for your respective
offers–I don’t know that I shall have
any immediate necessity for any money–if so, I
shall call on you. I shall never forget the
kindness of your father. Those fellows in
Richmond may play the devil with him, but
the lower they try to put him, the higher he’ll
rise in my estimation. You were right about
that letter being from Miss Jennie Hobson–
when I see you I’ll tell you some of the
things she said–by the by she sent her
love to you and Joe–when you see Joe
deliver the same and tell him I’m sorry
to hear he is blooming–hope he’ll get it
over it soon. respoect to all of the boys–Did
John Abbey get his Capn? Was very glad to hear
from Charles Grundy, will write him as soon
as I get time. Strange he didn’t mention
Bob Taylor, do you know what’s become
of him”? When you write home remember me

[page 3]
to them all. I feel very keenly for Miss Lou
now that Dick is away–I suppose she’ll
return to Belmead shortly–Present me to her
when you write and to Dick also. We may be
attacked here at any moment–I only pray
to God that the opposing forces may be
somewhat equalized. I don’t know why it is,
but I feel that the hour is not far
distant when Alexandria, will be in the
possession of the federal troops. May
God avert the storm that would follow such
an undertaking. I hope that you will
not share the feelings I’m possessed with
tonight–for they are anything but enviable.
I now close–it is 10 P.M. and I have
not touched my “daily report.” Remember
me to all at Hd Qrs–For the present
Goodbye–From your sincere friend
Giles B. Cooke.

Giles Buckner Cooke of Portsmouth, Va., served successively as A.A.G. to Philip St. George Cocke, Braxton Bragg, Pierre G. T. Beauregard, and Robert E. Lee. Despite his expressed pessimism he survived the war though was wounded in action at Saylors/Sailors Creek. After the war he became an Episcopal minister and principal of one of the first public schools for black children. He was the last surviving officer on Lee’s staff dying in 1937 at the age of 99.

See the posting of 1861 May 3 for the address of Philip St. George Cocke which Buckner read to the troops.

MSS 640

My Dear Wife

I was in receipt of
your welcome letter last evening and
should have answered it last night
but the “Skeeters did bite”

The news reached us to-night
that our regiment was to be disb-
anded. If this be true (and I believe
there is no doubt of the matter) I
will be home sooner that I expected
say two weeks. I expect there will
be another call for volunteers for
the war. I cannot say what I will
do until I come home. A number
of the boys are very anxious that I
should take charge of a company
to go to Virginia or any other point

You need not however think anything of it
until I come home. By the way Macfie
has just come in and tells me that
we are not to be disbanded, but are
to be sent home to await orders,
our pay still going on as if we were
in service. Yet we have recently heard so
many rumors concerning our removal
that we don’t know what is true.

There is still much disaffection existing
in camp. I mean in our company.
I expected that things would go on
better, but not much change
has taken place in the conduct of
our officers

Speaking of our Linda
you must certainly get her clothing
if she needs it. I will try and
sell her when I come up.

There is noth
ing very special to communicate.

The Niagara
is supposed to have gone to New-
Orleans. As it is quite late I
must close. Give much love to
all. Write soon. I will write
again tomorrow.

I am your affectionate
Husband

The mosquitoes are about to
eat me up. Tell Nett I
will get the music.
I send you the Parole and
Countersign

James Monroe Phinney to his wife Mary Naylor Chandler Phinney. Phinney was a Confederate officer from Winnsboro, S. C., in the Boyce Guards Militia and the 6th Infantry Regiment. Killed in action at Fair Oaks, Virginia, in 1862.

The U.S.S. Niagara, already noted for laying of the first trans-Atlantic cable and returning Africans liberated from the slave ship Echo to Liberia, was one of the Union vessels blockading the Charleston harbor. Four days prior to Phinney’s letter she captured the blockade runner General Parkhill. Her departure, noted by Phinney, was not for New Orleans, but Mobile Bay where she remained for the summer.

MSS 12661

Dear General

I delivered your dispatches
to the Governor and to General Lee immedi-
-ately on my arrival; yesterday I reported
at General Lee’s Head Quaraters-when he sent
for me into his room, and after reading to me
his last communication to you, expressed
great regret that you should for a moment
be under the impression, that he had anything
whatever to do, with the change of your
former “Status”; on the contrary, I am persuaded
that he is sincerely anxious as far as it lies
in his power, to serve you in every way–
if I understand the case, the change in
your position, is the legitimate result of
the action of the Convention, in limiting
the no of Generals & Brigadiers–and it does
appear to me, that once satisfied that no injus-
tice was intended, you ought to congratulate
yourself on the change, as releiving you from
an immense burthen of responsibility and
from a position where it would be utterly

[page 2]
impossible for a Caesar or a
Bonaparte to meet the public
expectations with the inadequate
means then at your command.

My application for a commission hangs
fire, and I am very doubtful of success-
and should I fail my cheif regret
my dear Genl will be the separation
from yourself–
very truly yours

F. G. Skinner

Genl Philip St Geo Cocke
Culpepper CH

Philip St. George Cocke had been appointed a brigadier in the Virginia state service and when the Virginia troops were transferred to the Confederacy was named a colonel in the Provisional Army. He commanded the 5th brigade of General Beauregard’s forces at 1st Bull Run and the following October was promoted to brigadier.

Frederick Gustavus Skinner, 1814-1894, was a Major in the 1st Virginia from May 1861 and was promoted to Lt. Col. November 18, 1861. Severely wounded at 2nd Bull Run he never returned to active duty.

MSS 640

TREASON IN VIRGINIA.

The Code of Virginia defines treason to be

“In levying war against the State,
adhering to its enemies, or giving
them aid and comfort.”

Such treason, if proved by two witnesses, is
punishable by death.

May 15, 1861.

Broadside 1861 .T743