My Dear Sister:
After a
journey unmarked save
by the ordinary incidents
of travel I was landed
here yesterday morning by
the Winchester train at
the usual hour of ^ ‘it’s arrival’ 11 O’clock.
As soon as I had been
able to rescue myself
from the mess [?] of dust in
which I was enveloped, and
had refreshed myself at
the “Wager House” I set out
for Genl. Johnstons head-quar-
ters in the Village of Bolivar
about a mile distant, and
[page 2]
arrived there, reported myself
for orders. From there
I was ordered to repair
to Col. Jackson’s quart
the Commandant of the
Virginia forces stationed
here, and await his
bidding. This officer
has attached me to
the 6th Regiment of Infant-
ry, Col. W. W. Gordon, and
to act as drill mas-
ter, and perform such
duties as the Col. may
assign me, and I shall
go into service tomorrow.
For the present I am
staying at the “Wager House”
the only Hotel in the city
(and a very poor one too
I assure you), but a
[page 3]
gentleman (whose name I
Cannot now recall) has
kindly invited me to make
his home my home, and
I have promised to sup
with him to night and
may accept the invita-
tion ^ ‘to become his guest.’ His house stands
in a very prominent posi-
tion in the town and its
surroundings have every
indication of gentility, and
refinement. Several officers
apparently of high rank
are at present partaking
of this gentleman’s hospitality,
and I should judge from
appearances that he was
a man ^ ‘of’ high social position.
Our acquaintance was what
is vulgarly termed “scraped”
[page 4]
and why he should have invited
me to remain at his home I
Cannot say.
The Scenery adjacent to, and
immediately at this place is
well worthy of its far famed
reputation. The train from
Winchester approaches ^ ‘the Ferry’ on
the left bank of the Shenandoah,
and the view presented from
the R.road is one of the most
grand I have ever seen.
Harpers Ferry proper lies on
the neck included between the
Potomac, & Shenandoah, and near
that point where it narrows
at the Coatlition of the two
streams. The prospect from
our Hotel is not totally unlike
the Scenery near Lynchburg.
The House itself is situated on
the Potomac bank as the Lancaster
on the James in Lynchburg, and
across the river Corresponding
[page 5]
they will find a powerful
Enemy to dispute every inch
of ground with them.
Hoping to hear from you
whenever more serious duties
do not employ your time
I will close.
Receive my dear Father
my warmest thanks for
the continual acts of
kindness, and liberality to-
ward me, and the assurance
that I shall endeavor
to show by m in some
enduring form my appreciation.
Give my best love to
Ma and believe me
Your devoted Son
Jno. W. Daniel.
1st Lieutenant John Warwick Daniel, 1842-1910, Co. C. 27th Virginia and later Co. C. 11th Virginia Infantry, attained the rank of major before being permanently disabled in the Battle of the Wilderness. Studied law at the University of Virginia, entered politics and served in the Virginia House of Delegates, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Called the “Lame Lion of Lynchburg” he was a noted orator who gave speeches on many memorial occasions and was especially known for his address on Robert E. Lee
W.W. Gordon was William Westmoreland Gordon, was a University of Virginia graduate and V.M.I. professor.
MSS 158
