My Dear Creek

As the men have all retired to rest for
the night and I have an opportunity of sending you
this by Col smith in the morning, I have availed myself
of the opportunity. I wrote you on the 12th inst. by Sam
Maxwell of Pendleton. I sent by him one hundred &
twenty dollars (120 for you, you stated in your last that
if I sent you any you would send it right back again
you must not do this, on any account as I have no
earthly use for it here, and run a great risk of losing
it all, to give you some idea of how little use we have
for money here, I will tell you, that it only cost me for
board last month, three dollars, for negro hired $2.50 and
for washing 35 cents. My Liquor bill was $1.50 making
in all seven dollars and 25 cents, now my wages are
one hundred & thirty dollars per month. So you see I can
very well afford to send you some of it, particularly as
you know better how to take car of it than I do, and I have
clothes enough with me to last me for some time yet,
although my socks are missing you very much, the toes
are getting out of a great many of them, and I have to sew
buttons on my shirts pretty often, but I expected to have
all this to do before I started and I do it with a very good
grace.

I had just completed my last and handed it to Mr
Maxwell, when we got the order to strike tents at Camp
Tabor and take up the line of march to this place,
we had every reason to believe the enemy intended
atacking us and Camp Tabour [sic] was being a very bad place
to give them battle, we moved to this place where we have
a much better advantage of them should come, they

[page 2]
are reported to be in about four miles of us, should they make
an attack on us here we are ordered by Beauregard to fall back
on General Bonham at Fairfax C.H where he is encamped,
with some seven or eight thousand men, five Regiments
of them, South Carolinians, so you see we will be very well
supported. Fairfax is about 7 or 8 miles from this place.
I neglected to tell you in my last that my company
were presented with a very nice flag the morning we left
Leesburg. The two fair donors are granddaughters of George
Washington or at least of his wife. You know he married
a widow with a family, but never had any children of his own.
The Revrd. Mr. Nurse delivered the flag in behalf of the laides [sic]
making a very appropriate speach [sic], which was most eloqently [sic]
responded to by W. D. Wilkes in behalf of the Company.
Our company think themselves highly honoured, by this
Testimonial, from such a source and I hope will be able
to carry the same banner, unstained, to Carolina when our
present troubles shall have ended, to cheer the hearts of
their wives and sweethearts, with this token of their
gallantry from their sisters of Virginia.

I don’t know of any more news I can write you, we dont
hear much in camp just the same thing every day. the
men are all in fine spirits and anxious to meet old abe’s
forces. Dugan & Jim are both quite well. they had a letter
from Pa. today I was very happy to hear from it that you
are all well when it left; I hope this may find you all
in the same condition, as my paper is enarly out and I cant
get any more till morning I will have to come to a close. Kis
our little Darling for me and tell her papa will soon be
home again to play with her and being her pretties. O Cheek
I would like so much to see you both again, if it was only
for one day, but the fates deny me that pleasure for the
present, but I trust a happy future is in store for us. May
God Bless and protect you both is the ernest prayer of your devoted
husband William

General Milledge Luke Bonham, 1813-1819, a veteran of both the Seminole and Mexican wars, was a cousin of Preston Brooks who had gained notoriety for caning Charles Sumner of Massachusetts on the Senate floor. Bonham was elected to fill Brook’s seat when the latter resigned. He was in the Confederate Army intermittently until the end of the war with time out to serve as a member of the Confederate Congress and governor of South Carolina. After the war he continued his political career.

My Dear Creek

Your very welcome letter of the 5th inst
came to hand yesterday I am very happy to hear
that you are all well, there seems to be a great want
of mail facilities in this part of the country. I have
wrote you three times a week since I left Richmond,
and you have not got any of them, I also wrote to your
Pa, and by Carolines letter yesterday he has not yet
received it. I sent you one by Lieut Broom which
you will get in due time. I send you this by Samuel
Maxwell from Pendleton, I send you enclosed,
$120, which I have not got the least bit of use
for here, and it may be of use to you at home, I have still
forty left, and our pay day will be next week again
when I will get $130 more, so you need not have any
scruples about using it on my account. I am very
sorry to hear that you are so poorly supplied from the
mill, their must be a screw loose somewhere, and if
Jink[?] is still with you, tell him if things are not
working to his notion to make any dispositions that
him and your Father may deem proper, it will be
satisfactory to me. The mill ought to be doing a good

[page 2]
a good business now, and furnish you with plenty.
Pay Jink the money which I borrowed from him
out of this, and make whatever disposition you think
proper of the balance

You will see by this that we have again changed our
Quarters, we are now about half way between Manass
Junction and Alexandria and eight miles from
Fairfax Court House, we will not stay long here as
we are acting as a kind of advance Guard, for the army
and should we be attacked by the enemy, will fall back
on Beauregard at Fairfax C.H. as Mr Maxwell is
hurrying me up I must close. I will send you a
long letter by Craford Keys in a few days

My love to all, but particularly to Dear little Mag
and yourself

Ever your affectionate Husband
William Anderson

William Anderson, 4th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers [Palmetto Sharpshooters]

MSS 10366

I received your interesting letter my dear
Lanty. I hope you will write many such–tell
me how the life agrees with your health.
I like to hear all about the details, the fa-
tigues must go hard with you when the wea-
there is hot. How long do you sleep? I used
to think you spent too much of your time
in sleep, which is as bad as too little.
I wish you would write often to your brothers–
I feel very anxious about Mary Lancelot, I was
in hopes Betsy would have written to let me know
as I had written once about it, and she answered once
Charles did join the church, and he will I hope
be a whole souled Christian. He is near the en-
emy and often engaged in scouting parties where
he is exposed to much danger. Eugene’s regi
ment forms the advanced guard of the army–
your Pa thinks the battle may be going on now
And Wms division of the army in Winchester
is in more danger of a battle than that–
I do not know how I can be so calm–there seems
to be a dark cloud hanging over me but my heart
seems cold and dead.

These are awful times, it seems impossible such
things can be as are daily passing now, and all
so rapid, and such horrid uncertainty hanging over us. There never
was a time when we could say with such truth, The
Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice–What have
we to depend on but this. Prayer, prayer is
all we can do—prayer for faith and for His
protection. did you hear poor Johnson D[?]
was dead–that is what I call (to his pa-
rents) a great calamity. Oh may God comfort them
Pray for them Lanty. Mr Bell let here on Thurs
day last–He was not entirely recovered but would
go–I do not feel able to write any more–
May God bless you my Son–The servants are
much gratified by your notice–particu
-larly your mammy Peggy.

Your affectionate Mother
Mary

[across left hand margin of page 1]
I hope you get your flannel fatigue jacket sent by express. Pray write how Mary Minor is

Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford, 1802-1896, was a devout Episcopalian and an ardent supporter of the colonization movement to free slaves and send them to Africa. Her 1832 manuscript “Notes illustrative of the wrongs of slavery” was later used by her grandson Lancelot Minor Blackford, 1894-1964, to write her biography Mine eyes have seen the glory: the story of a Virginia lady Mary Berkeley Minor Blackford, 1802-1896, who taught her family to hate slavery and to love the Union. According to her grandson she kept a copy of Uncle Tom’s Cabin hidden under her bed throughout the war.

This letter was written in response to her son Lancelot Minor Blackford’s letter of the previous day from the University of Virginia posted earlier in this blog.

MSS 5088

My Dear Ann

As I have an opportunity of sending you
a few lines this morning I
take advantage of the opportunity
I send the remains of George
Harris to Shepherdstown this
morning to be entered with the
honors of war–Poor fellow he was
a good soldier & one very careful
of his arms, Horse &c; it was
a sad specticle for me & all the
camp while I could look upon
the field of battle covred with the
dead & diiing as the natural conseq-
uence of war, yet to see such a man
shot down in his own tent, under
such circumstances is my very sad
I send a bundle consisting of a pr of

[page 2]
Green Leggins cap, & shirt &c you must
put the leggins & cap away in some
safe place have the clothes washed
& return by the first opportunity–
Have my carriage harness locked
up in some secure place–

Our army in Winchester are throwing
up fortifications around the town.
Patterson will not advance until
joined by McClearnand who is
now in western Virgina–Gen
Johnson may advance the latter
part of next week at which time
his arrangements will be completed
Colo Stuarts regiment of cavalry has
been highly complimented by
Gen Johnson–We had a brush
with the enemy yesterday, which
resulted in the killing of 5 yankees
& capturing 2–none of us were hurt
in the least–such is our every day
life here between the two armies–

I have no time to write more

[page 3]
now. Gus came in to camp last
evening & stayed all night with
us–I suppose he gave you all
the particulars of his flight
from one of our pickets.

Love to Mother Jill cousin Rose
& family I will write to Mother
the first time I get, all of us
are well. we got the letter valise
by Latimore & its contents were
very acceptable to us–Kiss my
little darlings for me, tell them
they must be good children until
I come, tell Gus, he must take
care of Sisters & Mama–till papa
comes back–Write to me by
any opportunity you may have &
let me know how you are getting
along farming–god bless & protect
you always Goodbye–
Your ever devoted
husband
W.A. Morgan

Colonel William A. Morgan, 1831-1899, was at the time of this letter the Captain of Co. F., 1st Virginia Cavalry

John Alexander McClernand, 1812-1890, known chiefly for his criticism of McClellan and later, Grant. Democratic politician after the war.

General Robert Patterson, 1792-1881 commanded the Department of Pennsylvania and the Army of the Shenandoah was defeated at the Battle of Hoke’s Run/Falling Waters, allowing Confederate Gen. Joseph E. Johnston to march unimpeded to reinforce the troops at Manassas/Bull Run.

James Ewell Brown “Jeb” Stuart,1833-1864, and assumed command of the 1at Virginia Cavalry Regiment on July 4th.

MSS 1275

[page 4 of previous letter]
Friday morning
Dear Pa,
As I have a little more time this morning I will add
a postscript. All are swell this morning & everything is as quiet
as possible. I do n’t see anything like moving today, Col Hill
has given orders for everything around camp to be cleaned up & burn[torn]
We may remain here sometime or we may remove at any time, I don’t
know & even if I did know anything about what was going on here
it would be against Col Hill’s orders to write anything about it.
If you he^‘a’r anything of our removal at anytime, you must not be
uneasy about us. I know Ma has made herself very uneasy about us
in the last week, about us I almost know she imagined that we
were all killed. We do have hardship to undergo, but I don’t reckon
we have half as hard a time as you all think we have. We know we are
engaged in a noble cause & therefore bear our hardships willingly and
cheerfully. I wish you could see us take one meal…I heard yester-
day through a letter to Gum Beadles that ^‘from’ Marcelus that Joe. Brooks
was
coming back with him the last of this or the first of next week. I would
be very glad to see Joe. My respects to Cap Anderson & tell him I
will try and find time to answer his letter soon. Love to Lin & tell him
I will answer his letter soon. We are very well, Bro. John & Pen have
never been on the sick list yet, I was on the sick list one day at the
Ferry, have not been sick since. I wish Mr. Thompson wd spend a
week or two with us, I believe it wd be the greatest thing he cd do for his
health…….I’ve just heard through a reliable source that some of our
cavalry had a little skirmish with the Yankees on the edge of Martins=
burg, we took three prisoners, killed two, took several horses & some arms,
they were brought in last night, none of our men were hurt.
Pen & Bro. John unite with me in love to all, kiss the Baby.
Al^‘ways’ direct yr letters to this place, even if you hear we are not here.
write as often as you can to yr fond
son P. E. Jones

Philip Edloe Jones was a private in the 13th Virginia Infantry. Colonel Hill to whom he refers was Ambrose Powell Hill, 1825-1865, who commanded troops under Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee.

MSS 13407

Mrs. Wm. M. Blackford
Lynchburg,

My Dear Mother

The arduous occupa-
tion of my time during the week we have been
in barracks or camp as we call it viz cavalry,
has left me but little time unimpeded for
writing letters, this being the first penned in
that time. As I become more used to the life
I hope I shall suffer less from physical exhaustion
and have therefore better capacity to improve leisure time.

Before going further I cannot help recurring to the
subject now uppermost in my mind, viz the dan-
gerous illness of poor Mary Minor. She has as you
know all that medical skill and careful nursing
can supply, and yet we entertain the saddest
anticipation of the result. I consider her recovery
very improbable, and yet no one, so far as I cam
aware has yet given up hope, not I, certainly. We
can only give up the case to the hands of Him
“in whose hands are the issues of life and death.”

[page 2]
It is thought that the fever (typhoid) was brought
on by her near-exhausting working for soldiers, most
recently, I believe, for a company of Md. Volunteers.

I saw by the papers that at Centreville last
Sunday services were held by Rev. Mssrs Slaughter & Griffin
and the Holy Communion celebrated at which time
three officers were admitted to the full fellow=
ship of the Church. I am very sollicitous to know
who these officers were and cannot help hoping
that one of them was my dear brother Charles–
Please inform me. I wrote to him last week
at Centreville, but have had no letter in reply
From Eugene I have had nothing, except indirectly
from Richmond, since I saw him. I presume he
is gone by now to Manassas. From Lewis I have
had not a word either: from bro Wm ditto
but suppose from newspaper accounts he is now
in Frederick Co. or thereabouts. All of my bro-
thers were never so frequently in my thoughts &
prayers, and I am much concerned not to hear of
or from them: I would expect information at
least by way of Lynchburg. Except Marys’ [?]
I believe our friends in Albemarle are all well. I rarely
leave the University,not at all indeed in the week
past except for Church. Our time is so twisted as to
make it very inconvenient to get off without cutting into

[page 3]
I am well pleased with the school here although
of course the hard duty and constant pummels of mili-
tary discipline gall me not a little. I endeavour to
submit to it all and to observe all the requirements
as a matter of duty. Our time is devoted somehow
as follows–Reveille (7 times with drum & fife) at 5 A.M. when
we have to rise and making a hasty toilet go out on
the parade ground to answer to the Roll: at 5 1/2 Drill;
at 7 Breakfast; at 9 Drill; at 10 1/2 Lecture (though not
over 4 times a week): at 1 Dinner: at 5, Drill; at 6 Dress
Parade; at 7 Supper; at 9 1/2 Tattoo–(call to rooms) and at
10 Taps (Lights out & all in bed) To this will probably
be added another Drill, before long. We have to wait
on ourselves altogether, servants–(except of laundry) never
entering our rooms. You would I am sure enjoy seeing
me hobling off 100 yds. to the pump after water
early in the morning, and then, after cleaning my shoes,
proceeding to sweep the room, make my bed–a mattress
on the floor–Etc, etc. this is the “glorious privilege
of being independent” with a vengeance. We have now
about 110 Cadets–among others a Professor a piece from
R[andolph] M[acon] College & Univ. N[orth] C[arolina]. There are a good many old
University men here, enough to make me feel no lack
of society: we have 7 A.M.s in the Corps, as one item.
My roommates and nearest neighbours in quarters (Dawson Row)
are everything I desire, all men of religious character, Episs & Presbys

[page 4]
My room-mates are Randolph Fairfax (son of Dr. Orlando Fairfax
of Alexandria) and Theodore S. Garnett, Jr. son to the senior of that name.
Fairfax was a student of the University this last session.
We have three men in every room, and the rooms
are all comfortable and airy. In my next letter
I will write more of the life here, as I have a good
deal to say which will interest you. I am better
convinced than ever of the prudence of my coming hither
for even the exertions of this life almost break me down
when by I am shown that it would have been
exceedingly hard, if nt impossible, to stand camp at once
I think that I will remain here till 1st September

I am anxious to have a fatigue shirt of gray flan-
nel or such stuff. I hear there is one at home be-
longing to Lewis, which perhaps I could get, if not
I will be grateful to have one made and sent
me as soon as possible. Page,the Tailors has my
exact measure which would furnish dimensions. The
material need not be at all fine, though I would
like some neat decoration in front, simple at the [?]
I have written now on the many interruptions and
very unsatisfactorily to myself but will try &
write again very soon. My love to Sister Lu and kind-
est sympathy on her grief at bro Charles’ absence. My
love to father Mary & kind regards to the servants

In great haste–your affectionate son
L[ancelot] M[inor] Blackford

Lancelot Minor Blackford, 1837-1914, was later the beloved principal of Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Va., for over 40 years.

See posting for 1861 May 27, University of Virginia Board of Visitors minutes establishing a School of Military Science and Civil Engineering at the University.

University of Virginia alumnus Randolph Fairfax, of Capt. Hutter’s Company, Virginia Infantry (The Southern Guard), fell December 13, 1862, at Fredericksburg, Va.

Theodore Garnett, Jr., 1844-1915, a member of the 9th Virginia Cavalry brought the dying JEB Stuart to Richmond after the general was mortally wounded at Yellow Tavern in 1864. Garnett returned to the University of Virginia after the war and earned a bachelor of laws degree. He was the keynote speaker at the unveiling of Stuart’s Monument Avenue statue in Richmond

MSS 5088

Dear Father I thought I would write & let you know that we start for
this place last Tuesday & to day noon we start for Fairfax Court House since
I have been here I have seen the House that Elsworth got shot in & got A
piece of the flag & was going to send it Home but I lost it the American flag
is flying here the Elsworth regiment has taken charge of the Rail Road which
runs between the City & Fairfax most every House in the City is Guarded by the
troops one of the Regiments past through here bound to Fairfax Court House
last night, the company that I belonged to burned some rotten beef yesterday
right in front of the Colonels tent & as soon as we done it, the whole regiment
joined with ours, last night I received A letter from Ellen & she wrote & told
me that George had Joined A Regiment give my love to Mother & all of the
Folks, I never felt so well as I do now there was A man standing by when one of
the Regiments was passing along & he said that he wish they never would
return but he had not got the words out of his mouth before one of the Elsworths
men shot him through the heart which killed him instantly, I received your
your letter that you wrote me & I thought it was A verry good one, I remain your
Son Joseph Leavitt. N B when you write direct them to Washington as the
same as you did the others it dont make any difference where we are we will
get the letters the same I wish you tell William to send me some postage stamps
& some paper to write home with as we have no chance to get any out here &
some Frank envelops if he can get them I have only two sheets to write home
with tell him it wont cost him much to send them on here & I want you to direct
your letters to me in the Care of Capt. Thomas Company G Fifth Regiment.

Leavitt, a private in Co. G, of the 5th Maine, refers here to the death of E. Elmer Ellsworth,who was killed by James T. Jackson, proprietor of the Marshall House in Alexandria, May 24, 1861, after removing a Confederate flag from the roof of the building. Jackson in turn was shot by Private Francis E. Brownell, who was later awarded a medal of honor for his retaliatory killing. See letter of May 26, 1861, by a member of the family of Edward T. H. Warren

MSS 66

My Dear Pa,
As I have a little time this morning I will
write you a few lines. I don’t believe I’ve written a letter
home myself for sometime, but Pen & Bro. John have written sever-
at times in the last few days. I started a letter to you the
day Toombs left but did n’t finish it ^‘in’ time to send it. I hear
Sargeant Cullen crying out, “fall out Boys for drill”, so I must
stop for awhile…I am interrupted so often that I almost hate
to commence a letter. Your letter to Bro. John & the dispatch sent
to me were received yesterday, we were very glad to hear that all
of you at home were well & that Aunt Cynthia was better.
We expected to move our quarters to the fare [fair] grounds yesterday,
& at one time thought we were about to go on another tramp.
We were ordered about ten oclock to pack up & strike tents
& soon afterwards the whole Brigade with knapsacks on
were drawn ^‘up’ ready to move, the command was then given, stack
arms, rest, after resting about an hour we were again
called up & marched back to our camp. Mr. Kennon rec ^‘e’ived
orders to have two days provisions cooked, but the ^‘order’ was soon counter=manded…We had hardly pitched our tents again before we had
a very hard rain, we have rain here most any time in the even=
ing. I suppose Bro. John & Pen have given you a full accoun^‘t’
of our trip toward Martinsburg. We had a right rough
time of it. I was very sure of having a battle before we returned=
ed, we were drawn ^‘up’ several times expecting an attack. We were
certain of having a fight the day before we left, report of guns
were heard in the direction of Martinsburg, the alarm was given
that the enemy were advancing upon us & all were soon ready
for a brush with the Yankees. Gen. Johnston reviewed all
of ^‘his’ forces when drawn up. Col. Hill reviews his own
Regiment, when he had finished he said “You will do boys”.
Every one seemed eager & ready for a fight….

[page 2]
I’ve just finished dinner. What do you reckon we had? Well
we had “Beef” & some gutta percha bread. I never saw a fellow
eat as Pen does in my life. I can’t begin to keep up to him.
When we were at Darkesville the other day, Bro. John went out to
buy something to eat, he soon came back with a nice young, fat
pullet, as he called it, upon examining the fowl I soon discovered
that she was an old “sit^‘t’ing hen”, the feathers were worn off her
breast she had been setting so long; but that is was a small
matter. I picked her &c & Pen fixed her up for dinner & we enjoy=
ed her just as much as if she had been ^‘a’ pullet, I told Bro. John
that he ought to have gotten her eggs too…..Fall out to drill’ is
the cry again, you see I do n’t have much time for letter writing.
I called on Mrs. Murray this morning for the first time, I w’d
have been before but cd not go, the next day after I got back I felt
too tired in the morning & that evening I was detailed for guard & did
not get off until seven oclock the next evening & yesterday we
were expecting to move & were not allowed to leave camp, so you
see I called on Mrs. Murray as soon as I could, she was right
much complaining. Dr. Quarles was to see us yesterday, I believe
he returns tomorrow. We expect to see [a name lined out] Mr. Cammack in
a day or two. I hardly saw Hyman, [words lined out] he overtook us on the
road, I never saw a fellow so much excited, he could hardly speak.
I would like very much to see you over here, but know it wd
not suit you to leave. Mrs. Murray was packed up ye^‘s’terday
ready to go home, she thought we were going away, I reckon she
will go home whenever we leave this place.

I’ve heard nothing from Martinsburg to day, heard yester=
day that two of ^‘the’ Regiments which volunteered for three months, their
time being out, had left & several other Regiments were going to leave
very soon. I did not understand why we did not attack Martins=
burg, but know it was all right. for Gen. Johnston knows
what he is about….We had a very hot time coming from Darkes=
ville, it was about the hottest day we’ve had to march.

[page 3]
All of ^‘us’ were very much delighted to hear of our new uniform, for
we certainly need them very bad. I could make out very well myself
without a new uniform, but the most of the boys need them very badly,
& besides we wo^‘u’ld make a better appearance on dress parade. The pants
you sent by Mr. Frennon came safely to hand, I was very glad to get
them. Before we left Harper’s Ferry we received orders to pack up
everything that we could not carry in our knapsacks & send them
to Winchester, they were sent & put in the depot, some time ago
we went to see about them & found all the boxes broken open
& ^‘all of’ the things of any ^‘value’ taken. I lost all of my white drawers, two
shirts, several pr. of socks, the shawl that Cap. Murray lent
^‘me’ & several other things, I also lost the work bag; which I prized
very highly, that Mrs. Cammack gave me. Cap. Murray
lost about fifty dollars worth of things. I’ve not taken off any
of my flannel yet & reckon I had as well not take it
off now at all as I’ve worn it this long. I don’t need anything
just now except a pair of shoes which I can get here, as I’ve
plenty money & it is most pay day. I’ve spent only six
dollars since I left home. The Paymaster’s son was here to
day to see about paying us off, I would not charge the state
of Virginia anything, but I am bound to clear expenses.
It is now most bed time so I must close. My best love to all
& accept a large share for yrself. Yr devoted & most aff son P. Edloe Jones

MSS 13407

[Another letter in the series over who would be commissary of the 19th Virginia Regiment. See other letters of this date as well as July 3, 5, and 8

R. G. Bailey

I have enclosed your note
to Col. Cocke as also my determination
not to accept the office of
Commissary under the Circumstances.
respectfully &c
W. S. Fretwell

MSS 640