[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]

Dear Mallory

Enclosed find letter from R. G. Bailey
which I desire you to shew both Cols[Philip St. George] Cocke &
[John Bowie] Strange, and to communicate to them
my determiniation not to accept the office
of Commissary–I think to accept
under the Circumstances would be
doing myself as well as all others
concerned gross injustice–

I had hoped to be with you
soon permanently, but the Fates are
against me–I shall visit you
however occcasionally under any
Circumstances–Excuse this
hasty note & believe me
Very Truly
W. J. Fretwell

MSS 640

[another in a series of letters concerning the ongoing contretemps over who would be commissary of the 19th Virginia. see also letters of July 3, July 5 and July 8]

To Genl.P.S.G. Cocke
Commanding 5th Brigade of Virga Volunteers

Understanding that
Dr. Rice G. Bailey has been superseded as Acting Assistant Com-
missary of the 19th Regiment, upon the ground of dereliction
of official duty, we would most respectfully suggest that a re=
=consideration of the order supeseding Dr. Bailey & an investigation
of the documentary evidence which Dr. Bailey has procured in the
last few days since his removal from office would show that, how=
=ever proper the removal was upon the exparte statements, Dr. B
has not been, we most respectfully suggest, derelict in his official
duties–The facts are as follows: Dr. B obtained written per=
=mission from Col. Cocke to go to Charlottesville and return on
the 5th inst.–Dr. Bailey did return & reported himself at Centre=
=ville on the 5th as required–He informs us that he verbally
promised to return on the 4th, thus remaining only at home du=
=ring the evening of the 3rd–This promise he would have faithfully
kept, but subesquent to the verbal promise, Dr. B received a written
order (exhibit B) from Col. [John B.] Strange for a number of articles to be
obtained in Charlottesville for himself and the soldiers of the
19th Regiment. The duty of attending to these orders necessarily
occupied the entire day of the 4th; and Dr. B certainly thought
that he was excusable, of not entirely justified, in employing the
additional time in filling Col. Strange’s orders, especially as
Dr. B would still have ample time, as was proven, to get to
Camp Pickens to attend to the regular drawing of the Regimental
requisitions on the 5th. also the charge that Dr. B did not
furnish the Beef supplies on Wednesday or Thursday (the 3rd & 4th)
there is no blame whatever attaching to Dr. B., as is completely
established by Mr. Smoot, the Beef contractor’s certificate, herewith

[page 2]
exhibited, marked C. This was not the first occasion by many
upon which the Beef Contractor has disappointed the Com=
=missary at Head Quarters; and even with this disappointment
the 19th Regiment had on hand an ample supply of bacon,
bread, sugar & coffee, thus guarding against any serious incon=
=venience to the soldiers.–Dr. Bailey returned on the 5th, by
Reference to the memorandum marked D obtained from
the Hd.Quarters, it will be seen that the requisitions of all
the companies appeared on the 6th & should not have been
drawn until the 7th, two days after Dr. Bailey had reported
himself for duty, & one day after he had drawn & issued
rations for 10 days.– Upon these facts we think
that Col Cocke will in justice to Dr Bailey give him a
hearing in order that he may justify himself against
an apparant dereliction of duty, and if no other objections
be entertained, restore him to his office–The dismissal from
office Dr. B conceives, under the alleged charges, an imputation
upon his official conduct which he desires to set right
before Col. Cocke and the Regiment–

With great respect we are yr m obt servts

Jno F. Ellis Capt Co. H
upon the grounds that his can
have a fair hearing without Act[ually?]
knowing the merits or demerits

R. T. W. Duke Capt C B

Chas. S. Peyton Capt Co E

T M Boyd
Capt Co G

Bennet H. Taylor Capt Co F 19th Reg

Lieut Waller, in command

J. Faulkner Capt Co D.

MSS 640

My dear Creek

(Letter to be added)

MSS 10366

My Dear Sir [General John Hartwell Cocke],

I received your letter
some days ago, but delayed ans-
wering in the hope of being able
to speak definitely. I am very
much obliged to Miss Nannie
& yourself for your kind response
to my request, but am afraid
I shall not have use for your
contribution. I at one time
gave up the hope of raising a
company, but have been induced
to allow the effort to go on for a
while longer. If it succeeds any
time now, I will avail myself
of you liberality. Out of about 100
men fit for service in this neigh-
borhood, not more than 20 are
willing to enlist. I hear that the

[page 2]
Coal Harbor Militia Company mustered
on Friday last, to the number of 70
& on an appeal being made to them
resolved unanimously that they
would not fight until they were
drafted. So that little is to be
expected from the patriotism of
this part of Hanover.

I hope you are all well at Bremo.
Your intelligence of Miss Nannie’s
improvement is very gratifying
& gives us room to hope for her
speedy recovery.

My family are well–& the community
generally. I am just recovering from
a sllight illness.

Kind regards to Mrs Cocke, Miss
Nannie, & yourself, from Mrs
Harrison & myself.

Yrs sincerely
Dabney Carr Harrison

Albemarle County, Va., native and University of Virginia alumnus, Dabney Carr Harrison was both a lawyer and a Presbyterian minister before the outbreak of the war. Despite the inauspicious beginning recorded here he eventually became a captain in the 56th Virginia Regiment. He was mortally wounded at Fort Donelson February 16, 1862.
MSS 640

Dear parents

I have been looking
for some news from home some time
but I have recieved nothing yet I
have written three home and this is
the fourth one to you one to Washington
one to Francis Symonds I am anxious
to hear how you are geting along I hope
you do not fret about me for I am doing
well I can tell you some of our men
have been sick with dysenterry but not
dangerous I have not been troubled with
it yet and if I am carefull I think I
shall not have it. The second, and
third Me regt have gone to Virginia and
the fourth are expecting orders to march
soon we have some West Point men

[page 2]
here drilling us we are making good
progress in that respect I have heard
a great many stories about the hot
climate out here but I find it verry
different I have seen warmer weather
in Me than I have seen here yet the
weather is very steady here and it
appears warmer that it is we have had
cold nights here ever since I have been
here so we have to cover up snug by
night. Our living is about the same as
it was at camp preble. I am enjoying
myself a great deal better than I
expected to I see some one allmost
every day that I am acquainted with
belonging to other regts. The war news
is kept so snug to the war department
that we do not get much news but
there will be a desc decisive mov
movement made soon Congress has
approved of the presidents proceedings
and so now they will push ahead,
There was one man in the 4 regt

[page 3]
died the other day from the effects of
measles he thought that he was about
well and come out here with the men
he got cold and died and I suppose
was sent home. There is one man in
our company that I think will not
live long he is consumtive and is
growing worse every day he is think-
ing about getting discharged and I
think he will. As a general thing
our regt is in good health and
spirits and anzious to meet the
rebels in a fair fight for we thing
our cause is a just one and we
w must conquer. I have but little
time to write so I must make
short letters. All the Raymond
boys are well and doing well
so good by for the present

Hiram M Cash
Co. H fifth
regt Me. V[olunteer] M[ilitia]
Washington D. C.

Hiram Cash, 1835-1908. The 5th Maine was mustered into service at Portland on June 24th and was present in all the major engagements in the east from Bull Run to Cold Harbor after which it was combined with remnants of two other Maine regiments to form the First Maine Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment which continued in service to the end of the war.
MSS 12916

W L Fretwell Esq

Dear Sir

When I returned
from Charlottesville on Friday
last I was informed that I had
been removed from the Office
of Commissary, and that you
had been appointed in my place
I was really astounded at the
intelligence as I could not call
to mind any action of mine
to justify such a course
particularly during my absence
and without a word of explanation
from me. I felt that some
great misapprehension as to me
or my conduct existed–
I found that you left for
Charlottesville very early on
Saturday morning which
prevented any possibility of my

[page 2]
seeing you. I immediately
sought an interview with Gen
Cocke. he saw my papers wherein
I was exonerated from all blame
and expressed himself as sorry
that he had acted in so hasty
a manner; he said that the
papers threw an entirely different
light upon the subject, but
stated that as he has made
the appointment he could not
go behind his word—some
of the officers of the regiment
intend signing a petition to
reinstate me. as I was removed
without cause, I have thought
fit to write to you to let you
know how the matter stands
and also what steps I am
taking to set myself fight
Major Skinner Major Fowle and
Major Smoot voluntarily

[page 3]
exonerate me from all
responsibility about the non-
arrival of the Beeves, it being
Major Fowle’s fault, he not being
able to forward them from
Manassas. The way in which
I was cut down being without
cause or reason, and that too
when I was absent on Gen
Cocke’s leave on regimental
business principally, seems to
imply some disgrace, which I
shall certainly make some effort
to remove–understanding from
Lieut Colier[?] that if my
removal was not fair and
square ^’that you would not accept the office I thought that a
statement of the cercumstances
was dut to you before coming to my
final decision I have been
put to great expense – (for me)
in preparing myself for the
discharge of the duties of the

[page 4]
office, and now think it had
to be able to get no return
I hope either to hear from you
or to see you at an early
day when I can make a
fuller explanation to you

I am Dear Sir Yours very truly

R G Baily

for a previous account of this contretemps see the July 5 letter of J. Richard Smoot, beef contactor, and order of July 3 concerning Rice G. Bailey

MSS 640

My dear Lute:

Your long letter was recd. some days ago & I was
truly glad to hear from you as I shall always be so long as
I am blessed with feelings to appreciate a Sisters tender love;
You folks at home can scarcely picture in imagination the
eagerness with wh we look forward to the arrival of mail & the
delightful pleasure we have upon reception of communication
from home. Your letter was a long while reaching me but it
was a real treat to receive it and I assure of my dear ap-
preciation of its merits. We have once more reached Winchester
after a tramp of 18 miles. Helen Louthan & Miss Mary came
up to see us on Tuesday the second instant and we boys were in
the act of enjoying their company and a nice dinner which they
brought with them when we recd. orders to pack up all our bag-
gage and get ready for marching with our blankets only to be
carried with us. Helen had to cut short her visit and in a
few moments after some running & hurrying all were ready
to march, we knew not where. Henry Chiles was left to take care
of the sick, our tents, baggage, &c. The night on the road was a
grand one – there were sixteen regiments on the march and with
the cannons, horses, wagons, harness, &c, the scene was impos-
ing. We marched about seven miles in short while as we had
recd. some information that lead us to believe we wd. march
into Martinsburg upon Genl Patterson [—]
eager for an engagement with the hirelings[?] who have dared
to invade the land & home of the patriot chieftains
of Mt. Vernon. It was decided by the authorities to encamp
for the night at that point; soon our usual supper was
provided[?] and all were fixing for the nights sojourn;
Garnett, John, Ed and I, spread down our oil clothes, wh we had
taken care to carry with our blankets, and for my part
I enjoyed the nights sleep & was only roused by the call to
[page ripped] at two o clock; and here I will [-] on that

[page 2]
this meal was supper & breakfast together and I was mista-
ken in what I said above. Wednesday we marched quickly to
within 6 miles of Martinsburg, to Darksville [West Va.] – a small
village on the road; our fellows did not mind this much
at all & cd. easily have gone to Martinsburg, had it been
thought advisable to do so. Here we all were anticipating a
fight as there had been an engagement between the federal &
Confederate forces on Monday evening before (of wh you have proba-
bly seen an account) in which there was a vastly superior
force on the side of the federalists; we took 47 prisoners and
killed a great many – more than a hundred it is estimated –
On Saturday our superiors were informed by scouts that the En-
emy had taken down their tents and late in the day there was
an engagement between 20 cavalry on our side & 40 of the
enemy in wh. we took 2 prisoners and killed two while none
on our side were the least injured. From this it was thought
that the Enemy certainly were advancing upon us. Our men
were indulging in quiet nap after dinner but in a short
while all were ready with cheerful hearts and anticipation
of great success the force was drawn up in a magnificent
position for a battle and Johnston is said to have remarked
in selecting it that it was about the best in Virginia, our
regiment was placed on the left of the right wing; the few
[not able to read words in crease] our possession was placed in ad-
vantageous positions & those on the left were masked
by shocks of oats and no one wd. have imagined that there
were pieces there. We waited impatiently for the enemy,
Col. Hill rode past his regiment front and rear, was pleased
with his inspection & remarked “you’ll do boys”.
Genl Johnston rode past the entire line and you never
heard such cheering in all yr’ life; he said that all
of us were in good spirits. But plague the Yankees, after
all our preparations, all our endeavors to [page torn]

[page 3]
coase[?], or persuade them into an engagement, to use
as popular phrases, “nary” Yankees came, except some
poor fellows who had been taken prisoners. The line
was broken and the several companies reluctantly march-
ed to their respective quarters. Early next morning we
were called out and an order came from Genl. Johnston
to the effect that having offered battle to the [-] Ene-
my for four days although they were vastly superior in
numbers, the sacrifice of gentlemen patriots – would
be too great, therefore we wd resume our former quarters.
We marched up here, the distance of 18 miles, resting only
a short while on the roads – the regiment walked too slow
for me and I came on in advance, reached Winchester
three hours before them & called on Mrs. Murray at the
“Taylor House”. Was very [rest of line too worn to read]
her & delighted to see a face from old Louisa. We recd. letters
from home just as we were in the line of battle
at Darksville. I found out when our Regiment was
in sight, informed Mrs. M. & she went on the Hotel porch
to see them. I then met our boys & suggested that we shd.
cheer when we passed the Hotel – When opposite the
porch we gave enthusiastic cheers – Mrs. M was sick
somewhat and is still complaining but nothing [serio-]
us I trust. We were glad to receive the boxes of eat[-].
Some of the bread in one box was moulded very slightly
with wh. exception every thing was nice & highly accept-
able in camp; they will last us some time and I will
mention that I am chief cook for our family [-]
& the boxes will save us some trouble for a while. I am
a splendid cook unless the boys flatter me very much.
Some things in the other boxes were also spoiled, ch[-]
& bread. Our tent will fare sumptuously for a while
[The last line on the page is too torn to read.]

[page 4]
I commenced with the intention of writing a longer
letter, with detailed accounts of my life from a
diary which I have kept since I reached here, But
my letter can be sent to day possibly by Mr. Loomb[-]
and I am compelled to [-] as it is already
nearly time for the stage to leave for Strasburg,
I send the face of an old soldier with his guns wh.
I hope may please you & frequently call to mind
the recollection of an old acquaintance.

Give my love to everybody. I wish I cd. see them
all but am not homesick; wish I had time over
here to write to all of them but this is a
poor place for letter writing – I have been wanting
to write to Miss Lute Payne and will first
[Cannot read words in crease here.] we remain here any
length of time. Excuse penmanship &c and
write to me soon. We are all well; our compan-
ies getting on well; some sick in hospital yet.
[W]e occupy second position of honor in the regt.
[-] on the left. All write us much love
Very Affly Yr. Bro.
Pendleton. [Jones]
P.S. Don’t forget to remember me kindly to Miss
Harris[?] and other female “critters”.

MSS 13407

My Darling – The last week has been one of
patient waiting for a fight. On Monday 1st inst
I was ordered by Col Jackson to go to Martinsburg &
burn some engines, at which I was engaged until
Tuesday morning when I received an order to join
my Company accompanied with the inform
ation that the enemy was approaching and our
forces had gone out to give him battle. I obt
ained a conveyance as speedily as I could, and
the first intelligence of the fight I received from
my regiment which I fear was retreating. My
Company I was pleased to learn had fought bravely
on Wednesday morning we took our stand six
miles this side of Martinsburg, and there awaited
the approach of the enemy until Sunday morning
when we retired to this place three miles from
Winchester. This we expect to be our battle field
When it will take place it is impossible. It
may be to-morrow or perhaps not for a month
depending upon the movements of the enemy
I look forward to it without any feeling of alarm
I can’t tell why but it is so. My fate may
be that of Cousin Nat McChesney, of whose
death I have just heard. If so let it be.
I die in the discharge of a duty from which
it is neither my wish nor my privilege to
shrink.

I have received two or three letters from
you since my last was written – the last
accompanied by shirt & [-] both
very acceptable
The horse trade was entirely satisfactory

[page 2]
Act in the same way in all matters
connected with the farm – Just consider
yourself a widow, and in military par –
lance insist upon being “obeyed & respected
accordingly”. Have the crop of wheat threshed
and sell it at the best figure you can get
The wood which is cut on the bushy
hill you can sell if there is an opportunity
Be careful however as you many sell 50
cords and the man who buys for all you
know may take a hundred.

Pay your board at Annies out of the first money
you get. She may not be disposed to accept it
but I insist upon it. I wish to pay no such
bills merely with gratitude.
Newman is still in the army but I have not
seen him for a month. I called to see him
the other day but he was not at his quarters

It is now nearly three months since I left
home & I hardly know how the time has passed
All I know is that if I do my duty I have but
little leisure. I am used to the hardships of the
service and feel that I have the health and
strength to bear any fatigue or exposure –
Sometimes as I lay upon the ground, My
face to the sky, I think of Mathews little verse
“twinkle twinkle little star”, and my mind
wanders back to the wife and little ones at
home. Bless you, if I never return the wish which
lies nearest to my heart is for your happi
ness. And now my darling again
good bye. Kiss little Mathew & Gala for me
and tell them Papa sends it. Give my
love to Pa & Rachel and for yourself accept
all that a fond husband can give.
Ever Yours E F. Paxton

University of Virginia alumnus Elisha F. “Bull” Paxton, 1828-1863,had been at odds with Thomas J. Jackson over the issue of Virginia’s secession from the Union, but was now reconciled with him.

Paxton references the Battle of Falling Waters on Tuesday July 2nd. Although little more than a skirmish it was Jackson’s first engagement of the war.

MSS 2165-a

My dear Mother

I received your welcome and affection-
ate letter yesterday together with those of Mr Page and Mary Ann
and was very glad indeed to see that you were more cheerful
and contented, and I hope dear Mother you will remain so, until
this glorious war of Independance is finished, and the North conquer-
ed, my motto now is, “Death! oh death to the Yankee band! Hurrah!
Hurrah! The north will soon be conquered! Hurrah! Hurrah”!–to
the tune of Dixie. I suppose you have already seen the account
or rather the notice of the last glorious battle near Martinsburg.
I sincerely hope that Johnson has “licked” them, as the saying is,
from the face of the Earth. I see also that Connecticut is com-
ing out all right, but New York, and New York City especially,
is as obdurate as ever, my prayer for her is, may the grass
grow green in her streets forever. Every dat that I live my
hatred towards the north grows stronger and stronger, and I
sincerely hope this war will be carried on vigorously against them,
and that each day may be a day of terrible retribution to them
and that this may last for moths aye even years to come, I
only wish I was at Manassas, or with Johnson so that I could
take a more prominent part against them I have made a
Solemn vow against them, the very day I left Annapolis, when they
were cheering their fellow cut throats on to subgugate the south,
that I would never ask quarter of one of them, and that I never,
never, would give any, and that vow I hold as a Sacred duty
and will to the utmost of my ability fulfill it.

You seemed to think that if I was to get really sick that I would
not let you know, now dear Mother you are very much mistaken
as I should certainly let you it, as I think it very wrong to deceive
any one about such a thing as that, because I do not think
that it would do any good, but rest assured that there
is not danger about my getting sick here, as it is the most

[page 2]
healthy and delightful climate I ever saw, and moreover I
am not very easily made sick, and I take good care of
myself, I have not been sick in the slightest manner, since
I have been here, in fact for the last 12 months, and about
chills and fever, the climate is the very place to prevent such
a thing but if I were to come up in the mountains about
Lynchburg I would have them, as you doubtless know from
the short time I stayed at home. It is needless to say that
there has been no fighting here, as Old Picayune and his
crew are scared to death, and would not budge an inch
from New Port News for anything in the world, I wish they
would put some body in his place and let us have some
amusement any how, as everyting is getting very stale
down here and not enough exictement hardly to keep one
alive. There is a beautiful Confederate Gunboat here which
will go to sea sometime shortly via the Swamp Canal and
the Officers on her want me to go with them, which also pleas
es me exactly, and I hope they will succeed in getting
me ordered to her, she is a perfect little beauty, and
will make the Yankees howl. If I succeed in being ordered
to her I will let you know. I am very glad you sent me
Mr Pages letter, and I hope you will always send them as I
take great interest in reading them. what did you mean
or rather Mary Ann’s by bands ready for me? Give my
best love to all Aunt Mary’s family, and Aunt Eliza’s also when
you see them. what did you mean about Uncle Ben had no
right to expect any thanks for me as he had taken ten times
that much from me and that you would tell me all about it.
Do pray Ma write me all about it as I know nothing
at all, and never have been told anything about my Father
or his transactions, do pray Ma write me all about it.

Kiss the children for me, and tell the Negores howdy–and now
dear mother farewell, a bientot—
Your Affectionate son
R. A. Camm

Robert A. Camm, 1842-1892, was a midshipman in the U.S. Navy before resigning his postion (an incident he describes in this letter) 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.

There was no commander, Union or Confederate, known as “Old Picayune.” Historian Robert K. Krick suggests that Camm’s derision may have been aimed at Benjamin Huger, CSA, not at a Federal: “Huger was oft-scorned with some cause, and was in fact stuffy, starchy, old, and uber-picky (or Picayune, if you will)” but qualities that that context of the letter may suggest a Yankee target

MSS 8937

Mr L. M. Minor
Lynchburg

My dear Lancelot,

What about Eugene? The latest
account I have of him is that he
had set out for Montgomery in the
hope — nay more, the expectation of
receiving orders to bring his Comany
to Va. There is some strange disorgan=
ization in the mails of late; for
your fathers last letter was five
days coming from Lynchburg–but
this may have been caused by the
disorderly post office at Richmond.
Have you any news from him?

John Maury arrived last night
from the university & tells me
that Charles is gone with his Com=
-pany to Manassas Gap.

[page 2]
You will, I hope, let me know how
he is getting on there and how he likes
the new sort of life.

In order that you may have some idea of
our position with respect to the
enemy I shall subjoin or enclose
a rough map of the Aquia Creek &
its batteries.

A new man has taken command
here–General Homes or Heromes
Whether Co[l]o[nel] Ruggles is to be
sent to another duty or re=
-main here second in command
I know not.

I have just recd a letter from
your uncle Lucius who informs
me that Charles has received a
promise of a Commission and
Berkeley is drill sergeant of
Bledsoe’s company at the Uni=
=versity—

Lucius wants yr fathers

[page 3]
rifle–I asked him in a
letter written some time ago
if I should send it to him, but
have recde no answer that
I had a letter from him yesterday
(Thursday 6th) written & post mark=
=ed 1st June. Five days from
Lynchburg to Fredg!

Pray have me advised about
the Hall’s rifle.

I am called away–Good
bye Love to all ours

yr aff[ec]t[ionat]e uncle

J. Minor

John Minor, 1791-1862, of Fredericksburg, Va.

Minor’s enclosed sketch of Aquia Creek is not present. He was most likely referring to the incident of May 30th in which two small Federal steamers under Commander James H. Ward attacked the Confederate battery at Aquia Creek and the followup engagement on June 1 in which the U.S.S. Pawnee, Anacostia, and Thomas Freeborn again fired on the battery which was under the command of Colonel Daniel Ruggles. Nothing was accomplished. On June 27, Ward was mortally wounded in another engagement, the first Federal naval officer killed in the war. West Point graduate Ruggles, a Mexican War veteran, served throughout the war, mainly in the Western Theatre. Known for his fearlessness in battle, he was eventually relieved from field command due to his advanced age and served as Commissary General of Prisoners of War. After the war he returned to Fredericksburg and in 1884 was appointed to the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Military Academy

Theophilus Hunter Holmes, 1804-1880, a West Point graduate and Mexican War veteran was appointed Brigadier General on June 5, 1861, commanding the Department of Fredericksburg.

MSS 5088