My dear father

your letter of July 27 & August 6th have been received I was verry glad to hear from you, we are encamped on Federal Hill Baltimore & A Splendid place for an encampment it is, we have A view of the whole City it commands every point & in A verry short time, with the assistance of Fort McHenry the City could be entirely destroyed, but I think there will be no occasion for Destroying the City, for the Union feeling is gaining ground every day and as the City is to be the great Military encampment here will be no chance for A rising, it is the intention of the Government to make\this City the head Quarters for the Reserve there will be about seventy five thousand Troops in Baltimore in about A month, I think we shall stay here some time yet Although I do not know positive, but as Gen Dix is in command of this department he will do all he can, to keep New York Regiments in Baltimore & as this Regiment is considered A cracked one & occupying the most important position it is likely we shall stay untill Gen Scott gets ready to move, I like Camp life verry much we have nothing to do but drill three hours every day & as there has been improvement in the cooking since we have arrived in Baltimore we get along verry well, the Camp is A poor place to hear news, we never know what to beleive, one day we hear one story, and the next something else, at old Point Comfort we had something to do, the Regiment had to go out on pickett twice A week, it was A strange position for me, to be about two miles from Camp on Pickett in the Enemys country the way Pickett duty is done is to March the Regiment where the roads cross each other & send out about one halfe of the men keeping one halfe where the roads cross for the Reserve, the men are posted about one hundred feet apart which leaves the outer Pickett three or four miles from Camp,no one was allowed to pass without an order from Gen Buttler I did not see A doz People all the time we were in Old Point Comfort & the food

we had was not fit for hogs to eat I had to eat crackers for I could not eat the stuff that was dealt to us, the coffee was nothing but black mud & the pork was nothing but grease & the beef was like so much rock, but since we have been in Baltimore there has been great improvement, we have fresh beef every day & also fresh bread the bread is first rate, but untill to day the meat has not been cooked well, that has been one great fault, when we had good meat it was spoilt in Cooking, if it had not been for what the men receive from home, they would not have been verry well pleased, there is not A day but there is A load of boxes arrives in the Camp for different men containing little articles such as pies, & cakes, lemons &c our living here is splendid to what it was at Old Point Comfort everything here is kept clean; our Camp is laid out In streets & every morning the streets have to be swept & not A piece of paper or anything is allowed to belaying arround, for the first six weeks the Regiment

has been under the command of Lieut Col Warren Col Duryee having been acting as Brig General Col Warren is A first rate man & it is through his efforts that the Camp is kept in such good order when we arrived here the eighteenth Regiment of Philidelphia, was encamped, but it was not kept in verry good order, in looking arround I am surprised to see the change that has taken place since we have been here everything arround is kept in first rate order, we have plenty of good water & are now enjoying ourselves my health has never been better than it is now, I should not have asked Wm for any money, but I had nothing to pay the Postage on my letters & as I said before our Food was not fit for hogs, & if it had not been for what the men received from home in the shape of pies & cakes &c they would all have been sick & yet they say that we (that is the new recruits) cannot tell what they had to go through halfe the time they had nothing but crackers, you tell me not to feel down hearted why should I feel so. I have joined the Regiment for the Purpose to serve my Country & I have nothing else to think of & if I always have as good A dinner as I have had to day, I shall not grumble, the weather is verry hot bit I do not mind it much now as I have got pretty well used to it, for the first two weeks that I was in the Regiment the sun burnt me so that I could not turn my head my forhead swelled up & the skin pealed of like bark off A tree, I was glad you received A letter from Joseph, I looked in the papers every day to see if I could find hisname he can tell what A battle is, I have not been in an engagement yet & I dont know when I shall be in one if we are ordered in the Field I shall do my duty.. you will excuse this writing as I am sitting on the ground with A piece of board to write on & the position is not very comfortable, from your Son George P.S direct to Geroge W Leavitt Co F fifth Regiment N Y volunteers Col Duryee Federal Hill Baltimore

Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George Leavitt of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in October 1865: “because they are of value to me and I was fearful that they might get mislaid.” Both boys were mortally wounded in the war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862, and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.

The fifth New York was known as the Duryee Zouaves after Colonel, later General Abram Duryee (1815-1890) who was wounded twice in the war. Afterwards he was active in New York City politics, serving as both police commissioner and dockmaster.



Lieutenant Colonel Gouveneur Kemble Warren (1830-1882)was most noted for his defense of Cemetery Ridge at Gettysburg.



MSS 66

My Darling Wife –

I have received

from Gen Jackson the appointment

to act as his aid and wish you

to send my uniform coat & pant” by

Rollins Kahle or some one of

our men which ever comes

first. Switser is just leaving

& I have not time to write more

Yours With Much love

E F Paxton

[The above letter does not appear in Civil War Letters of General Frank “Bull” Paxton.]

MSS 2165

[From the diary of William Cox Holmes]

We formed into line at an early hour & beat the drum for

roll call, then we went out & drilled squad drill for awhile.

After breakfast we re-formed and Capt. [?] delivered a

very touching sympathetic address stating what we had to

do and what responsibility was resting upon us as patriots

& what we must expect. In alluding to our absence from

our friends never to return perhaps the tears were forced

into my eyes & I felt what indeed I was & what I had to do

& with a willing heart & full determination to do it. I

went at it & from this time promise it will be my effort

to continue to do so. The day passed off in attending to

the various duties of the camp, appointing guards of the tents,

& the night was spent [illegible] sleep.

William Cox Holmes (1840-1924) was an alumnus of the University of Virginia. He began service in the 25th Mississippi Infantry, which was re-designated the 1st Mississippi Infantry in 1862. Later became a captain in the 1st Mississippi Sharpshooter Battalion. After the war he graduated from the New Orleans School of Medicine and practiced in Texas from 1867 until his death.

MSS 38-472

My darling wife

Yesterday I went to the Junction
12 miles from here. I found it a very
dirty stinking place & learning that
Ned was encamped 3 miles down
the R R I left early & spent the
day at his camp. I enjoyed it
very much although I found their
regiment in rather a state of disor-
ganization–Remembering as I do
what a splendid regiment it was
and with how much spirit they
entered the contest, I could not help
feeling grieved to see them as they
are. I left them after 5 & got
to our camp just at nine at night
having met but little dificulty in
finding a strange road through a
long dark woods. At the Junction

[page 2]
I found my new uniform which is first
rate & beautiful & I turned out in it this
evening at dress parade which was in
strong contrast with our rag[g]ed regiment
The truth is 1/4 of our men are bare
footed half of them cannot hide their
nakedness but
for
are as rag[g]ed as
they can be. we are doing all
in our power to get shoes & clothes
for them & hope to succeed shortly.
Col Gibbons was taken to day with
a severe hemorage [sic] from the lungs
had two before dinner but is I
think a little better this evening–he
is in no imediate danger & will not
be if he takes proper care of himself
The command of the Regiment of course
falls on me & hence there is not
now the slightest possibility of a
furlough for me–I had still hoped
for it against all discouragement &
will now have to rely on a visit from
you & the children which I hope

[page 3]
will certainly take place at an early day
Tell Jim he shall sit on Papas lap and
little daughter too & shall sleep in Papas
tent right close up to Papa–and eat
out of a tin plate of Papas mess chest-
but they must not be in too great a hurry
nor too impatient about it because it
will be several days yet before the
bridges will be put up so that they
can come I look forward with great
pleasure to the visit & so much afraid
that we may be ordered off before the
bridges are done that I am sometimes
quite nervious[sic] I will get my pay
this week and will send you a
good pile of it So you may do as
you please–Tom Pennybaker has
been & still is quite sick with my
old complaint–he would soon be
from well if he would eat prudently-George
Chrisman has also been ill & still is
from same cause–among our men
we have a good deal of sickness, but

[page 4]
I hope nothing serious at present.
I am very much obliged to Mr Binot[?]
for his very good opinion of me and
I can assure him that I full re-
ciprocate it. I have taken a great
fancy to several of Neds men, but like
Mr B rather better than any. I hope
the prospect of paying me a visit
has had the effect of curing both
you & Jimmie, at any rate I hear
nothing further from you on the
subject–I am surprised that
any objection should be made to
your visit since the Mrs Johnson
paid their visit & came out so well
If they why not you. I will
attend to the pass question–If one
is necessary I think I can pro-
cure it, if not I will know all
about it–at present a pass from
any genl of Brigade passes you
anywhere. Kiss my babys & give
love to the girls & Florence

affectionately E.T.H. Warren

Line 1  “Junction” is Manassas Junction

Simeon B. Gibbons, Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry
Thomas Jefferson Pennybacker, Adjutant, 10th Virginia Infantry
George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Company H, 10th Virginia Infantry

[thanks to John P. Mann IV for the above identifications]

officer and later Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry.

MSS 7786-g

My dear Ann

I have just time

to write you a very few lines–

Danny has just concluded to

go up home after his papers

& I am on the point of going to

the Court house on business, & am

in a great hurry. I was not here

when [Natus?]came yesterday. Did

[Gus?] get my letter that I sent by

Mr. Littell? You said nothing about

it. I got a letter from Osborn

asking for his harvest money–have

you settled with him? Of course

I know nothing about it & have left

all to you. I think he said there was

a difference of some $12.25 between us–

[page 2]

I expected Jim by Natus wagon. You

said nothing about sending him

I expect to be paid off, in a day or

two & will send the money to you as I

only want a little change occasionally.

I dont know how I am to get it up as

opportunities of sending money up home are

now beginning to be rare. I am glad

to hear of Betties improved health.

Keep an eye to her & send her to ride every

morning before breakfast. I would like

to see you all very much..For several

weeks past I have had a sort of a presentiment

that I will not be killed, in this war

but will be taken prisoner–the other

night I dreamed that I was rally[sic]

taken. I have made so many hair-

breadth escapes lately from being shot

that it may be I will not be shot, but

doing the service I am engaged in I

[page 3]

may be taken, well at any events

I would rather be taken than killed.

I could might stand some chance

of being exchanged, or released

on parole, but I could not think of taking

the oath. I send you some flowers

that I plucked from the spot where

Thurmonds battery was taken a fork

a box & some bullets pieces of shells a haversack

& an inferior Zouave cape, dirty & soiled

just as it was picked on the ground give it

to some of the niggers I also send a can

that I cut on the ground when I charged the

Zouaves take it & put it away for me, as it is the

only thing I have as a memento–tell Gus

he must write to his Papa & tell

me all about his mama & little

sisters–There is a rumer current here

that their will be a forward movement

of our army within a few days I am

not surprised to hear it, for we are

[page 4]

anxious to clear the yankees from

the soil of Virginia I feel very anxious

often of you all up there–I only wish

Gen. Johnston would move in this

direction& clear them out You must

keep up your spirits I think the

hardest fighting is over, & would

not be surprised if a compromise

was effected, as there is a great reaction

going on in the North I send a

white shirt home–The check shirt

you sent is very nice. I am sorry you

could not get me some corduroy stuff

for pants–I saw some nice that came

from Hills–We have a plenty to eat here

bread & meat, & sometimes I contrive

to get some cucumbers & other vegetables.

I am better situated, with Gen Elzey than

I was with Col. Stuart–Gen compliments

us very highly & says he wants us presently

attached to his command–Col Stuart

is losing ground with the captains of our

Regt. Capt. Patrick desires me to remember him

to you, he is a good fellow–Archie & Jack are

well as also Fountain–Willy has not made

his appearance as yet–much love to Mother

[left hand margin of page 4]

Tell George & [?] both I would like to stay with

you–God bless & protect you–Goodbye–ever your

husband WAM

[left hand margin of page 1]

Kiss my little darlings for

me & tell them I look for-

ward to the time when I

can come home to see them

very anxiously Tell Edd

to keep an eye

to the hogs & not

let them be stolen as

we have but few–

ever yours



William A. Morgan was a Colonel in the 1st Virginia Cavalry Regiment.

MSS 1275

[from the diary of William Cox Holmes]

Got to Mempis about 8 o;clock after a pleasant trip on the

cars. Marched immediately for Camp Pillow which was about

1 1/5 miles distant.–found it a very pleasant place on the

Miss. river well supplied with couver &c.–Met with a

warm reception by the soldiers then present, was much pleased

with it. I felt much attached to them. Eat breakfast and

took a short rest after which we pitched our tents etc. We

formed into line & I was appointed Orderly Sergeant of the

company. Entered into the duties of the office & found it

exceedingly perplexing for the first day on account of

having to give out rations [illegible] very well. Did

not feel much home-sick but would occasionally see the con-

trast. I held up well under the circumstances and on the

whole was muched pleased with the excitement of camp-life. In

the evening I went down to Memphis where I found many new things

especially in the steam boat line. Got back home pretty early

& went to preparing for night, put out my guards for the

night under the Corporal. During the night I slept very

hard but soundly for I had not slept any the night before.

Camp sleeping did not suit me altogether but I was contented

with it. Though Orderly I had full permission to sleep

when I could get at it which was a consolation I learned

of my Corporals whom [illegible]

William Cox Holmes (1840-1924) was an alumnus of the University of Virginia. He began service in the 25th Mississippi Infantry, which was re-designated the 1st Mississippi Infantry in 1862. Later became a captain in the 1st Mississippi Sharpshooter Battalion. After the war he graduated from the New Orleans School of Medicine and practiced in Texas from 1867 until his death.

MSS 38-472

Dear Genl [John Hartwell Cocke]

We are all well at present & doing

well. We have had several good rains one since Lucy

wrote that prevents us from getting along with our fodder

as we wish. This morning it was so wet & cloudy we

had to go to grubbing, Cain grubbed a little while in

the Dufphey lot, the weather & he has gone to work at his

fodder again. Our crop of corn is very good I think from the

size of the ears the Dufphey lot especially. Our cotton is

looking well & it has begun to shed a few of its squares.

It is opening very fast. Champion is making baskets at the

New Hope they are all very well the crop is very fine they

say I have not seen it lately I shall go down there this

evening. I have not heard from Uncle R since he left, I

look for him this evening. Mr. Barden leaves for Va this evening.

he says he wants to see the army & his son Joe & his relations Mrs Barden

also. Ruffin Gray was in that Big Battle I heard that Genl

Philip Cocke was in it (Is that so?) William P. Webb has

been to Va.. he arrived in Greensboro last night. He

delivered a short address told us all about the Greensboro

company. I do not know whether I am right or not but I

feel like I want to go to fight for our country.

Cattle & Hogs, sheep & colts are looking very well. It is

nearly time for the old mare to wean her colt. She is looking

tolerable well. As times are bad & money is scarce I thought

we would save by writing together. Lucy has written you all

about the garden & house things. Yours respectfully

Smith Powell

If you could make it convenient we would

like to hear from you soon.

MSS 640

My Dear Master

I received your letter two weeks ago and was

very glad to hear from you, and as Mr. Benj Banden

expects to start to Virginia in a few days I

expects to send my letter by him.

We are all well at this time, and have

had but little sickness this summer. I have

heard of but very little sickness in the Neighborhood

I have nothing new to write about every thing

is going on as usual. the people are very

busy at this time pulling Fodder. they commenced

three days ago. we have had a long spell of

rainny weather, but for the last week it has

been quite fair. last night we had a good

shower. the garden is quite grassy this

rainny weather. we still have a plenty of

vegatables to eat. we have more Tomattoes than

we can destroy. Mrs Henry and Miss Mary came

here the other day, and got a half Bushell of them.

they desired to be remembered to you. Etter has

a very nice crop of onions they are all dried

and I think that they will keep. the peas

that you had planted in the garden has turned

out very well — boath kind of them. we have

enough of Josephs corn for seed another year.

[page 2]

we are saveing Sunflower Seed and other different

kind of seed we have a very few Figs on the

Trees this year. the Mulbery cuttings that were planted

in the garden behind my Hen House is dead.

one of the young Pomegranate Trees in the garden

is full of fruit. We have Preaching at the

Church regularly three times a month we also

have family prayers regularly every morning

We have not heard from Mr Powell since h

went home from here the first of July, but

we expect him here this week. I will do what I can

at cloathing the people my young Turkeys are

growing very fast I have 10 that are as large as a

Hen, and 10 smaller size which are growing very fast

I often think of you–and fear Sometimes that we

shall never meet again, but should we fail to meet

again on earth I hope that we shall meet in

heaven where parting shall be no more.

remember me to master Charles and to Benthrer[?]

and to all of my relatives and believe me

as ever your servant

Lucy Skipwith

Genl John H Cocke

P.S. Uncle R told me to say to you that P.H. Skipwith said

that he could sell the goats from $20 to $25 a piece provided

male & female to-gether.

Genl J.H Cocke

Lucy Skipwith was a slave trusted to manage one of John Hartwell Cocke’s Alabama plantations.

MSS 640

Dear Father
I received a letter from
you a few days ago, containing a check of the bank
of Va. at Lynchburg, for one hundred and thirty
dollars, and I am much obliged to you for sending
it to me. I had already written a letter to you
before receiving yours, giving you some account
of our battle at Rich Montain so far as I
had any certain knowledge of it, I saw a piece
in the newspaper from one, who said he was an
eye witness of the battle, in which it was stated that
the conduct of Col. Pegram was not only faulty as
a General but that he was wanting in personal
courage, or intimates as much. I have heard
officers who were present in the engagement
say, they never saw anyone cooler or braver,
and when under fire having fallen or jumped
from his horse his aid reported him dead to
Col. Scot, and gave up all hope of the battle
at his fall, I also received another letter from

[page 2]
you yesterday, in which you said there were
complaints of me in the county from my company,
as being harsh, and not attending properly to
the sick. In answer to the first charge, I would
say, that unless I had been strict in discipline
at all times when on duty, and exacted instant
obedience without question, I would not have
been able to have saved my company in the
retreat from Rich Mountain. I mentioned
in my last letter that no other captain could
move his company forward, when advancing
up the hill to attack the enemy, and none
other restrain them, when we commenced the
retreat, but I was obliged to hold my company
back and take the rear to prevent confusion,
this I could not have done if they had not
been accustomed to instant obedience, And
when, during our retreat from Rich Mount, we were in
two miles of Beverly, which was occupied by six thousand
of the enemy, and five thousand of them were
coming down upon or rear, they did not think
of a surrender, but obeyed instantly my order to
march across the fields, without even a path, toward
the mountain, with a guide totally unknown to us
and, who might have led us into the hands of the

[page 3]
enemy, but again when within thirty five miles
of Monterey and not more than forty five miles
from Staunton, my company wished to go to
Staunton thinking it probable that the enemy
might hold Monterey, I told them it was my
duty to go near enough to be certain of the fact.
They did not hesitate to folow me, Although
Capt. Jone’s company, which was along with us,
said they would go to Staunton, no matter
what their captain said or did, When I heard of
this mutinous conduct I stood out in front of
his company and told them all, that if I was
their captain and any man of them dared to
move toward Staunton without my order I
would blow his head off with my pistol, after a
little Capt. Jones came up to me and said I
was wright and that he would follow my advice,
we heard no more of Staunton on the rest of our
march. Some of the most relyable men in the
company told me that although most of the company
were disatisfied with my strict discipline in
Richmond and some time after we left, they
were convinced that they were saved at
Rich Mountain by it, and were well satisfied.
There are a few no doubt, who hate work and are

[page 3]
who are still disatisfied. As to the other charge
I understand it well. When we arrived at Mounter
Monterey, the rest of the regiment petitioned to
be allowed to retire to Staunton or Richmond,
And I refused to enter into the petition, or go
back without positive orders from the general.
This did not please some cowardly men in the company.
At that time they were sending back the sick
to Staunton every day, and I immediately
found fourteen sick men who petitioned to be
allowed to go to Staunton. I examined them and
sent two who were sick to Staunton, and told the
others that as I could see nothing in the world
the matter with them, I believed it was fear of
the yankees, and they should not move a
step. It does not take many men to make a
great noise. I had a warning against too great
levity in disipline last week, in Capt. Shoemakers
company. He is a very mild man, and has
a very badly disciplined company. They sent in
a request to him to resign saying, they could no
longer endure his harsh treatment. He commands
the Danville artilery company. Tom has not been
very well since the last few days, but he is better this
morning and I hope will soon be well again. I have
been well since I left Richmond and I think I have
fattened up since my retreat from Rich Mountain.
General Lee is over in our division, but none knows
what are his plans, or where or when he is going to move.
None of Gen Garrett’s command have been sent
forward, and we think, that distrusting us, reasonably, they
will not send us forward for some time.

Your affectionate son

Wm. B. Bruce

Captain, Co. K. 20th Virginia
MSS 2692

Dear Pa

You are somewhat surprised no doubt at not hearing
from me, as I have not written home for eight or ten days.
But it was not because I did not wish to, far from it. I
was prevented by sickness. I have been in bed very sick
for over a week living during that time almost exclusively
upon tea and toast made by Scott and Billy (Walter). I
am now beginning to get better though I am still very weak.
I hope soon though to recommense my regular duties. How
much I wish I could be with you all this evening though
such a thing as getting a furlough now is not to be talked
of except for those who are sick and they cannot get them
to go home but to the Hospital. Capt. Simpson told me he
could get me a furlough to go to the Hospital in F[ront].R[oyal]. but
he could not get it for over a day or two and I knew that
the fatigue going up and back for so short a time while I
was so sick would make me worse and therefore I did not ask
for one.

It would be such a pleasure to go through the
Vineyard Orchards and Corn Field. I hope the Vineyard is
doing well. It seems to me if I was home that would be
such a pretty business for me. Amos and myself sit down
and have some long talks about the Vineyards sometimes and
both of us wish that we were done soldiering. I read to
Amos what you said about his Vineyard. He filled up very
much and said he wished he could go and attend to them. I
feel very much for Amos for he loves those vines.

I don’t suppose Mr. Smedley has been taken away
from you has he. I should be very sorry if he had. I
don’t know how you would do without him. Give my respects
to him.

I heard that an order had been sent up the valley
for 600 wagons. I hope yours will not have to go.

Enclosed within this note which will be handed to
you by Mr. L. Bowen you will find $44.00 paid to me for my
services. Please take care of it for me but if you have
use for it use it. I wish I could send the boxes, basket
and my dirty clothes but I have no way of getting them to
the junction. They shall be sent by the first opportunity
which I hope will be soon.

Amos has just come in and requests me to ask you
about the cow. He is afraid you have forgotten to attend
to it. He says if he was there he could chat you for a
week.

A great many of the boys were very kind to me
while I was sick.

Sam Buck has just left, he is in the Thirteenth
Regiment.

I must close it fatigues me very much to write.
Write soon to me. Love to Ma and all the children. Write
soon and believe me to be ever

Your affec. Son

R[ichard] B[ayly] B[uck]

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, a sergeant (later lieutenant) in the Warren Rifles, 17th Va. Infantry.
MSS 3064