My dear Jennie

I have not time to write a letter
this morning–I have recd one from you
since your return in which you say
you want to go to Fincastle H. B before
the 9th I say go by all means. I now have
no expectation of going to Richmond until
after our regiment has been discharged
from the service at least not for some
time–We are all the time under
orders to march–Yesterday evening
all was reported quiet at Masons
& Munstons [i.e. Munson’s] Hills. I suppose we will
return there tomorrow–

Our Regiment is now being paid
off and the boys are in a fine
humor except that they cant think
of any way to spend their money
many of them are sending a part
home to their families & some boys
are sending it to their mothers.

Take care of yourselves & write to
me the day you start home.

Affectionately yours
E. T. H. Warren

[Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry]

MSS 7786-g

Dear Pa,

You no doubt wonder at my not having written to you since I left home as it has been a week to-day but I was prevented from so doing by sickness. I caught a cold the first night I went on guard, which was the second night after my arrival here. It fell in my jaw and was very painful to me. It is getting better but is still very painful. I hope though soon to be on duty again.

Smith and I reached here on the evening of the day we left Front Royal. Found the boys generally well but almost broken down by the fatigue of a long march of some ten or twelve miles which they have to take every few days to go on picket below Falls Church. Our entire regiment with the exception of a guard with some four or five other regiments left here this morning for Munsons Hill some distance below Falls Church. We can see from this point the Capitol, Alexandria and also the Potomac dotted with its little schooners. Can distinctly hear the cars when they come in Washington. Our men are closer now than they have ever been. We have taken possession of several very commanding positions within the last few days and the enemy have fallen back some three or four miles.

Our Regt. will be back in a few days. I hope to go with them the next time. I have not been down yet. Generals Beauregard, Longstreet and Cocke with their aids and a large escort of cavalry went down yesterday morning and returned in the evening. I am wiling to trust all to Gen. Beauregard all the troops have great confidence in him.

Please send my boots down by Jim Brown if they have been finished as these I have are not suitable for a long march. I have not heard from home since I left. Write soon and frequently. I must close. I remain as Ever your affec. son.

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

P.S. Please send my testament down by the first opportunity. It is up in my room. Col. King will give you the news from our boys on picket. I am very much pleased with our present encampment.

Richard Bayly Buck, 1844-1888, Co. B, 17th Virginia Infantry (Warren Rifles)

MSS 5526

[From the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guard]

5 o’clock A.M. Roll-call–Some of the wagons got up last night but ours did not until 9 this morning–all the forces (excepting our company, “Border Guard”, and several other companies not in a condition to travel) were put in motion toward the “Hawk’s Nest”–9 P.M. We learn that a part of our forces are encamped at the “Hawk’s Nest” to-night and found no enemy there, nor are there any, nearer than two miles of that place–our forces will advance upon “Gauley” to-morrow early.

MSS 38-221

Dear Father I thought I would write to you And let you know that i went before the Medical Department at Alexandria & they told me that i had better wate a week or two Longer to see whether the climate would not agree with Me & i suppose you would Like to know about George Brown & hear how he gets along Bleeds at the Lungs & has ever since has been here & the Medical Docters told him he had better stay here three months as the Climate Mite agree with him that is the kind of Docters that this Government has taken to attend to the overcrowded & Sick I dont want you to Look after me any Longer because I shall wait till the regiments goes home, which will be at home at the end of three months the reason that i think they will be home is that the Muster roll was not Made out right Capt Thomas told the Company that they was not Made out right And I want to know wether they can hold a regiment that is Not Made out right then there is only two Captains with this regiment that came out with us & at the end of the three Months the regiment will throw down their Guns they wont stand it any Longer to be kick round by the Officirs of this regiment any Longer wether they go to dry Torugas or not we know that People of the United States Pay enough for food but the Soldiers are cheated out of it, when you answer this letter I want you to send some Postage stamps to me & let me know what you think of dry Torgugas from you Son Joseph Leavitt

[Private in the 5th Maine]

Henry Goddard Thomas, 1837-1897, was Captain of Co. G, 5th Maine. He was mustered out after three months and served as a mustering and recruiting officer until 1863 when he became the Colonel of the 79th and then the 19th U[nited] S[tates] C[olored] R[egiments] He was reportedly the first officer of the regular army to accept the command of an African American regiment. He eventually commanded a brigade of four colored regiments in the XXV Corps and was breveted a Major General.

MSS 66

My darling wife

I have written you two letters since
my return to Masons Hill and I am
now writing a third which I am not
certain whether you will get it or not
as I have just been informed that all
mail is stoped for the next 10 days–if
this is true you will only hear from me
& I from you by such persons as may
be passing. This I will try and send
to Gordonsville by Lieut Houck–

I am again on duty as field officer
but dont expect to trouble the pickets
much to day I did not last night cer-
tain. I am very anxious to hear how
you got home, though I suppose very
safely for I learn that you were un-
der the care of Dr. Jones–I want to hear
what the children said & talked about
I have their hoops still in my tent
to remind me of their romp & hap-
piness as they ran down the hill &
round the camp. I made Billy tell
me over &over everything they & you said

[page 2]
and how you looked–and he tells it
all over. Sometimes he will commence to
tell it without my asking. But to tell
the truth I am glad you are all at home
for we are expecting orders every day
and I dont want to be compelled to
start again from camp & leave you
all behind.

I am just now ordered to go and
draw in one company of pickets–
the 13″ Reg [Va. Infantry] is ordered to Munstons [i.e. Munson’s]
Hill & will march imediately, and
as I must close this now to be
in time for the mail you must
be satisfied with a short letter
to day

Affectionately
E. T. H. Warren

[Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry]

John William Houck, Lieutenant, Co. G, 10th Virginia Infantary [John P. Mann, IV

[annotations by John P. Mann, IV]
MSS 7786-g

My darling Jennie

I dropt you a line yesterday im-
ediately on my arrival here but had no time
to give you the particulars of our expedition
We arrived at our destination about 9 O clock
the night we left camp. Masons Hill is situated
about 2 1/2 miles N. E. of Annandale which is
about 8 miles from Fairfax Ct H in the di-
rection of Alexandria- Masons Hill is a bea-
utiful eminence, the residence of Capt Mason
late of the U S Navy. It is as elevated as Mon
ticello–from it we had a full view of the
capitol at Washington & a large number of
the enimies camps. Munstons [sic] Hill which
is fortified & occupied by our troops is about
1 1/2 miles beyond [?]the enimies right, and
is a more important position than Masons
Hill. From our position we posted in
a half circle 1 1/2 miles in front a very
strong picket the out posts of which are
so near the enimy that the men repor
ted that they could hear them call their
Roll. From our position you might readi-
ly suppose that our pickets would frequently

[page 2]
have an opportunity of exchanging compliments
with the yankeys and such was the fact, every
hour or so we would hear a volley fired either
by our men or at them–The next day after
we arrived it continuing to rain very little
was done–but early next morning Major Wal
ker who was field officer of the day discovere
d
while posting his pickets, that the yankeys oc-
cupied a house not over 400 yards from our pick
et–from which they were reconontering[sic] our
position. Walker returned to camp and
got 17 volunteers & routed them completely
although they had double his number. He
killed 2 & probably 3 of them & wounded
others who made their escape. Walker acted
very bravely indeed–that evening one of capt
Youngs men brought down another at a dis-
tance of 400 yds & brought off his gun & blanket.
The next morning the Yankeys with 100
picked men attempted to supprise the pick
et commanded by Capt Chrisman & Covington[?]
our men were too smart for them again
and opened fire on them the moment
they made their appearance killing 2 &
from the blood left on the ground wound-
ing several others–In all this we lost
not a man
nor had we
neither killed
or wounded immediately after this last little

[page 3]
break we left for our old camp–but I have
since learned that after we left the Enimy
sent in a flag asking leave to bury their
dead 7 in number. From the time we left
until Thursday evening it Rained incessant
ly. The night we got there I did not pretend to
eat supper but just laid down as I was with
guns suit shoes spurs & everything else on and
slept till morning. I did not get really dry
until friday about noon and am only surp-
rised that I did not get sick–our men were de-
lighted with the position & the spirit of killing yan-
keys. But it was no fun to me–I could not help
thinking every moment of those I left in my tent–Oh
my darling I am really sorry you all came down for
before I only wanted to see you now it is worse and
besides I cant but feel so sorry for you all after all your
trouble to get to see so little of me–Tell Jim
that Papa saw the yankeys & that the men shot
& killed some of them, and papa did not get
hurt this time–the truth is Papa was not close
enough to be hurt. I Recd your letter left here
for me, and it made me feel mighty sorry for
you I tell you, but must say I am satisfied
you did right to leave for since our Return
we have Recd orders to hold ourselves in readiness
to Return at a moments notice.

[page 4]
In relation to your sending my overcoat
I have concluded to get me one made–the
one I have will not turn water a half
hour–I will want for winter a suit of
homemade goods including the overcoat &
will hereafter send a discription of the
material & the way I want them made.
I dont want you to go to Harrisonburg
for 10 days yet–for I am going to try the
Richmond trip again

Love to all kiss the children
Ever yours

E. T. H. Warren

Munstons Hill a misspelling of Munson’s Hill
Major Walker: Samuel T. Walker, Major of the 10th Va. Infantry
capt Youngs: William Townsend Young, Captain, Co. K, 10th Va. Infantry
Capt Chrisman: George H. Chrisman, Jr., Captain, Co. H, 10th Va. Infantry
Covington: William D. C. Covington, Captain, Co. I, 10th Va. Infantry

[with thanks to John P. Mann IV for the above identifications]
[Colonel of the 10th Virginia Infantry]

[MSS 7786-g]

[from the diary of Eugene M. Cox of the Albemarle Border Guards]

Had an alarm last night–all fell promptly into line–the alarm proved false and we were taken to qrs. and dismissed–Sunday dawns upon us again and as usual we have marching orders–8 1/2 A.M. We were ordered to be ready at this hour, to move we know not where–Between 9 and 10 A. M. regiment was put in motion and head of Column turned in the direction of Summerville–arrived within on mile of “Gauley River” (McVey’s Ferry) by 1 o’clock P. M. –here we halted for a while–15 yankee prisoners taken by some of Genl. Floyd’s forces passed us here–they were being taken to the interior–In consequence of some order from Genl. Floyd we had to retrace our steps–This gave general dissatisfaction to men and officers–Genl. Wise here appeared before us (1st reg.) and addressed us as follows;–“Men of the 1st regiment of my legion, I appear before you to say that we have been marched here twice to no purpose and that with the help of your arms I am determined to encamp at the “Hawk’s Nest” this very night.” this expression brought out deafening applause from the men–at about 2 P.M. head of Column turned about and directed toward the “Hawk’s Nest”, all bouyant at the thoughts of making a little dash–It was a long march to commence at so late an hour–a distance of 15 or 16 miles, without dinner and having marched 8 miles in the foe noon–Proceeded on our toilsome march–reached “Dogwood Gap” by sun down–here we were ordered to stop for the night–weary and broken down we threw ourselves upon the ground tentless and supperless to rest until our provision wagons should come up–The wagons were much delayed in turning around and by narrow and very bad roads–it is doubtful whether they will get up with us before tomorrow. Sic transit Sabbath–

MSS 38-221

My dear Ma;

As I c’d not get my letter off yesterday I will

write a little more to you this morning just to let you know what I’ve

been doing since my return to camp. We were excused from all drills

Friday as ^‘we’ were so much fatigued. We were reviewed Friday evenin^’g’

by Gen. Longstreet & staff & Gen. Elzy. Perhaps I ought not to tell tales out

of school, but can hardly help speaking of old Elzy, he was so drunk

on dress parde review that he c’d hardly set on his horse & just before he

got to the ground I saw him have a tremendous fall from his horse; he gets

drunk nearly every day now, I wish we c’d get rid of him.

We had inspection yesterday & Battalion drill & dress parade in

the evening; a letter ^’to Col Hill’ was read on dress parade from Col Stuart compli-

menting us very much for our conduct at Munson’s hill. We heard yes-

terday that they had been skirmishing near Minson’s ever since we left.

There seems to be a general movement among with the troops now, they’ve

moved up higher from about Centeville, Fairfax CH & all around here. I w’dn’t

be surprised at our moving at any time, but we w’d not move very far

I know…I was very sorry I did n’t see Uncle James. We miss Wm.

Russel very much, used to see a great deal of him. I wish Pa c’d get

over to see us, a good many citizens have been here lately, but I reckon

all of them had business….the box by Granville Mason[?] came saf

safely, the birth cake was very nice & I am very much obliged for it.

My best love to Ada & thank her for the nice present she sent me.

Thank Sister for them…..Tell Sister & Miss Daisy that we passed Falls

Church, & I saw their Bro. Reid’s church & the people there told Henry Chiles

[page 2]

that Reid was a notorious rascal & he is now at the North..

Bro Jno. received a letter from Sister Page yesterday written Wednesday.

We’ve not had the yesterday’s mail, but will get it this morning.

Henry Chiles say’s he got the worth of some of y’r money in Reid’s church,

for it sheltered him from the rain one night, Henry says the count^‘r’y

about Falls Church is not quite as poor as Mr. Reed said it was, for it is a

better country than Louisa. I must now stop so as to get this in the

mail in time. Excuse all mistakes & bad writing. All are well. Our best

love to all at home & every body at Louisa CH, to Nancy & Co.

Your devoted & most aff. son

Edloe

P. S. Please have Pen’s & my old hats sent by the first opportunity, & some

some soap. Best love to Cap. Murray & tell him we are get[t]ing on finely &

can still beat anything on the ground drilling. Let me hear from Joe

Brooks when ever you can; I feel very unea^‘s’y about him.

Ed



General Arnold Elzey, 1816-1871, a veteran of both the Seminole campaign and the Mexican War, had recently been promoted brigadier by Jefferson Davis on the field at First Manassas. He distinguished himself in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862 and the Seven Days at Richmond where he was severely wounded. Upon recovering he was promoted to Major General and given command of Dept. of Richmond where he organized a local defense brigade of government clerks.

[Cpl. William J. Brooks, discharged 5/22/61 “for unsoundness of body”.]

MSS 13407

My Dear Creek

As Mr Sherrard starts for home in the morning

I avail myself of the opportunity of writing you by him,

I received yours of the 25th inst yesterday, and was very happy

to hear that you were all well when it left, I am sorry that

I have not been able to write you as often as usual lately, since

we moved here, the mails have been very iregular, we being

about 14 miles from Manassas Junction, and owing to

the great ammount of rainy weather we have had

lately the roads have been almost impassable so

that we have not had the same opportunity of mailing

them, but we have now got the cars runing within

four miles of us, at Fairfax Station and can get them

mailed every day which is a great conveniance to us,

this however is the third or fourth letter (I dont recollect

which) I have written you since Stoneman started, one of them

I sent by Col. Taylor of Pendleton, the others I mailed, I

also wrote one to Jink and sent by mail, I hope you have

got them all by this as I know you are anxious to hear

from me, I can tell this by myself for when the mail

comes to camp I cant help going to see if their is not one

from you for me, although I may have olny got one

the day before, you dont know how eagerly I read your

letters, over and over and when they are several days old

I will read them again, and when we are ordered to

[page 2]

March in hope of meeting the enemy it always makes

me cry to have to tear them all up, we all make a rule of

this for fear any of them might fall into the hands of

the Yankees, and give them information which ought to [be]

kept from them, but for this I would bring them all back

home with me, I believe I wrote you in my last that I

had recieved the bundle, which you sent by warren it got

here some days before him, he being detained at Culpeper

as he says on account of sickness and a sore thumb

which he got mashed coming on, I am very sorry to say

that he is still the same old man yet, he has scarcely

drawn a sober breath since he came back here, where he

gets Liquor I cant tell, I thought the untimely death

of his brother and the dreadful Battle he has come

through would have made a different impression on

him but it is not the case, and, I am afraid there is

no hope for him, do not make this public about

Anderson as it might tend to hurt the feelings of

Jam’s Widow.

Their is nothing of interest going on here at present every thing

is quiet, the health of the Regt. is any thing but good yes,

you need have no apprehension of my taking measels as

I have had them, and small pox, both, should little

Maggie take them, you must be very careful of her, for it

would kill me if anything was to happen her, I must close

as I have to go to duty all night and will not be back to camp

before morning, Adieu dear Creek May heavens richest

Blessings rest on you, think of your affectionate Husband

William

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

MSS 10366

Dear Father I thought I would write to you to day as the Company Has gone on Picket on the Mount Vernon Road which is about Four Miles from Camp & as I suppose that you would like To hear that Mr Fearson has been appointed Second Lieutenant in this Company & that he [is] liked by All of the Men in the Company Genl. McLellan was here the other day to see the Brigade & when he came to the Fifth Maine Regiment he said they were a hardy set of men that he ever saw There has been sent out every day A squad of all the Regiments in the Brigade to cut down the woods about her & they have cut them down around for three Miles so that they came Build a fort Since we have been here the Pickets have Brought in Five or six Nigars that has been sent out as spies day before yesterday the New York 16 Regiment Brought in a team that had three women in it & they had them Sirched and found Letters directed to Jefferson Davis & Beauregard & others in the Souhtern Army we have been under marching this two days & whe expect to be attack so that we have To be under Arms every day & night, there is a Lawsuit going on in Washington about this Regiment Concerning wether we are in three years of Three months they say we are not reorganized by the Government & that they Cannot hold us & the men of this Regiment are Bound to Fight it Out whether they are or not if they would take the Regiment home to be reorganized they would find that about every man would Come Back you need not look for me till the Regiment Comes home because I think they will Be home in three months, I will put some of the dead & wounded down, uninjured is Richardson H.G. Buzzle, Alonzo Stinson (dead) Albert Holland, N. B. I wish you would send some Portland Papers to me so that i can see what is going on in Portland the reason that I dont write is that i Cant Get Postage Stamps to send them they dont Frank the Envelopes now And i cannot get in town to By them this is the last Frank Envelope that i have got But i have plenty of the others And Send some Papers will you & cake you can Send them By express Because the Boys have Cake sent to them By their Folks By express So be Shure to send them remember by express From you Son Joseph Leavitt

Letters from Joseph Leavitt of the 5th Maine and his brother George of the 5th New York were copied into a ledger by their father John Leavitt in 1865. Both boys were mortally wounded int he war, George at Second Bull Run, August 30, 1862 and Joseph at Spotsylvania, May 18, 1864.



MSS 66