(Private)

My dear Eugene [Davis]

Your letter of the 20th inst.
received this morning informing me that
you were rapidly improving, gave me pecu=
liar gratification, as I had just this morning
been told by a gentleman just from Charlottes-
ville, that he understood you were “very low”, and
I was very uneasy about you. I had been in-
tending to write for a long time to Euginie how
you were getting on, but my unfortunate and
hereditary tendency to procrastination in such
matters has prevented me hitherto. I do earnestly
pray that your health & live, always precious to
your friends, and now, peculiarly valuable
to your country, may be spared & restored.

And now, as to the matter of your res=
ignation. You may remember, that, when at
Manassas, the first open demonstration of the
Troop’s dissatisfaction with you, was made that
I told you that whatever should be your course
in reference to it, I would as long as I could
conscientiously stand by you, and then, when

[page 2]
after conference with your friends, you
determined not to accede to the request
then made of you by the Troop, I and your
other Officers, with the lights then before us, acknow=
ledged the propriety of your course, and assured
you of our purpose to stand by you, and to sup=
port your rightful authority. But in addition,
and privately, I told you, that whatever your fate
shd. be in commission with that matter, I would
share it. If you resigned, I would likewise. That
after all that had passed, I would not con=
sent, should you see fit thereafter to resign in
consequence of the ill-feeling of the Troop towards
you, to occupy the position of your probable suc=
cessor, under such circumstances. This I
have since repeated, while I was in Albemarle
to Staige, I believe, and others, our mutual friends
with whom I conferred with respect to your
position & relations with the Troop. This is still
my feelings. But I understand from your
letter, that your failing health and the uncer=
tainty of your being able to undergo the hard=
ship & exposure, incident to this service, are
the immediate cause of your resignation.
Now, I will say to you, with the utmost frank=

[page 3]
ness, that I don not covet the responsi=
bilities & cares of a command; but at
the same time, I wish to do what I
may to serve the Country, and of course
would prefer to do so, enjoying the advantage
of an official position, if it comes along
in the right way. If I am not mistaken
then, in my understanding of your letter, I
do not conceive, that I should be doing
violence to our lifelong friendship, not com=
promising my own character as an honor=
able men, in abiding as I am, and accept-
ing the Captaincy, should it be the pleasure
of the Troop to confer it on me. If, however
I have misunderstood you, I hope and
believe you will say so, and I can shape
my course accordingly. You will of course
notify me of the acceptance of your res=
ignation, as an election cannot be had till
that is done.

Tom Randolph before he dropped a-
sleep desired me to give his love, and say he
was much gratified to hear of your improving
health. Geiger is at home on furlough, but will
return Monday. Ford cordially writes with
Randolph in the expression of his sentiments.

[page 4]
Most of the Troop are generally absent on picket.
The duty is right hard as we have a long line
to guard and not sufficient force to do it
with ease. There are Five Troops in this
Brigade. Two of them are posted at Waterford
seven miles from Leesburg & the pickets connect
with Ashby’s at Harper’s Ferry. All these troops
except Mead’s Loudoun Cavalry, are from our
Regt. Ours, Graves’, Alexander’s & Blackford’s
Until two or three days ago we were under command
of Lt. Col. Jenifer, a very gallant gentleman and the
real hero of the battle of Leesburg. But Munford
has been sent to take command. Jenifer is
made full Colonel and is ordered to Floyd
which thing he hates, as he is very busy courting
hereabouts. Miss Carry Mason being the
charmer.–Our sick boys are slowly coming
in. But I forget you are weak & weary you.
Give my love to your Mother & all dear
friends.

May God bless & preserve you dear
Eugene.
Ever your friend,
F.E.G. Carr

F. E. G. Carr, 1st Lieut, Co. K, (the Albemarle Light Horse) 2nd Virginia Cavalry

Eugene Davis, 1822-1894, Captain, Co. K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Thomas J. Randolph, 2nd Lieut., Co. K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
George H. Geiger, 3rd Lieut, Co. K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Charles Henry Ford, 1st Sergeant, Co. K, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Thomas Taylor Munford,1831-1916, Lt. Colonel, 2nd Virginia Cavalry
Walter H. Jenifer, Colonel, 8th Virginia Cavalry

MSS 7690-h

[from the diary of Francis G. Hale of the 34th Ohio Zouaves\

I did not feel very well
this morning but soone
got over it I came near
having to go on guard
for not being on roll
call but I did not
there was a a part of boys
went out on a scout
they was about 18 miles
from camp there was two
virginians along the
camped in 2 1/2 miles from
one fellows home he started
to go hom had got near
there whe[n] a bushwhacker
shot him in the mouth
and killed him dead
they buried him there
it rained today a lot

MSS 13405

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, private and musician in the 23rd Ohio]

No Dress parade
prepared stool to Set[?]
on. practiced some this
afternoon, recieved packages
of papers from Home
partly clear. Threatens Rain

MSS 10317

[from the diary of F. Alfred Welton, musician and private in Co. D. of the 9th Indiana]

Our scouts reported that the
bridge across Greenbriar River
was burned during the day, and
the supposed retreat of the
rebels.

MSS 2822

[from the diary of Wesley Hammond of the Dixie Greys, Co. E. of the 42nd Virginia Infantry]

Day very rainy. Do nothing but
stay in tent.

MSS 5526

[from the diary of Francis G. Hale of the 34th Ohio Zouaves]

I came of guard about
9 oclock got my breakfast
had tea for breakfast
it tasted first rate it
is the first we have had
for a long time then
I went in and went
to sleepe slept til noon
came out got my dinner
waked up and walked
out a while for my
healt saw a couple of
boys have a fight about
a case knife one fellow
took it from the other there
was two men had a muss
one got his eye blacked
the other went in the
guard house for I do not
know how long took the ones stripes of

MSS 13405

[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton of the 23rd Ohio]

Played as usual, went
this morning and procured
Straw for Beds which we
arranged upstairs. Knapsacks
came in today. Foot[?] came in
Gilett brought Trunk & cooking uten
sils. Wrote letter to Eliza Clear pleasant.

Private James Foot?

MSS 10317

Mrs Carrington

I have just received your note
in reference to Howe’s application for the vacancy
in Randolph Macon & I will cheerfully do
all I can for him by writing to Rev Mr Cowles
of Petersburg by the next mail. He is one of the
most influential members of the Board of Trus
tees. Candour compels me to say to you how
ever that I can scarcely hope that Howe will
be successful, for I consider the appointment
as already virtually made. Sectarianism, I
am informed, has triumphed over the better judg=
ment of a number of the Trustees & they have
determined that the first requisite in the new
appointee shall be membership in the Methodist
Church. Again, under, what I am forced to
call, the senseless management of the President,
the department has been practically changed

[page 2]
into a Military chair with (a little) math
ematics attached & hence they want “a man
of thorough military education.” In other words
the President a few others have become some
what fanatical on the subject of military in-
struction in the college, while another consid-
erable portion of the Board have determined to
support no one but a Methodist for the
place & these parties have joined & agreed
to go for a “Methodist military” man. I ob-
tained this information direct from the col-
lege within the last three weeks & I consid[er]
it reliable. Mr. Blankens;hip, a graduate of
the V.MN. Institute & Prof. Math in the Meth-
odist college at Lynchburg, has I understand
virtually received the appointment.

Could I see Howe I am sure I could pre-
vent him from making application for the place
for without going into details I will simply
say that I cannot conscientiously advise
any friend of mine to accept, much less

[page 3]
to apply for, a post in Randolph Macon
College under its present administration. I
would not have returned to the place this session even
if I had not gotten an appointment here.

As I have already said, I shall neverthe
less, write to Mr Cowles, because Howe is
an applicant.

With much respect
I am truly yours
R. T. Massie

Mrs Eliza H. Carrington

MSS 9380

[from the diary of Harrison B. Jones of the 33rd Virginia]

To day we moved our
camp about four miles
North of Winchester, we
worked hard this evening
fixing up our tent &
beds.

MSS 14169

Dear Cousin [Nannie Montgomery Tate]

I signified my intention, in a
former note, of making a second acknowledgement
of your long and interesting missive, just as soon
as the leisure of the times would permit, but
a physical indisposition, which has for some
days consigned me to the list of inefficients,
coupled with the want of any news that would
merit your perusal, induced a delay which I
now hasten to arrest with all the spirit and
rapidity that my present feelings and conven=
ience will allow.

I presume you have been apprised ere this
of our late retreat from Cotton Hill, which in
consequence of a want of transportation for the
large number of sick, was attended with con=
siderable loss of property.

Against the unanimous wishes of the officers,
who, I understand, even petitioned the War Depart
ment for permission to withdraw to a more suit=
able position, Gen. Floyd, with a mere handful
of efficient men, remained encamped for three
or four weeks at Cotton Hill and even contem=
plated wintering in the very jaws of an over=
whelming force of the enemy. It was only a de=
lusion of our strength that prevented their attack
ing us sooner for the prisoners state that, until

[page 2]
a few days previous to their crossing the river,
they were under the impression that our strength
was some 28,000 whilst I do’nt suppose we had
2800 efficient men. The Gen. was seemingly con=
vinced that between him and the enemy there
was a “great River fixed” whose attempted crossing
would be attended with a “can not”, but on the
night of the 10th inst, some 100 Yankees, instigated
no doubt, by the same individual who upon one
occasion successfully attempted a similar feat,–
trusting to a “strong rebuff” ventured upon the peril=
ous route, and, wonderful to speak, effected a safe
landing. They had scarcely recovered from self-admir
ation of this bold adventure before they came in
contact with some watchful but less venturesome
spirits who had been stationed there to foil their
purposes. A short skirmish ensued which resulted
in the loss of two killed, several wounded and 6
prisoners. This daring feat relieved the Gen. of his
former belief, and early on the following morning he
fell back 3 miles, and commenced preparing to receive
an attack. They did not come on that day, but on the
day following they came over in great numbers. On
the evening of that same day the pickets had a skermish
with the loss of one or two killed on both sides. On
the same night we fell back 8 miles this side of Fayette
ville to prevent being surrounded. On the following morning
as the Brigade was moving off the enemy’s Pickets
attacked our rear guard, in which engagement Col.
Crone of the cavalry was killed and two or three privates

[page 3]
wounded. Without further pursuit by the enemy
the Gen. continued to “retire sullenly” until he reached
Piney Creek, 3 miles this side of Raleigh Court House
where he is at present stationed. His men are without
tents and many of them without blankets.

Having been quite unwell for several days previous
to the retreat, the Surgeon advised me to go to Fayetteville
where I went in company with John Crockett who
was also complaining. We remained here until the
general retreat began, when we came on together to
Raleigh Court House. Here John remained to join
the Brigade, but I came on to this place, where all
the sick were brought. At our first encampment,
after leaving Raleigh, I was surprised on waking
in the morning to find the earth robed in univer=
sal white of several inches thickness. I began to be
deeply impressed with Bonapartes retreat.
It was indeed a sad spectacle to witness the suffering
of some poor fellows who were entirely helpless
on the night of our second encampment, after
leaving Raleigh, two of our men died, one of whom
was from our county, Robert Bunt. The roads were
excessively rough and the men suffered greatly from
the jolting of the wagons. It appears to me that the
whole affair has been badly mismanaged but upon
this I indulge no remarks. Or Gens movements
seem to be involved in mist, and have so far
resulted in the same. What the Gen. intends doing
now I cannot learn but as he has rather distin
guished himself for “Big retreats” I could wish, so far

[page 4]
as creature comforts are concerned, and, if not too
detrimental to the cause that he would return to the Rail
Road; but I think it more than probable that he will
winter over here somewhere.

The idea of wintering over here will be a death knell
to many a poor fellow who expected to have his “duo
in uno” consummated this winter, but as I am not
connected with the future by any bright hopes, I can
endure it with considerable fortitude; yet I should
be delighted to pay my friends a visit.

You impute to me what seems to be a deduction
of your own in accusing me of feeling no interest
in the young ladies of the immediate neighborhood.
It was a mere question of fancy and not of interest
that we were upon one occasion discussing, for
I can assure you that the latter often lord it over
the former.

The old “Ironsides” are getting along only tol=
erably well and if you could see them now you
would not believe that they seriously belie their
Self-adopted “Soubriquet”, especially in that super=
ficial transition which such metal is known to
undergo when exposed for a time to the oxidizing
influence of a damp atmosphere.

The Capt. was complaining some when I left the
Brigade. Lieut. Painter has not been seen in the branch
lately which is a certain indication of his health.
Lieut. Robinson and the Orderly are enjoying fine
health. The latter speaks of going home soon pro=
vided he can get a furlough. Lieut. Robinson is here at present

[page 5]
but will return to the army shortly; He is acting
as Quarter master in Capt. Tates absence. His taste
does not seem to run in a military line. He has
been acting as clerk in the Quartermaster depart=
ment almost ever since he came into the army.

We have several privates sick at this place, but
none, I think, dangerously so. We have lost two
men by fever since we entered the service.

I do not wish to impose too much sympathy
upon you, but a sick man has a hard time of
it in the army. They often die from pure neglect
or incompetency of the surgeon. When I was taken
sick at Cotton Hill owing to a want of con=
fidence in the surgeons of our Regiment, I post=
poned taking any medicine for several days, but fin=
ding myself gradually declining I sent for Dr. Gleaves,
under whose prescription I improved rapidly.

I am considerably reduced and still weak, but
if I could get something good to eat I think
I would be well in a few days. Even in this town
it seems impossible to get any delicacy fit for
a sick man to eat. There are about six or eight
hundred sick at this place, and they have
caused a famine in the delicacies already.

We draw and cook our rations here just as tho’
we were in the army, and you can form some
conception of its preparation.

Reuben Sayers is here at present, and has a son
sick who I fear will not recover. Craig Carter
is also here. He came to see his nephew who is also

[page 6]
sick. He however has not arrived yet.

I heard that Kelly Bennetts was sick at Raleigh
Court House but I could not find him as I came
through. I met Crockett Graham going on to
see Wythe, as I came here but it is probable that
Wythe was on the late expedition with Col.
Clarkson down on Guyandotte. He (not Wythe) made quite
a brilliant dash down there. He captured 45
equipped horses, 250 Enfield rifles, 96 prisoners
and killed from 30 to 50 of the enemy.

I heard that Capt. Thompson of the “Smith
Dragoons” had his thigh broken in the engage=
ment, but of the particulars I know nothing.

Various rumors are continually afloat here
from other parts of the world, from which
I find it impossible to sift the truth. As few
of them ever assume anything like of a substan=
tial form we have to be very cautions how we receive
them. I want you to answer just as soon as
you receive this. Hoping that you will excuse
this “passum in multo” without further apology

I will subscribe
Myself Yours &c
“Iron Side”

[William Hanson Tate]

P.S. I am not informed as to what point will
be chosen for our Post Office; so you can direct
your letter to the 51st Regiment Va Vol Floyds Brigade.

P. S. again. I hear from a source that commands some cdegree
onfidence that the 50th and 51st Regs are on the march for
Peterstown to take up winters Quarters.

MSS 9232-n