Dear Ma

No doubt you all wonder at my long silence as I have not written home for nearly two weeks but indeed i have not had time for since we returned from Pickett I have been so busy that i have not had time to write. When I have not been on the trenches I have been on Division drill which commences about dinner time and lasts until Sun down. Besides Willie, Scott and myself have commenced to build our little shanty in which we hope to spend the Winter but about the time we finish it we may probably be compelled to leave as the movements n the army are so uncertain. It is so very cold in our tents that some of the boys are at work on their houses today, Sunday.

You will receive by the bearer of this note Willie Jackson a haversack with my dirty clothes in it also some summer socks and a pair of gloves. Please keep them at home and send down my other other clothes in the haversack as soon as they are washed. I intend making an arrangement to send up my dirty clothes every week in a haversack and get you to have them washed as it is getting too cold to wash out doors.

I received the bag of vegetables and clothes set by Amos, many thanks to you and Pa for them. The can of peaches was also received. Willie, Scott and myself intend going over to Head Quarters this evening and eating them with the boys.
I have packed my box and labeled it but I can not get to the Junction to have it sent off on the freight. I will try and have it sent up soon.

You ask me if I have any idea of coming home Christmas. I would like very much to do but there is no possible chance of my doing so. My time will be up next April then I hope to come home and stay some time. What are the folks about Warren going to [drive’?] at Christmas.

When did you hear from Walter? Tell him he must write to me. he has never written to me yet.

What is Pa driving at on the farm? How was his corn this season? I must close. Willie sends his love to all, Scott would do so too but he is not in. Give my love to Cousing Mount E. & M. Love to all. Write soon.

Ever your affec. son
R.B.B.

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

[transcribed from a later copy]

MSS 3064

Dear Cousin

I received your
kind and interresting letter
a few days ago. I was verry
glad to hear from you all
and also to hear from my
sweet hearts. I want to see
them verry bad indeed tho
I dont think thare is eny
chance for me to git a
furlow, the Col has prom
ised to let the married
men get home when he
gets in to winter quarters,
I hird this morning that
our Regiment was going to
move to Gainsville this
week to fix thar winter
quarters, that is about 12 miles
from here back to wards Winches
ter rite on the Rail road

[page 2]
I expect to stay here until
thay get fixed up, and then
thay will move the bagage
to the Regiment I like
to stay here verry well
I get extra pay and have
a lighter task than I would
if I were at the Regiment
I think thay have
given out fighting
at Centrevill this win
ter, I saw a gentleman
the ther day just from
Washington he said h
did not think the yankees
would try us at here
eny more, the yankees took
him prisner the 13 of last July
and kept him until last
week, he said his fair was
verry rough indeed, and he
said thay was 60,000 sick yankees
in Washington

[page 3]
Thay was too men shot
at Centreville last week for
trying to kill thar Commanding
offiser. thay I understood thay
gave the Romancatholic
Priest 25 dollars apeace to save
thar souls.
I cant think of any thing to
write that will interest you
so I will come to a close
write soon, give my best respects
to all inquiring frends and share
a good portion for your self
tel cousin Elizaann Williams
to write to me,
you must speak a heap er good
words to the ladies for me
in the Christmas
Write soon to your cousin
James Booker
to Miss C[hloe] U[nity] Blair

James Booker and his twin brother John both served in the 38th Virginia Infantry, the Whitmell Guards

MSS 11237

Winchester Dec 15 1861
My Darling Wife
As this is the day which, in
part, I have been accustomed to devote to a letter home
I will write a short one though I have nothing
special to write about and it was only day before
yesterday my last was written. Life in camp is
generally dull with me and I feel especially dull
to day. I have sometimes had a job such as road-
making at Centreville or my late excursions to the Po-
tomac which kept me busy enough, but these
only happen now and then, and but for them
my life would be idle enough I am sure. When
here in camp it really seems that I have no way of
employing myself. I sometimes think I would even
prefer a more active campaign winter as it is.
With my stock of bed clothes I think I could sleep
quite comfortable even at this season in a
fence corner, but it would not be so comfort-
able to the soldiers who are not so well

[page 2]
provided with such means of a comfortable
nights rest. If the weather continues open and
the cold not too severe I think it possible we may
have some activity in our operations this winter.
But of this no one can speak with any certainty
but Jackson and even he with but little as
his operations depend upon contingencies over
which he has no control.
I sometimes look to the future with much despon-
dency. I think most of our volunteers will quit the
service when their year expires and the news which
I get from Rockbridge gives me little reason to
hope that many more will volunteer to fill the
places thus made vacant in our army. If they
come at all I fear it will be by compulsion. I fear
there are more who are disposed to speculate off
our present troubles and turn them to pecuniary
profit, than there are to sacrifice personal
comfort and pecuniary interest, and risk life
itself for the promotion of our cause. My judge
ment dictates to me to pursue the path which I

[page 3]
believe to be right and to trust that the good deed
may meet with its just reward. Nothing else could
induce me to bear this sad separation from my
darling wife and dear little children. This distresses
me – I care nothing for the exposure and hardships of
of the service. But Love I should be more cheerful and
if sometimes oppressed with a feeling of sadness should
try suppress it from you, for I should try and detract
nothing from your happiness, which I fear I do in
writing in so sad a strain.
And now Love Good-bye again. I shall be glad indeed
to hear that you are out of your bed, and happier still
to know by a letter in your own familiar hand that
you are nearly well and out of danger. When the
winter sets in so cold that there can be no probable
use for my services here I shall try and get leave
to spend a week with you at home. I don’t
think that snow can keep off much longer
A kiss to the children for me and my kind regards
to Annie Helen & Mary Ever Yours
E.F. Paxton
[Most of the above letter appears in Civil War Letters of General Frank “Bull” Paxton.]

[transcription by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 2165

[from the diary of Jesse Calvin Spaulding, Co. F, 25th Massachusetts]

Got up at half past six cleaned
up our quarters rolled up our
blankets, got our breakfast of boiled beef
and coffee, and then came inspection
we then unslung knapsacks and marched
down to the city to escort the 24th Mass
to their camp ground. Got back about noon
I was almost tired out when we got
back and lay down on the straw till I got
dinner, which was of beefsteak and hard
bread. We have a days ration of bread
delivered at noon. attended services
at one, and then read &c til half past
four, when we had dress parade.
This evening I staid in the sergeants
tent nearly all the evening, Feel about
used up with cold. It is pretty uncom-
fortable now on account of cold weather
Coffee for supper

MSS 11293

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

I came of guard this
morning pretty nigh
froze for it was awfull
cold we had generl
inspection on the
Guyan River to day
we was out about
2 hours marching
round and showing
off I feele very well
to day I was very
sleepy though the
boys are all tolerable
well there is not many
in the hospittal now
the boys are having
their fun with
one another in
their way of all the
cuting up you ever saw

MSS 13405

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

Played for review of the
Brigade also for the Guard mounting
and funeral of a member of Co B
also Dress parade–Jeff came in today
received letter from Ella Dinsmore
mostly clear very fine day

MSS 10317

Dear parents

I received your last letter in
due time and was glad to hear you was well
and getting along so well much better than
I expected. I have not got my picture taken
yet for every time I have been out
to the psaloon [photographic salon] it has been full I shall get
it taken as soon as I can I want to get
my new dress coat first we are expecting
them every day. We recieved your basket I
knew it as soon as I saw it and the bag
of apples Phebe Nash sent and also thoes that
James Strout sent and all the rest that
was put in for us. I do not think it will
pay to send the basket back and it is very
usefull to us to bring chips and wood to

[page 2]
burn if you need one you can buy it cheaper
than I can send it home. I am glad to hear
that Walter is so much interested in taking
care of the calves and other things and I
am also glad he has got some new boots to
wear t his winter and I hope he will continue
to be a good boy. I have mad arraingements
to send $8 dollars per month to Portland
by the paymaster to be on interest untill
it is taken out it will be in the hands
of the city treasurer I thought this
would be the safest way to get my money
home some of our boys have lost money
by sending it home in a letter and if
you need any money you will have to
make out a reciept and get some one to
sign it so he may know you are the
person and you can send or go yourself
and gt the amount of 8 dollars per month
I may have some more to send home
if I do I shall send it in a letter
I believe I wrote to you that we got into our
log tents with our canvass tents over them
for a roof if I did not I wrote to

[page 3[
James Strout about it they are as tight
and warm as any house we are all four of
us writing to day for we have something
of rare importance to write. I witnessed
a scene last Friday that was solemn in the
extreem it was this a man shot for desertion
I will tell you the particulars as far as I
know This man enlisted last Aug in the
Lincon cavalry from N.Y. and one day he
was out scouting he managed to escape
from his comrads and made his way twords
the rebels lines. he met an officer which
he thought was a rebel he rode up to the
officer and told him his intention and
gave information that would be of
great advatage to the rebels the officer
then arrested him and brought him back
he was tried condemned to be shot on the
day of execution he rode round in front
of all the Regts in this division in an
open carraige with his coffin then he was
marched to an open space in view of all the
troops and shot there was twelve men picked
out of his own company to shoot him

[page 4]
there was about 8000 troops present besids the
spectators this man formally belonged in
Louisianna I expect there will be a picture
in the paper about it and if there is I shall
send one home. This man belonged in our
division and we were all called out to witness the
scene he was shot on our drill ground in sight
of our camp I believe this is the first man
that has been executed for desertion in the
army of the Potomac. I recieved a little billet
in your letter I supposed from Albert
Strouts girl I have written a few lines
to her and I want you to send it
to her Every thing remains quiet an in
regard to the war in this division of the
army We are expecting Capt. Bucknam
to be here every day and after he gets here
Spller Spiller is going home. I could
come home for a short time but it would
cost me about 50 dollars and I cannot
afford to spend cost so much besides
it would not be much satisfaction for
I could not stay but a short time
therefore I shall not undertake it. We
are all well except Silas Estes he is
quite sick and Levi Small I think
they have got a fever. I have no more
news to write at present so I will close

H. M. Cash

The deserter was William Johnston, Co. d, 1st N.Y. Cavalry, executed December 13. The execution was pictured in Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Magazine.

Hiram M. Cash. Private, Co. K, 5th Maine

12916

My own dear Ma

We have received your
brief letter of the 1st inst by Fort
Munroe. It finds us on the eve
of our departure for Richmond.
Rooms have been engaged for us
there–we will therefore take poss-
ession of them until they can be
disposed of, and arrangements made
for us to leave the C. S. Do not expect
us immediately–We cannot say
how long a delay may be necessary–
It is desired that we should first
visit our exiled friends and relations
at Centrevile. I will write again to
herald our advent–I sent a letter about
ten days since by the Fort, but am
since informed that long ones are
never forwarded, so it has probably
shared the fate of several previous

[page 2]
volumes that I unfortunately
entrusted to that means of
transmission. In obedience
to your request I avail myself of it
once more, notwithstanding that it
is the least certain route and involves
at least a fortnight’s delay–I shall
write tonight by a way of my own
selection and more at length–
Ardently as I desire to see you & Pa
and all our dear friends & relations
I dread a winter in Baltimore-
I have heard much recently that
increases this feeling–Every one here
is violently opposed to our return, &
most uncomplimentary doubts are expressed of
the good faith of the the assurances
you mentioned. I shall not go by
the Fort unless I can receive certainty
of exemption from search of baggage
& person on the boat, likewise from
taking the oath–which they say is
required. We are both extremely well.
Your pets are situated just as you

[page 3]
wished –together–in precisely similar positions–
They are looking better than I have ever seen them–
Give our love to everyone–I fear to extend
my letter–goodbye–ever your devoted
daughter H. C.

Hetty Cary, a famous Confederate belle, later married Confederate General John Pegram. She was known as one of the Cary Invincibles, a trio that included her sister Jennie and cousin Constance. All three were celebrated for personally sewing battle flags for Confederate generals Van Dorn, Johnston and Beauregard, as described in previous letters.

MSS 1174

My dear mother

You will have heard before this
reaches you, of the battle here yesterday and
will be uneasy enough–Providence has once more
protected me, tho’ it required almost a miracle
to do so–For two hours not a moment passed
that I did not hear the whiz of minnie balls–
the “long roll” aroused us all about 3 oclock-
for 3 ours we stood in the road, and about
half an hour before sun-rise the enemy was
upon us–our battallion had to charge up a very
steep hill which had been blockaded by
cutting down the trees, & when we reached the top,
out of breath, we were fired upon by our own
men (31st Regt) and about an hour later by the
12th Ga–but we rallied, and then it became
almost a hand-to-hand fight.–once we were
under a cross fire from three different directions.
We made three charges, and about 8 oclock put the
Yankees to flight. For a long time 300 of us had
to contend with from 1500 to 2000–The scene of
this part of the action was a few hundred yards from
our camp, just above it,and one tent is riddled–The
Yankees tried to flank us on both sides at once, and

[page 2]
as soon as they were driven from one side, we
were placed in the trenches to fight them on the other
but they did not attack on the side where we
were, but on the opposite side of the hill–so
I had only to sit still and listen to the balls as they
passed over our heads–we remained in the trenches
the rest of the day and all last night, and I am
too much worn out to write–only wanted to let you
know that I am safe–The slaughter on both sides
was awful–dead men are lying all over the hill above
us–my own company l9ost one killed and one wounded–
the Yankees were so badly whipped yesterday that I don’t
think they will try it ever again–we have been strongly
reinforced since the fight ended–It was entirely an
infantry fight–so close that the artillery could not
be used with much effect–but we lost two of our
best artillerists–Capt Anderson (Do remember him)
was killed, and Capt Deshen badly wounded–I will
write in a day or two–as soon as we get over the
excitement-your affect son
Charley
P.S. we have received orders to march to Staunton
as soon as transportation can be had–ordered to
be ready for “field service in another line”–
Yesterdays proceedings will delay our movements
and may prevent our going entirely–Don’t know
where we are going–
C.D.M.

Charles D. McCoy, 1st Sergt, 25th Virginia Infantry
MSS 6830-d

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

March from the Warm Spring to
to Bath Alum Distance 4
miles. Crossed Warm
Spring Mt. Beautiful view
of Mt. cenery [sic] from & Warm
Spring from the top. Leave
our sick at Bath Alum.
Examine the Springs and
buildings. Beautiful
situation. Receive 2nd
payment.

MSS 5526