Mr. McPherson’s. Tuesday 4 Feb. 1861[sic]
My Dear Father
Your kindly long letter was
received last Friday. It came to camp
Thursday, the day on which your letters
almost always come but was not bro’t
to me until the next day. I am very sorry
my slight indisposition gave you uneasi-
ness. I think that I am now well.
But am staying here merely through
prudential considerations. I think its
probably I shall remain about a
week longer. The people I am staying
with are not of the first class. they
are uneducated & I suppose would hold
about the same station in society
that Liberty Foulkes & family do. They are
kind & do not charge me heavily for
board. I occupy nearly all my time while
here, by reading. Tho’ the library is extreme-
ly limited & by no means select. I obtained
yesterday thro’ an acquaintance the first
volume of Macauley’s England. that will
probably occupy my time until I
leave for camp — If not I shall try
[page 2]
and get the 2nd volume. I intend to try &
preserve them by leaving them in
Leesburg at the book store with direc-
tions to send them to me at home
when I write for them, sh: will
be when transportation becomes safe
& after the war: if I am spared to see
it ended. By the bye do you not think
we will have a long war? I think
every thing looks very much as if we
would. I am, as you, especially un-
easy about Kentucky. they are too
strong for us there & I fear have the
support of even the majority of
the young & fighting men. The late de-
feat of poor Zolicoffer will weaken our
cause very much there. Don’t you think
General Crittenden’s continued [intimidation?]
is probably owing to the division of his
family? His father & brother being on the
other side — the latter a general. If we
suffer a defeat of importance in Ken-
tucky now it would lengthen the war,
for a long time I fear. For I am still
of the opinion that the leaders on both
sides know the struggle is now merely
as to where the boundary line shall be.
[page 3]
You ask if my company will reenlist.
The present intention of the company
is unanimous for going home. I think
however it possible, perhaps probable,
this desire may be changed at the time
for disbanding. For then a great many
volunt’s. will be leaving & our forces conse-
quently much weakened, in addition to
this it will be about the time of the
oening of the spring campaign & our
generals very likely expecting an advance of
the enemy. these inducements I do not
think will have the effect of causing
them to reenlist, but probably to remain
in the field during the summer. However
our company is very much dissatisfied
with its present organization & this may
cause them to leave for home as soon
as possible. You of course did right
in offering my resignation to the ves-
try. I am pleased that you did so.
I forgot to mention above that I
think our soldiers are heartily tired
of thewar. Tho’ I believe they would
rather fight for their lifetime than to reen-
ter the old union. Please write me who
the officers in the two new companies wh: you
[page 4]
mention as having just formed in
the county are & if they are infantry
companies. Has Lan been promoted any
in consequence of the vacancies occasi-
oned by the promotion of Hatcketts resig-
nation of Stokes? You tell me to
write regularly. I have I think been
doing so. Tho’ I don’t know that it
is the best plan. We are subject every
day to the possibility of a move wh: wd.
throw writing materials beyond our
reach. Being in the habit of getting
letters regularly form me this failure
wd. give you much more uneasiness
than you would have if you were
not in the habit of receiving my
letters regularly. It is sooner in the
week than I generally write, but I com-
menced intending to write a few lines now
so as to be able to finish & send this
first time any one came to see me from
camp. But I see I have filled my paper
with nothing. I especially wish all that
portion about the was was out. Because
I know it will not be interesting to you
who see so much in the papers about it.
Every thing is extremely quiet along the lines
[margin page 4]
here about. I can give you no information as to the object of General Jacksons
expedition. I reckon it was more to see what would be
[margin page 3]
done than to do. The health of our camp is good. Some, a
[margin page 2]
few cases of Jaundice. Bob Knight has been suffering
[margin page 1]
with a slight attack of this but I think recov-
ered. I am acquainted with Taylor Martin; the
brother of the Rev. M. Martin. You speak of your beau-
tiful weather. I wish I could enjoy it with you or
since that is denied, that we would have some of it here. Last month
we had only one clear day. I think every day some that one it
[cross writing on page 3]
was hailing or raining or snowing. Hail predominates. The snow is now
thicker than it has been before — about 2 1/2 inches. So far no clear
day this month, cloudy this morning but now sun is shining.
Snow will probably go before night & judging by the past
be on the ground again before tomorrow night. Yet I do
not think it has been extremely cold. I suffered most
in the last of November. It was then quite windy &
the winds are much dreaded here. I will not try your
patience by writing any more across. Tell mother there
are four of the worst children here I ever saw &
the father and mother not much better as they do
not control them at all. Give my best love to all.
Dearest father farewell & may heaven
ever bless you
Yr. most devoted son
W.H. Perry Jr.
My envelop is rough but the only kind I can procure in
Leesburg. But they will answer your and my purposes
as well as a fine one would.
William H. Perry, Jr., 1836-1915, Virginia lawyer; Confederate soldier in the Richmond Howitzers.
[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
Brig. Gen Felix Kirk Zollicoffer was killed during the Confederate defeat at Mill Springs, January 18, 1862.
