Edgemont House
July 10th 1862
My own Dear Bettie
You will see from this that I am now
at a place, where, above all others, I wish you were
at just now. However I am cheerful, indeed am
in remarkable spirits, Geo and I having just been
most heartily inspirited at a restaurant down
town. Besides this it has just commenced to rain–O
this is glorious! I came very near telegraphg to you
to come down tomorrow, but we are on the march, &
perhaps our army will go back again to the valley.
I wish it were consistent with the welfare of
the Confederate States for us to return to the land of
milk and honey, as compared with the dismal
swamps of the Chickahominy–fit homes only for
lizzards, l___e, musquitoes and Yankees.–
I have come into Richd in search of my horse.
Two of our Lts and myself put our private horses
and Geo. Carrington’s & another horse in charge of
some of the company servants, and sent them
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out to graze. They however with were taken with
a desire to have a small game of cards, and
went off to play, turning our horses loose. they
all strayed off & came into Richd. & we can’t
find them high nor dry–so we lose about
about $300 each. The result of the game
was wonderful, every body lost, and the
negroes especially were badly beaten–so
much so that I hope their resources for gambling
are entirely broken up.
I have little news to write you since my last
of the 8th, which I could not send away from
camp until next day. The army is indeed
in motion, but we have no idea where
we are going, except we conjecture. We
came in on church hill today and filed
to the right towards Mechanicsville, which
is the last I have seen of them today.
I go out to camp tonight and am in
high hope that we may be able to stay
about Richd a few days.
[page 3]
Cousin Mollie sits by me now and looks
as neat and bright as a new pin. I am
really ashamed of myself for I feel and
look like an old road wagoner. I looked
in the glass at the hotel just now and
was frightened as much almost as the
dog on a box of Mason’s blacking.
Clem, John McPhail & Clem McP & Capt Tucker C. &
myself dined together today. We had a merry
time, and certainly a very good time for
the gentlemen of the artillery who have
not had good “eatings” for some time.
Geo Carrington forgot some of the mortification
he felt at not getting his box of “goodies”
from home.–
You spoke of sending me a box. I would be more than glad to receive something to
lessen the tendency we have to scurvy by
reason of eating so much salt meat; but
I do not know that I could get it, if
it were sent. If we stay here any time,
it would be different.
[page 4]
The scheme which you and Lizzie have
on hand just now, I think, suits very well
indeed. All hands, I think, would be
well suited and satisfied.
Remember me to all most affectionately.
Write to me immediately here (Richd), and
believe me, though in haste,
Fondly yours,
James Dinwiddie
MSS 10102
