“Mount Elery” Rappahannoc County
13th September 1862
Away up in the high mountains
My dear Cousin [Lucy Grattan Shelton]
You remember that I said
I intended to write to you. Agreeable to
my word, (I always keep my word) I am
at present engaged in the pleasure of writing.
Whether the pleasure is simply in the writing
itself, or in writing to you, you must find
out with my assistance. If I were to
say in was in the wielding my pen alone, you
would get very mad. If I acknowledged
it was to you, your vanity (?) would kill you.
After leaving Roseneath I was very, very
gloomy and have not yet entirely gotten over
the saddening effects of a seperation from
the kind people of that delightful abode. My
visit was one of the most agreeable that I
ever made any place, notwithstanding you and
Cousins Sallie, Mag & others insist that the first
week was a lonely one. I often think of
you all, and sometimes almost wish that
I might get very slightly wounded that
I might return, and stay a while longer.
[page 2]
I had the blues so badly when I got to Richmond
that I did not eat anything of importance, not
enough to do me any good that day. I had
very little to say to any one, never spoke unless
spoken to, and then thought every one was
speaking to me at the wrong time, just
when I did not wish them. You can, from
what little I have said, form some little idea
of the state of my feelings on that day.
We left Richmond on Wednesday morn
ing, being unable to get off on Monday
or Tuesday as I expected. There were at
least a thousand soldiers waiting for trans-
portation to Rapidan Station. One of the
Lieuts of our company admitly[sic] got seats for us in
one of the passenger cars. Our party consisted
of 15 men. We left Richmond with provis-
ions for one day. Lieut Tappan and myself
got enough to last us until this morning.
We reached Rapidan about 12 O’clock at noon
and proceeded at once to march to Culpepper
CH. a distance of twelve miles. We walked
very briskly and accomplished our journey at
5 O’Clock precisely. We put up at the Hotel
for the night. The supper was truly fine. They had
[page 3]
the genuine Coffee, and very strong too, for
supper, just what hungry and tired soldiers
need. The lady furnished beds in the parlour
where we slept very comfortably. At an early
hour before sun-rise, we were requested to make
the servants set the table and cook the breakfast
if we wanted any. The lady told us that since
the Yankee nurses had been stopping there, she
had been unable to manage them. We accor-
dingly went out, thrashed some of them and
scared the yankees until their eyes look like
fried eggs, threatning to hang them if ever they
spoke a word to one of the servants on the
place. The next morning we started off quite
early and fresh for a march of 15 miles, which
we accomplished by 5 1/2 O clock. We stoped
at a nice house and were well provided for-
in a portion of the state where there have
been but a few Yankee scouts. The main road
has been travelled by not only the Enemy but
our men, and what the Yankees did not steal
has been very kindly given to our soldiers.
Ask Cousin Matt if we have any relatives by the
name of “Read” living near Sperryville. Dr R. sent
[page 4]
for me and said that I was his cousin. As it
was two miles out of my way & I knew no cous-
ins by that name, I did not go to disappoint
him.–We have hired a waggon just here,
which is to carry us to Winchester for $50.–We
willing pay the amount.
I wish very much that I could give you
some little idae idea of how much I am en-
joying this trip, although our feet are blistered
from walking over the turnpike. The moun-
tains so fine and exhilerating, so many
beautiful flowers. It is like spring again.
I caught one of the prettiest green snakes
this morning you ever saw. I lamented very
much that I did not have some alcohol
to preserve him and send him home or to you.
I am writing this while waiting for dinner,
Consequently have been writing very rapid-
ly with little regard to punctuation spelling
or anything else. This is the last one i expect
to write for some time. When we get into
Maryland we will be moving constantly and
will have no opportunity to write. We are not allowed
to carry even one change of clothing a haversack
gun and accoutrements are all. I suppose they
do not wish the men encumbered by baggage
It is the best of evidence that we are going to
[crosshatched on left side of page 4]
make quick work of this war God grant us success
Give my love to cousins Sallie, mag Clara
Ellen & kiss cousin Matt. My best and kindest
to your dear father. Will you not honor me
with an epistle very soon? I anxiously look for
it. With kindest regards Permit to subscribe myself
Your sincere friend and affectionate
cousin
James W. Beaty
[in left hand margin of page 1]
Tell cousin Matt that my diary will be sent to her
She can look over it at her leisure. Let her read this
but no one but cousins in the family.
[in left hand margin of page 2]
I thought on this page, while writing it that I was writing to cousin and commenced
giveing you an account of my trip which will in no way interest you.
[in left hand margin of page 3]
Dont be too proud to write to me. our letters will not be read
by any one but myself. If I am not a married man I
will be as soon as this war is over. Ask Cousin Matt
[upside down in top margin of page 1]
Excuse me for crossing my letter. I forgot you did
not like it. I do.
Jamew W. Beaty [of the 21st Mississippi?]
MSS 6830-a