October 25th, 1861. My dear Mother: It is with extreme pleasure I write you to-day. We are still at Fort Monroe, and of course I do not know how long we are to remain here, but Old Point Comfort has proved itself such to me. I think few up to the present time have served [...]
October 21st, 1861. My dear Mother: We are sailing rapidly down the Chesapeake, still in doubt as to our ultimate destination, but expecting soon to reach Fortress Monroe ,where possibly there may be a chance of mailing a letter. We feel as though we were leaving the scene of old triumphs, and old disasters – [...]
October 18th, 1861. My dear Mother: I can only write you a few hasty lines. We have suddenly been summoned to Annapolis, and are now on board ship, bound I know not whither. This is so far pleasant, as there is a chance of relief from the wearisome picket duties which devolve upon Regiments on [...]
Headquarters 79th Regt. Camp Advance, Co. K. Virginia, 1861. Dear Mother: A most delightful moonlight forbids my retiring at the usual hour to rest, so I will write and let you know that all is well – that we have had a dull week, that there has been naught to stir the sluggish blood since [...]
Headquarters 79th Regiment, Camp Advance, Va. Co. K. September 21st, 1861. Dear Cousin Lou: Let me see – it is a long time since I wrote you, but I am not forgetful. I must thank you many times for your kindness in writing me away off here. Perhaps you think it not very far, only [...]
Kosciusko Farm, August 25th, 1861. My dear Mother: I am seated writing my usual Sunday letter, happy to state that my spirits are good and health excellent, as Uncle Charles will confirm. I was out drilling my men yesterday, when my attention was attracted by somebody nodding to me in a familiar style – a [...]
Camp Causten, Aug. 22d, 1861. My dear Cousin Lou: What a pleasant thing it is to live, and how I do enjoy it here on the banks of the Potomac. I do not believe God ever made a more beautiful land than this. How I would fight for it if I believed it threatened by [...]
Maryland, Camp Causten, Aug. 17th, 1861. My dear Mother: This has been a busy and painful week for the officers of the Highland Regiment. You have seen various accounts of our troubles in the papers, but they contain nothing authentic, although perhaps about as much as an outsider can understand. The mutiny of Thursday is [...]
Meridian Hill, Washington. Aug. 11th, 1861. My dear Mother: I have been overjoyed by a visit from Hunt, who has now probably returned home and reports me hearty and well. I have been fortunate in meeting several friends most unexpectedly during the last few days. Miss Woolsey was at our encampment on some errand of [...]
Aug. 5th, 1861. My dear Mother: Living now quietly without excitement, the events of two weeks ago have become like a dream. Our camp is beautifully situated on Meridian Hill in the suburbs of Washington, and overlooks an enchanting prospect of the city, and the green banks of the Potomac. The air is fresh and [...]
Meridian Hill, Washington, Aug. 1st, 1861. Dear Cousin Lou: I am seated in my tent, the rain is pouring in torrents, and I am at leisure to think of friends at home. You see whom I was first remembering, not having forgotten the kind letter which Mr. Houston brought me from Thompsonville, when I was [...]
Norwich, July 28th, 1861. Dear Cousin Louisa: I will not commence with prefatory remarks but hasten to reply to your questions about my boy. Mr. Abbott returned from Washington to-day. He found Will well, and well cared for at the house of Lt.-Col. Elliott, whose family are bestowing upon him every imaginable kindness. Oh! dear [...]
July 28th, 1861. Dear Mother: A week has passed since our misfortunes at Bull’s Run, and in all the intervening time I’ve had only opportunity to let you know that I was safe. But I must tell you something of that unlucky day, for I know you had rather have the story from my own [...]
Near Centreville, July 19th, 1861. My dear Mother: I am happy to write you of my continued health and good spirits. We had an adventurous time since I wrote you so hurriedly a few days ago. Leaving our encampment we marched on, halting often to remove trees and such other impediments as a retreating foe [...]
Care of Lieut. S. R. Elliott, 10th Co., 79 Regiment, Virginia. Glebewood, Virginia, July 8th, 1861. My Dear Mother: You see from the above that the “sacred soil” continues to be invaded. General Scott is inexorable, so, notwithstanding the protests of the States Right supporters, Regiment after Regiment crosses the line, and the sanctity of [...]
Georgetown Heights, July 1st, 1861. Headquarters 79th Regiment. Dear Mother: At length I have an opportunity to inform you of my doings since we parted. I will spring over details.however, to say that I am now with Elliott at the Barracks of the 79th Regt. – that I slept last night upon the floor – [...]
June 27th, 1861. Dear Cousin Lou: Did I not promise to write you, when the time came to say good-bye? Aye, oh best of women! And now I am fulfilling my promise hastily, for in an hour I shall be on my way to Washington. You must feel with me in my happiness! At length [...]