Thursday, May 30th, 1861.
Dearest Sisters:
If this reaches you be satisfied of my continued health and safety. I wish I could get such an assurance of yours. A man leaves today who will try and get through. I am happy now in my profession, and do not wish to come back except to see you all. God grant the rascals will not molest you, if you are still in the city. We have had no mails from the army for a long while, which is the reason I have not written. Some few letters have come to the camp by indirect means. I trust you are still with Mrs. Chilton, in Madison. I write in haste and have only time to say that General Jackson has driven the enemy back to Harper’s Ferry, and that our brigade, regiment and company have done their share. We have been highly complimented. Our brigade loss has been considerable in killed and wounded, but not very great considering that we followed and fought every now and then for three days. One man, Jennings, was killed from our company. I wish to God you had gone to Texas in time. I have written to Mrs. Chilton and Mrs. Smith to find out where you are. If we have any kin in Baltimore, please let me know their names and conditions, and get me any polite letters there or elsewhere you can; no one knows where the fortunes of war may soon take us. We are on the eve of breaking camp, so I must quit. Do go to Texas as soon as you can.
Your very uneasy brother,
Claude.
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page 26, Journal of Julia LeGrand, who at this point is in New Orleans, the journal to be started in December, 1861.