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Oct. 25th 1861
My Dear Annie,
I received your dear letter a day or so two since, it was great relief to my mind. I imagined all sorts of things happened to you. Your letters have all gone through with such dispatch that I could hardly think that it had gone astray. My letter must have been some relief to your mind, especially in regard to the controversy between Jno. L. Pitman and myself.
We were all very much ...... that he approved my ...... of Captain Allen and Lt. Ripley. They may have some influence at home among fools who measure good sense by dollars and cents but here they have about as much influence as a Jack Ass or Dr. Bowman. It is all over now and I think Pitman is ashamed of his conduct but it is all the same to me. I have let other persons run away with my rights as long as I intend to. I am a very clever fellow as long as I stand back and let others secure first rank.
You were right in your supposition that my present position was not the one I preferred or was looking for but from the force of circumstances surrounding me I thought best to pull for a harbor I would be more likely to gain than to wait among the breakers for the breeze that would carry me to my chosen harbor. I gave you hints of my hope but these things are so uncertain that I thought best to say but little about it that there should be no disappointment.
I'll give you some further account of my three months accomplishments. You know I made, I may say, a strong effort to get out of the Cavalry. You thought, as well as many of my friends, that I had not acted wisely in sacrificing a horse to get out and then less so by going into another company considered most desirable by all horseman and young.
I done what I thought was for the best and I never have had many regrets on the subject. I was not sure that I should be able to convince my friends that I had acted wisely. I was impressed with the idea of getting out of the Cavalry and determined to do so if I could do so honorably. I got out and went into the ranks of the Rockingham Confederates and served one month faithfully and it is a month I shall always be proud of although I done no fighting but it was not my fault for I done some had marching to get to the Battle of the 21st of July. And I have marched several times to meet the enemy.
On the first of August I was detailed to act as 4th Sergeant in the place of David Huffman who went home since and Capt. Jones intimated then that he would not let me go back to ranks but he was soon promoted and went to Harrisonburg. Lt. Huston was next in the way of promotion but the second Lt. had a desire for the same office (Capt.). I advocated Huston's claim but the company are a set of ignorant dopes which can be operated on by designating men, votes bought etc. I soon discovered that there was no chance for me, for any person who is a perfect gentleman, and of course there would be no chance for me to be promoted and most likely would have to take my place in the ranks again which by the by is very honorable but not honored, and there was another consideration - my age would probably preclude my rising very high on the fighting list as I never have given my attention to military matters until I came into to the service and promotion by the suffrage of a Company of ignorant men is not anything to be particularly proud of and especially if one must resort to means to gain their votes repugnant to a gentleman. They have no appreciation of worth, talent or anything else that is honorable. I determine to present my claims where they could be appreciated. Jefferson Davis is my man. It is a source of gratification to me that I have come to the position ........................................ months active since as faithful as anyone can render - at any rate I have shown that I can serve and am willing to serve in the humblest capacity as a soldier.
Dr. Koontz is behind the age; to talk of the Capt's pay being one hundred and eight. A long time ago when we lived in the united states the pay was one hundred and eight but in the present day in the Confederate States the pay of Captain of Infantry $130, Capt of Cavalry $140 which is my rank and entitled to draw $...... for the ...... but I only draw for one. The Confederate States pay her officers well but her men not so well. The Rockingham Confederates have been in service nearly four months and have never received one dime and many of them have families at home living on the charity of the inhabitants of Rockingham which never will fatten anybody.
I am very much obliged to your papa for his offer to fix any papers for me. If I cannot get home........... from near Halifax C.H. to near Centerville again, our post office is Manassas Junction again, but there is no telling how long we shall stay here You must not be surprised to hear of us in Winchester in a few days or in Maryland or somewhere except Mt. Jackson. I wrote home for a trunk and some clothes bedding, etc. but fear you will have no opportunity of sending it to me. How much I wish to see you but little chance of getting home.
I have an assistant and we are kept busy. I have a large family to provide for, have gotten along very successfully so far. I trust I shall be able to discharge the duties of this office with credit. ...................... Jenkins came to camp this evening who says he saw you yesterday and that you were well and had a trunk that you thought of sending by him but concluded to wait till I came back home. If that was your reason, I shall not suffer for the clothes before I get them, suspect you did not like to trust him with them. It is a hard company. If there is not a man that can be trusted with a trunk from Mt. Jackson then I can get along with for awhile if the weather does not get much colder.
I have no idea when I can get home. I have the excuse of the bonds to grasp on but while the army is in such an unsettled state I must stay with them. I have taken a responsible office and one that pays. I am going to do my duty - sure I hope we will be ordered to Winchester. There is some prospect of it, then you can come and see me. If I cannot go to leave.
We are living part by will and part by sweet potatoes. Luther got a crock of nice butter from home which we have enjoyed very much, well Luther is a good fellow. Here is the place to try men. I know enough of D.H. Walton, every time I see him I imagine I see duplicity written all over him in large letters, say nothing ......... I will tell you more of him some other time.
I enclose a copy of the certificate Col. Jones sent me which secured me the position I now hold. I shall not forget S......... He is wholesouled man if he is a brother of Mrs. Christa's. Write soon again Dear, kiss Robert a hundred time for me.
From your Affectionate Husband
P.S. This is my official signature
A. Martin Capt A.C.S.
33rd Reg. Va Vol.
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