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Winchester July 15, 1861
My Dear Annie,
Yesterday I received your letter by Dr. Dold - today yours of the 13th came to hand. I was very glad to hear from you yesterday although I did not doubt that you were well and safe at home enjoying home comforts but was very much disappointed that I did not hear from you sooner. You ought to .... Thursday night at any rate. I am sorry you were not prepared to receive the intelligence of my enlistment or volunteering. In your letter by Dr. Dold you say you are proud that I am in the service of my country and in the last you seemed distressed and probably surprised that I am in the confederate army for twelve months if my services are needed. I thought you expected me to stay when I left. I done everything I could to honorably get out of the volunteer service ......... you did not seem satisfied and wounded my feelings several times in regards to the substitution. I thought you preferred me to go in my own place ... when I left you I did not expect to return soon if ever ..... for I know the same power that require me to report myself would keep me there because they believe I am a better man that those that make so much noise about fighting.
The whole Company pronounced C.L. Miller a coward and believe that is all the trouble with him. He is a mean man and they did not care to associate with him. Virginia is invaded by a large force of armed scoundrels and everybody let there inclination be what that may in regard to and will have to stand up and do what they can to drive them from or soil, unless they are overwhelmed by cowardice then there is nothing they will not resort to get out of the fight. I am a northern man by birth and maybe a coward but I am of the opinion that I shall be killed of bullets of the enemy before I resort to any dodge or mean thing to escape the war. The dodgers are numerous and as a general the men who own the property will do little of the fighting. Most of them are in an honorable or paying position and look with more or less contempt on the poor privates who expose themselves to protect the property and firesides of the contemptible puppies.
In regard to the militia service there is nothing very inviting about it. They drill as much as the volunteers and they are at work with shovel and pick six hours each day - and never will receive any credit for being in the war. Everyone must do for himself as he thinks best. In regard to the term of service there will be little difference. If we have to fight four hundred thousand men from the north and there seems a goods prospect of it at this time every body, cowards included, will have to come and help fight- and no man now at home need not flatter himself that he will escape this war. I fear you will have some trouble in reading this miserable scrawl. I am writing in a room surrounded by from fifty to 100 hundred some singing, fiddling, talking and walking.
I attended Dr. Boyd's church of Sunday and heard an able sermon by the chaplain of the 4th reg of Ala. Vol. I cannot think of his name-he is from Huntsville.
Do not make any change in our affairs at the present for it is somewhat doubtful whether I can stand the service or not. It may be well for you to go to Harrisonburg in a week or two simply to see that all is doing well- let the cow stay at Mr. King res. I will write in a few days to several persons who owe me to send their notes to you. It is better to have there note than the money. In that way the interest will am't to something and be quite safe as bank notes. I hope you did not exchange the sisters money at much of a discount. If you go to Harrisonburg and bring those hams down to Mt. Jackson do so for I shall need them here if I stay. If I could have some of our tomatoes I would like it very much. I have eaten nothing but dry bred and coffee since I went into camp. We have boiled fresh beef and it is as good as a dose of salts for the bowels.
Everything is in motion this evening. The Cavalry are coming in from their camp twelve miles below here and report the Federals advancing. I just saws and said goodby to several of the soldiers belong to Col. Gibbons regiment as they passed through town to meet the enemy. All of the troops quartered above town passed on the road to Martinsburg this evening. Gen Johnston's force here has been largely reinforced within the last few days and we here of several thousand more coming. Our Company has been detailed to guard the prisoners at the jail. Should the expected fight come tomorrow will not be in it.
Tuesday Morning. All seems quiet now The pickets bring the intelligence that the enemy are eleven miles below here just halfway from Martinsburg on a farm owned by a brother of Dr. Boyd and I have heard that they are burning his wheat, but I do not believe it. Yesterday everyone expected a fight today, now it probably will not come off till tomorrow or the next day. It cannot be delayed many days if enemy advance any farther. The militia have thrown up excellent breastworks for us to stand behind. I have no fears but that we shall cut them all to pieces. We have not less than twenty five thousand troops here including the militia.
Write soon. - Give my love to all and kiss Dear little Robert for me. Farewell Dear Nannie. I will keep you posted with our movements and remain your true and affectionate Husband.
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