Difference between revisions of ".NTMx.Njk3"

Latest revision as of 15:46, 14 August 2017

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Tuesday 20th May 1862

Camp 1 1/2 miles from R[ich]mond [Virginia]

My dear Wife – I am stationed at the

same place from which my last letter to you was written – Yesterday we had no duties and I would have written, but was suffer- -ing a good deal with tooth-ache, of which I am relieved to-day. Though so near Richmond we are unable to get into the city. We have guards stationed all around our camp and cannot pass out without being accompanied by an officer, and can not go into R[ich]mond without a pass from [struck-through] signed by our Capt[ain], Gen[eral] [Robert Emmett] Rodes, and Gen[eral] [Daniel Harvey] Hill, and one of the three always makes some objection. I am very anxious to go and examine at the P[ost] O[ffice] if some of the last letters you sent me at Glo[uce]st[er] P[oint] were not kept back in R[ich]mond as the Yankees had possession of the P[oint]. Have heard nothing from you now later than Ap[ri]l 25th and then they were having the fever at your Pa’s. I do try and[struck-through] to feel willing to trust you all

                                                                                                              so

to God, but it is hard indeed to so [‘to so’ overwritten] for ^ long a time to [.........................?............................] If you would write to me as soon as you get this and send it immediately to C.[larks]ville [North Carolina] or Townesville, directing to R[ich]mond, care

                                                    brigade

Capt[ain] J. R. Bagley K[ing] and Q[ueen] artillery, Gen[eral] R[h]odes Divi ion [‘directing...division’ struck-through] I might get it. Use every means in your power to get me a letter, for it would cheer me more than any thing you could send me. – Dear

[Postmarked Envelope]

Mrs Nannie V. Watkins

Care Mr. Jos[eph] B. Daniel Townesville N[orth] C[arolina]

Send by Sass[afras] Fork [North Carolina] mail

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I am afraid I love you & our little ones too

much – that my heart is too much set on you. This I do know, that if it were not for you, I should not regard my life at all in this war.

It seems that my only desire is to live

to see you again & be with you once more, at any sacrifice of property or limbs. I feel that I have appreciated our happiness too little, & I know that this war will make me a wiser and a better man. Our boys are all doing well & getting on well – Doc was sent to R[ich]mond sunday with the Dysentery – he was not sick much, but had some hopes, I think of getting home on a sick fur lough, or he would have staid with us in camp. I do not yet know what they are going to do with us, but our Capt[ain] is now in R[ich]mond trying to get us out of the infantry service – I have petitioned for a transfer, for our six, to Capt[ain] [?] company of artillery, but with faint hopes of success. In my last, I asked your Pa to go to Mr. Venable, & see what could be done for us – If we cant get into the Artillery service, we would like to be trans- ferred to Tom Venables Reg[imen]t, or to [Captain] Baskerville’s company – would [?][struck-through] leave the se- lection to your Pa & Mr. Venable – and ask that whatever is to be done, should be done quickly. If we cannot be trans- ferred I will then be willing to get a substitute, and would ask your Pa to see if one would be accepted, & if he could secure one at any rea- sonable price. We are so closely con-

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fined in the limits of camp that it is

now impossible for us to see any thing, or to hear any thing. Tis true that we are now so near R[ich]mond that we get very often the daily papers, but since being in the army, I am less dis- posed than ever to credit any thing I see in them. We have some two or three men in our company whose daily business is to make up some exciting piece of news which is circulated from mouth to mouth, just as an [uncertain?] report would be in Granville - [County North Carolina] No one believing it and all repeating it because they have nothing else to tell. It is likely that the army will remain here for some time, unless attacked by the Enemy, as they[struck-through] we cannot fall back any farther without giving up R[ich]mond, which I am [...suaded?] our authorities will not do without a desperate struggle. I forgot to say that I have seen Gen[eral] [Daniel Harvey] Hill at his head-quarters – also Gen[eral] [Robert Emmett] Rodes. Went to get permission to go with Doc, to R[ich]mond, Hill promised his signature if I could get Brig[adier] Gen[eral] Rodes – who is Gen[eral] of our Brigade – but Rodes, who is said to be the strictest Gen[eral] in the service refused to let me go as I was well, and order[ed] the Surgeon to convey Doc. Hill looks very much as he did when I was under him

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at Washington College - [Chestertown, Maryland] I did not at-

tempt to renew [?][written over] [our?] acquaintance – He remarked as several made appli- cation to go to R[ich]mond that the soldiers were anxious to go because they thought that liquor could be had there, but he would assure them it could not. Rodes, who is a fine looking man of only 30 years of age – had a bottle of whiskey sitting on his table. I went to his [?] for a drink of water – he had a 1 gal[lon] tin of Milk in it, and a sentinel standing over the milk. I felt as if I would have given five dollars for as much of it as I could drink – they have stopped now giving us coffee, & though they give us as much of other things as is sufficient, it is barely enough - & I can assure you there is now no waste in our camp. In small armies we always fare best & can keep cleaner

Much love to all – write immediately – Direct to

Richmond – Care Capt[ain] Bagley. Heavy artillery, Gen[eral] Rodes’ Brigade. Dont wait for the Sas[safras] Fork [North Carolina] mail, but sent to Townesville, or Clarksville [North Carolina] – Your devoted husband – N[athaniel] V. W[atkins.