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| Gilmer Letters | Civil War Letters of Russell County |
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Laurell Hill, Barbour Co. Va July 1 1861 Dear Pa & Ma, It has been but a few days since I wrote home last; yet I reckon you would be glad if you could get a letter from us every day. I have not the chance to write so often, and cannot hereafter write as often as I have been doing. One reason is, this is the last sheet of paper that I have except one or two sheets of fine-very small sheets and I think I will send them to my Juny-bug. I will not write a second time to any one except home and one other person. I might write to that one twice without an answer. Allow me to joke a little. This is the first day of July and I have received but one letter since I left home. I suppose though you do the best you can, in this respect. I don't know how our corn, wheat, rye &c is doing. I believe, some morning I will go across to the flat-woods and see how things look. It might cause me to be put on extra duty though, for not getting back in time - and the regular duty is as much as I care about performing. Now for the news. Everything has become so old and common here that I don't know hardly what would be news to you. Things are going on here now as they were when I wrote last - only there is more sickness among us than there was then. There are some ten or twelve sick in our company at this time - arising from exposure principally. There are several cases of measels in our company and I suppose in other companies, & you know this is a bad place to have the measels. There is room for complaint among some of the companies here now. I don't know how it happens that half of us are not sick. I do know too, but it is strange. I slept last night with one wet blanket between me and the wet ground and covered with a wet one. This is the truth and yet I feel perfectly well today. Yesterday was a wet gloomy day and all our clothing got wet; and in the evening we made us a tent by sewing two of our blankets together and putting them up in the form of the room of a house, with forks and poles and it does fine. I sewed the blankets together - it was the longest seam that I ever sewed. Robert, David and George Cowan, Rives and myself sleep together. I don't intend to complain of our hard times so long as I keep my health. July 2nd. You see I did not finish my letter on yesterday and for this reason. It commenced raining a few minutes after I began my letter and rained till night and I might say all night; I ought to know, for I didn't sleep one bit last night. Our company and some others were sent off at 5 O'clock, in the rain and mud, about 2 1/2 miles on scout. I cannot tell you all about it. It was a gloomy wet and cold night, and I stood on my feet half the night and rested as I could the rest of the time but not allowed to go to sleep. We are not going to give the enemy any chance to trick us or get advantage if we can possibly help it. I don't think they have any idea of attacking us at this place. Last Saturday, our whole regiment went in marching order and prepared for fight, with forty wagons for grain &c a distance of 14 miles or further. We were in 8 miles of Philippi, got plenty of grain, a good warm dinner, met with apparently the right sort of people, had no difficuly nor accident and got back to camp by dark. The little village to which we went is called Meadowsville. It is small and you will not find it on the map. You can look though. I wish I had room to give you the details of that little trip. The soldiers here know not how strong a force is at Phillipi, but two thirds or more are willing and ready to march against them at any time. Our force has not increased any since I wrote last. About 4,000 now, at this place. The Georgia troops are better drilled than any I have seen yet. Some have a small idea that this difficulty will be settle shortly without further hostilities, but I for my part I can't see how. It must be settled mostly on our own terms. I believe God is with our side, but if it comes to hard fighting, the hills and valleys are bound to be the last resting place of many a soldiers body, in a short time. I have no doubt but that we can whip them three to one. We have all sorts of news here in camp, but none relyable. I try to tell you nothing but what is true. You know more about what is going on at other places than I do. I hope this will find you well and contented. I have not slept any since night before last and am not in a fix to write. I feel as well to-day as I can expect and better too. None of the cases of sickness dangerous, I think this morning in our company. A great deal of coughing here now. J.E. Gilmer | |