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| Gilmer Letters | Civil War Letters of Russell County |
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Monterey Highland Co Va July 26 1861 Dear Pa; I now embrace the privilege of conversing with you for a few minutes. I do not feel as cheerful & lively now as usual. I have taken a great deal of cold, and I am affected with it (in some respects) differently, to what I have ever been in my recollection. I have a slight, but easy cough, carrying a great deal of phlegm from my lungs, slight pains and a cheuigs in my limbs and sometimes very acute pains in my bowels. For four days I have passed a great deal of white and bloody matter and nothing else, only as I have taken pills. My appetite is good and at times I feel well. I have thought and think now that I will be well in a few days. I would not call it much sickness were it not for this unusual condition of my bowels. I have taken some pills this week and it is the first medicine that I have taken in any shape since I left home. Yesterday I went to our doctor and explained my case. He gave me a dose of Bue Mass, (a blue pill). I took the pill this morning. We have a tolerably good shanty now. It is made of rails and forks; and is covered with chestnut bark. The oilclots that uncle Vincent gave us, answer a very good purpose. There are eight in my squad or mess, viz; the three Cowans, two of the Fletchers, C. W. Johnston, Rives & myself. We eat and sleep together. Three of us are unwell - Johnston, tolerably bad off with cold; George Cowan slightly sick with cold and a slight diarhea. There are a great many complaining in this company of colds & coughs, and two or three cases of fever. Capt. Hunt can just walk about and that is all. Now just between me, and you and the gate post; the best service that the old Capt. could do for his company, himself and his country, would be to resign and go home. He has proved himself (as I thought he would) to be entirely unfit for a captain. He knows nothing about it and has not tried to learn anything. Another thing he has not the business capacity to take care of his men. The truth is, we take care of ourselves and he of himself. I could tell you something to convince you of the truth of these statements. It would not be prudent in me to tell that, and too, it is not necessary, for you will believe what I say. The company, I think, would be glad to see the old man start home. What I have said concerning this matter you may keep to yourself till further developments. I respect the old gentleman too highly to try to injure him in any respect. We are still here where uncle Vincent left us, but some think we will leave here in a day or two. It is uncertain when we will leave. I believe there are but two regiments here now. Three or four regiments have gone in the direction of Cheat Mt - (where the yankees are stationed) It is reported here that the yankees are leaving Cheat Mountain - I know not how true. There is nothing going on here now but drilling - times rather dull. We have news from a great fight at Manassa I read something about it yesterday in a paper of the 21st inst. I reckon you have heard all about it. The news is good, and I hope it is true. There is a talk of our regiment going to Huntersville Pocahontas County. The troops are scattered about - placed at several points. I hope and pray that god may deliver me from being placed under another such a man as I think Gen. Garnett was. It is a general belief now, among the soldiers that he was a traitor. Any one acquainted with the circumstances will think the same thing. Our Col. does not mix and talk with us any; so we don't know what he thinks about it. Some think Genl. Garnett was killed - this I think is the general belief. Some think our own men shot him. I cannot help thinking that he is alive and in the hands of our enemy. I hope it will be found out that he did the best he could for us. If it should turn out thus, I will be a badly deceived man certain. There is but little said about the affair at this time. I have seen no statement of it in the papers, though it is very seldom that I see one. I wish I knew the statement of this retreat in your paper. When this comes to hand, if you have newspaper statement of the retreat from Laurell Hill, please cut it out and send it to me in an envelop with your letter. The Papers are not to be relyed on much these times, more than the soldiers and in a a great many cases not so much. I find that out. For all this I would like to take a paper if I could. We are going to try to get a Richmond paper sent to us. Rives says he is not very well. I hope when we write again we can say that both are will. I am looking for a letter every day from some of you. I hope you are all well. I will quit now and probably will write a little more this evening. The mail leaves here in the morning. Write as often as you can. "Howdy" to all at home and friends. Your affection sons J. E. & W. R. Gilmer | |