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| Barrett Letters | Civil War Letters of Russell County |
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James H. Barrett to his brother
Camp Near Winchester
Mr. T.S. Barrett After acknowledging the receipt of your welcome letter of Nov. the 23rd I will inform you that I am not well. Though I hope I am not dangerously sick. I think the cause of my sickness is from fatique & exposure on our march from Green Brier to this place. As to the health of our Brigade it is not so good as has been some time Back. But it is verry common for sicknes in an army after a long march or change of water. I am sorry to say that many of our Russel boys are sick. To wit S.B. Hurt, R.F. Keen, Lient Burcy, James Peak, Hiram Robins and many others complaining. Also Capt W.J. Kindrick & Lieut J.W. Kims were left at McDowell about 100 miles from this place. We Rec'd a letter from Capt Kindrick yesterday stating that John was verry low with fever. I understand we have gained a great but dearly bought victory in North Western Va. Our forces on Allegany Mountain numbering about 1,200 were attack by about 5,000 yankees. After a fearful & desperate struggle for 7 long hours the yankees were completely Routed with great los There were 80 dead yankees found on the field. Our loss was 25 killed & 75 wounded Among the killed & wounded were several valient officers. I suppose there will be a fight near this place shortly from the fact we are under marching orders to be ready at a moments warning Also ordered for every man to be well supplied with amunition. My impresion is we will attach Romley soon Our brigade is now under Command of Stonewall Jackson so called for his coolnes & great firmnes in the great Manasas fight And I hope old Stonewall will make us fight if there is any fight about us. Tom I want you to manage my affairs as well as you can sell my hogs as many ascan be spared for as much as you can get & keep the money or put it in some Responsible mans hand for safe keeping till I come if I ever should come. T.S. I want you to keep plenty of Beacon for Becca & Alice & my self dont sell too bare I want you to write soon if you have sold my hogs Let me know how many & what the Brought also I want to know if you have gotten the money I sent to you by John L. Howard You may look for some of our fellows to be at home By the 1st of January We can get furloughs for 60 days on condition we will take an oath to volunteer for the next two years As for my part I dont want a furlough on such conditions Though I believe several of our men will go to it I fact some have. I expect to serve out my term and then I want to rest for 60 days & longer too unless my notion changes greatly. I want you to tell cousin Robt Hurt I recd his most welcome letter which gave great satisfaction to know that he was enjoying good Health & had made his escape from the Northerners I was also verry sorry to learn that he had to run & leave property home & family to the mercies of the Black hearted fanatics But I hope he may live to see them driven from the soil of Ky or from the face of the earth if nothing else will satisfy them. Give my best Respects to J.S. Herndon Uncle Isaac P.J. Denistion & their families Tell them to write soon From your most affectionate Brother
Most Respectfully Dear Mother Wife Brothers & Sister After giveing you all my Best Respects I must inform you while our Brigade is our on dres parade this evening while our men are going through many military performances which would be quite an interesting scene to any of you. While our Band of Musick is strained to its highest note with most delightful musick While the hoarse beatting Drum & schrill whistle of the fife is being played and our Brigade all seem cheerful But while this is the case I am sitting in my tent trying to write you a few lines to inform you that I am quite unwell and unable for duty & almost unable to walk our of the encampment I have no stomache for any thing except cold water But I think If I had some good corn bread or some potatoes from home I could eat some. But I am too far from home to get corn bread or potatoes. I could get a furlough in certain conditions The conditions are this they will give a furlough for 60 days and & fifty Dollars Extra if we will take an oath to volunteer for the next two years Such terms dont suit me
Bob is well & fat & as lively as ever and seems to be well satisfied as if he was at home give my respects to all enquiring friends So nothing more But still remain yours most affectionately.
please write soon Direct your letters care to J.H. Barrett Winchester Frederick County Va |
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