Augusta County: James B. McCutchan to His Cousin,
July 27, 1862
Summary:
McCutchan's letter talks about his bad cold, the new preacher in camp, and refers
to several friends and family members. The letter also makes reference to the
fact that he has been charged with informing on his cousin, James R. McCutchan,
but the details are not made clear.
July 27 1862
Camp Near Gordonsville
Dear Cousin
This is Sunday and I don't know how I can [illeg.] myself more pleasantly
than in writing you a short letter, although I don't feel much in a humor of
writing or doing anything else, I have a bad cold sore throat and headache, we
had a short march yesterday left camp about 5 o'clock marched to Gordonsville a
distance of 5 miles stayed there until nearly sundown then marched back to camp.
we marched very fast for a while and got very warm and it rained on us before we
got to camp. I got very wet and lying on the damp ground all night is what gave
me such a cold. I don't think I have had the cold as bad for six months. The
company is generally well some few are complaining.
We have a very nice camp here in a beautiful grove. The Brigade is all together,
have very good water for Eastern Virginia We have a very good chaplain now, have preaching every
Sunday and prayer meeting every night, Warden is his name, he is a very nice man
and a good preacher. I met with [unclear: Mr.] Wheat at the spring
today, would not have known
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him but heard him remark to another man
that was with him that Lizzie was well and that Mrs. Buchanan is dead. I found
out from that that he was from your neighborhood. I then made some inquiries about your mother, and found out who he
was. Cousin Lizzies boy or yours I don't know which I was slightly acquainted
with last winter. I had forgotten him. You said in your last letter that you had
a message for me from an old acquaintance. I am very anxious to know who and
what it was. I intend to have gone up to your neighborhood when I was at home
but could not make it suit and so many of your [illeg.] was sick, I hope
you will excuse me. I also hope you all have gotten well ere this. I suppose you
are well and healthy by this time. I was surprised to see that you had grown so
much but it had been some time since I had seen you. I would have liked very
much to have had a chat with you but circumstances would not permit. I might have gone to see you that
evening but I am sorry to tell you that I was not there when I was at home nor
did have any desire to go. I was charged with things that I am [illeg.]
innocent of. I am sorry that it is so, but as
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it is so it may remain so far as I am concerned I shant trouble myself about it. I will tell you what it
was. I was charged with informing on Ja's R which is entirely false. I did not
write a letter to any one in the company while I was at home. I will drop it,
will not be pleasant to you and I am sure it is not to
me. I am sorry I did not comply with your wishes about kissing cousin Sue that
is surely a [illeg.] pleasant task. She is a
particular friend of mine I had some nice times with her when I was at home. Oh!
I wish this war was over so we all could return to our homes in peace. I think
we will know how to appreciate it if it is ever [illeg.] it, which time
I hope is not far distant. I will stop writing for the evening, probably will
write some more in the morning if nothing happens to [unclear: prevent]
it. I stopped wishing [illeg.]
[illeg.] and went to preaching, heard as often did [illeg.] and
heard a prayer from from General Jackson which was [illeg.] as good as I ever heard. I do
think this is the best man I ever saw. how thankful we should be that he have
such a General [illeg.] is a [illeg.] character.
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I must bring my letter to a close [illeg.] this very poor
letter and answer soon. Direct to Gordonville. Give my love to all inquiring
friends if there be any, receive a good portion for yourself.
Your true and Aff cousin
Ja's B. McCutchan
[in recipient's handwriting] Received
Saw Jim Buck
last July 12, 1862
George Baylor was killed near
Gordonsville
August 9th 1862
Jonnie Kerr died August 11th 1865 [deleted: ]
