---

Augusta County: Thomas Garber to Addie Garber, July 21, 1862

Summary:
Thomas Garber writes to his sister about camp life and asks her to send tobacco.

---

July 21, 1862

Camp Ashby

Dear Sister

We got [illeg.] Friday evening and picked out a place to pitch our tent and built a big fire and sat down by it and rested until 9 [illeg.] the wagon to come up which our tents were in it did not come on time, we slept under a tree the first night. As we were coming down we met 10 or 12 Yanks coming in to town and every day some one or two are brought in the camp the Col. sends them on to the Provost Marshall office to be kept until he has a pretty good crowd and then send them on to Staunton. We are encamped about 2 1/2 or 3 miles from Harrisonburg on the Gamble place about 1/4 of a mile from his house he was up to see us Sunday and asked me over to see him which I will do soon. I asked Cousin Ash what company he should advise me to join.

[page 2]

He said hold on a day or two until he could look around and then he would tell me he is going to make Color sergeant but he has no collars yet so I am going to be his orderly until he gets the flag. he sent Bunch to Staunton Saturday evening. I told him to tell Pa to send me sone smoking tobacco and a pipe. Bill Waddell has some good tobaco put up in bags 2 1/2 pounds each tell Pa to send me one of them. Cousin Asher & Lewis have gone out to see the companies drill and left me in charge of camp and about every 5 minutes some come for a pass to go to town the Col did not give me any orders about it so I refused them all. I don't believe there is any news in camp there are several yankee papers in camp the first one I get ahold of I will send it up to Ma give my love to all of the girls and tell Sister [unclear: Seal] she must write to me.

Your affectionate Brother

Thos. M. Garber

Direct your letters
Thos. M. Garber
Care Col W. Harman
10 Reg. 7th Cav.