Augusta County: Asher Harman to Albert Garber,
September 24, 1862
Summary:
Harman writes to his Uncle Albert to praise the bravery and dedication of his
cousin, Thomas Garber.
September 24th , 1862
Camp near Charlestown
Dear Uncle,
I have been for some time intending to write you, but pressing times have prevented my doing so. For a wonder I am quiet this morning with nothing but the usual camp duties to perform.
Tom is well, tell his Mother that I have been very much & agreeably
disappointed with him. When he left Staunton with
me I though he would be hard to manage & in truth I thought him little
or no account. But I have found him not only useful,
generous and Brave to a fault, But I have found in him a pious regard for the
truth, His word when given never broken, a disposition
and temper rarely if ever muffled, and for one of his age a Boy that any one
might be proud to call their son. In the Ardous & hotly contested fields
we have operated on. He has always been at his Post.
And at Brandy Manasas & Poulsville my heart
[page 2]
beat with pride, when I saw the flag of my Regiment
ever in front & borne proudly in the hottest of the fight by him. Say to
his Mother that I will care for him as I would [deleted: &
will] for one of my Boys if they were old enough to fight for their country's freedom. I have made no request of Tom, but
that is has been readily granted. He has thrown aside whiskey smoking &
tobacco, and I think is trying very hard to be all that you & his Mother
would desire him to be. I have not written this to flatter him, but as a just
tribute to a good & gallant Boy. My kindest Love to Aunt Mary Jane Addy
& the Children By the way the Boys tell me Addy & Gen. Thomson
are about making a match, tell Addy she must wait until Tom & me can come Home, to enjoy the fun & good
things. Cousin Jimmy shall give her a big fuss. Good bye.
Your affec nephew
Asher W Harman
I saw Asher & Mike Sunday. Gen Lee said theirs was the best served Battery on the Field.
