Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
November 2, 1863
Summary:
William writes to Kate of the death of Thomas during a recent skirmish, his
thoughts on the Confederacy, and his attempts to give up tobacco.
Miss Amanda C. Armentrout
Greenville
Augusta Co
Va
Miss Amanda C. Armentrout
Nov 2th 1863
Camp Dale near Brandy Station
My Dear Friend
I received your letters by your Pa last Friday night was truly glad to hear from you. My health is not very good I have been suffering for some time with a bad cold & cough & headache through the day time I think I am getting somewhat better & hope ere long to be myself again. Hope this may find you enjoying health with all other worldly blessings.
I have sad news to communicate in this; Brother Thomas is no more; He was killed
in the skirmish near Bratton Station the 26th of last month poor Bro never knew what hurt him he was shot in the left breast
[page 2]
the ball ranging through or near the heart. I never knew what it was to have a brother shot down in battle before. It seemed
to me at the time that if I had have been owner of the Confederacy I would have
given it to have life restored to his inanimate frame once more I got his body
hauled back to our camp near Brandy I tried all day long the 27th to get a
furlough for John to take his body home but failed Mr. Anderson came down the
eve of the 27th & I got him to start back
next morning with Brothers corpse. Oh it will be a severe blow on Pa. He had
been from home as it were, but a few days we were born, & we must die. The time allotted to us
here below is short indeed. If we stretch out over
hands, we may almost touch
[page 3]
the portals which terminate the path of
our mortal pilgrimage. If we listen with attention we seem to hear the labor of him who is engaged in digging our graves. And if the holy spirit is pleased to open our
ears, we may already discern the sounds which proceed from the celestial abodes, Listen oh my soul
to the warming voice, with the deepest attention, "All flesh is grass &
the glory of man is as the flower of the field, fresh & verdent in the
morning. It adorns the meadows, the sight is gladdened at its beauty, &
it sheds sweet perfume around, In the evening it is
cut down & withered. The glory is departed & it tells us that a
few hours must suffice for earthly enjoyment I will trust continually in God let
come what will I know it shall be for my good The drum beats &
[page 4]
I have to go on drill just came. Your Pa starts home in the morning I had
heard how badly Mr. Neff treated Kate B I am sorry
indeed never would have thought Neff to be such a man I must say I was duped in
him. The person that told your Ma that I knew he was going to fool her was
certainly mistaken for I never spoke of such a thing any one poor Kate has my
sympathies Tell Lizzie I wish her much luck
but she must not get married while the war lasts so all her friends may get to
see her off. Did I not write to you my reasons for not getting to see your Cous
Lizzie before leaving Staunton If I never I will now. I was running around through town until late then
I went out to the provost camp fully intending to come back before dark but your
cous, insisted on me staying with them & that I would have plenty of
time in the morning before the cars would start so I stayed
[page 5]
Early the
next morning I went to town the first place was to Mrs
Stevison Shop & there was no one there then I went to the post office to try and get some
postage stamps & there
there was no one up so I waited awhile then went back
to Bro S Shop & no one had came yet I was about to start to Mrs S
dwelling house when the cars warned me by their whistle
they were about to be off I was sorry indeed that I did
not get to see Miss L before leaving town as I only had a few minutes
conversation but I was to blame for idling my time the evening before hope she will excuse me as it can not be helped now I could not have stayed all night as I had
[page 6]
Brother Tom to take care of. I received the cheese you sent me was very thankful indeed as it was a nice little treat then
the giver made it so much better you said you would like
to send me a box; Dear Kate you know I don't expect such
things but your noble heart is so kind & generous that you seem to never
tire in giving I hope the time is not far distant when I may constantly eat of
your baking. Poor Jinnie she has bad luck hope her
wound will not cost her a doctor fee. Again you
admonish me to quit chewing tobacco It is my only
toothache preserver I had quit chewing for a day or two when my tooth commenced
aching I immediately recommenced using the weed The drum beats for dress parade
[page 7]
It is nearly dark & I will have to close my letter the boys are generally well Hunter complains of the rheumatism Bro John is well I would write more but we
have no candles I ask your sympathies in my late bereavement I
will have to have my tooth pulled then I will try and
quit chewing If I succeed I will let you know you
must write soon
nothing more but remain your true friend
W
PS My respects to all the girls excuse bad writing
& spelling
yours W.F.B.
[page 8]
Jim Vines has no files not to make rings with at present lost them all in
the campagin to Pennsylvania will try and get
it made this winter I am sorry that it is not done as I have such a good
chance of sending it to you yours &c.
W
