Augusta County: Samuel Franklin Carson to Annie
Harris, January 24, 1864
Summary:
Carson tells Annie about his trip from home back to the Army after a furlough. He
mentions that at the moment many of the men have furloughs to get married and
that he should be able to return home soon.
January 24th 1864
Camp Randolph
My Own Dear Annie
I have just returned from preaching & having ate a hearty dinner, will now devote a few moments in writing to you. I arrived at camp last evening about dusk (nearly exhausted, having walked from Orange Courthouse a distance of 7 miles over the worst road you ever saw in your life) - found all the boys well & doing well. I will now give you a brief history of my trip.
I left home on Monday evening went by the way of Midway Dr. B's being along, from
thence to Uncle Billie's where we stayed all night. Tuesday morning
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I
[unclear: put] off for town & had everything in readiness to leave the next morning. Stayed all night
with Mr Marquis, had quite a nice time with refugee lady from Alexandria.
Wednesday morning I was at the cars by times, but could not get my baggage on,
consequently I had to lay over until Thurday. I put in
the time as best I could during the day stayed all night again with Marquis.
Thursday morning I got up to the [unclear: depot] just in time to be too
late, so there I was, my hopes gone on & me left, I then ascertained
there would be a freight down. So after breakfast I jumped aboard the freight
train and put off. I had not gone far however until I
missed my sword. I had put it
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away after the first [added: train] had left supposing I would not get off that day,
& then came off & left it. I telegraphed from Waynesboro to
Henry Rop who brought it down the next day. Thursday evening we arrived at
Gordonsville. I found my boxes in the Depot. Friday evening we left for Orange
Courthouse I found several of the boys there but
no conveyances, so I had to lay over until Saturday. I
must say that I never spent such a night as the one I spent in Orange,
considering that I was at the Hotel, at least they had
a sign out. But I shall not attempt a description now - several of the boys in
the Regiment have gotten furloughs & gone home to
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marry - so
I presume there will be no difficulty about getting a special furlough if the
Army remains quiet. This can be ascertained hereafter, so I will say nothing
more at present.
Buck & Frank send their love to you - excuse haste bad writing [deleted: ] & believe me to be as ever yours
Frank
P.S.
Direct as heretofore
