Augusta County: Tony Pastor to Annie Harris, May
29, 1861
Summary:
Pastor notes that during the dress parades women from the country come to
watch, though he is no "lady's man." He mentions that Annie's cousin Anne B
has also written to him. And he discusses his relationship with Annie.
May 29th 1861
Camp Bolivar
Friend Annie,
I received your letter dated May the 23rd on last Sabbath & was glad to know that you had
not entirely forgotten your absent friend. I wrote you a long letter while on the "Shenandoah
Heights" one Sabbath
& sent the same by Dr. McChesney, which should have reached you by
the time Lieutenant McKanny arrived at home,
but I suppose you never received it. As you only spoke of receiving a note.
I have nothing of interest to write you now. Things are going on about as
they were when I last wrote you. I have seen some nice ladies this week. In
the evening when we go on Dress parade they begin to come in from the
country & assemble on the parade
ground
until it's a very difficult matter to get though
the crowdin consequence of their "extension
shirts". Yesterday I had the exquisite pleasure of becoming acquainted
with a beautiful little girl, but she was [unclear: summoned] so
with soldiers that I had no chance
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of
cultivating it to any extent.
I have had so little to say to the ladies since I left that I hardly know what way to conduct myself in their presence not being a lady's man. & this you know.
I got a letter from your dear Cousin Anne B - which I estimate very highly indeed from the fact, that she is the only lady (except your self) who has thought enough of one to write. I also received a nice rosette from her that I will endeavor to keep as long I possibly can as a token of her respect for me.
You wished to know the state of my health in your last? well I am in good health. never engaged better in my life. I think that the camp life will agree with me firstrate if I can only get plenty of [unclear: provender. ]
You need have no fear of my coming to the conclusion you spoke of in your
last from the fact that I am no longer held (by you) with the
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same esteem that I have reason to believe I once was. This is my humble
opinion, which I drew from the winding up of your last. I had no idea of
ever hearing that thrown up to me again. I think you ought to let "by
gones" be "by gones". And not harbor the idea any longer. I am very much
obligated to you, for anything you have done
in endeavoring to make my stay here comfortable & agreeable. And I
sincerely hope that your pathway through this life may be strewn with
flowers, & that you may have a peaceful entrance at last into
heaven above.
I must bring this uninteresting note to a close. hoping to hear from you soon.
I subscribe myself your true friend and well wisher,
Tony Pastor
P.S. Give my love to all my acquaintances Tell Miss
Jennie I would like to hear from her. I had my beauty taken a few
moments ago
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with a linsey
shirt
[deleted: on] my sword & pistol buckled on my
side.
P.S. 2nd May 30 -
As I did
not get this in the office yesterday I will add a few words this
morning. The West
Augusta
Guards & Captain Hannan's company left under sealed orders last night. Their destination unknown. We were
expecting to get orders too, but haven't as yet received them. Half the Lexington
Artillery left last saturday John & Sam Thompson with them
distination unknown. Boys all well this
morning. Tony
