Augusta County: Tony Pastor to Annie Harris, June
10, 1861
Summary:
Pastor describes one of his first guard duties and the general hardships he has
faced in his early time in the army. He also asks Annie to find more recruits
for his company, offering specific suggestions and mentioning that his company
is falling behind the others in numbers. Parkers also hopes that all is well on
the homefront, and he sends his regards home.
June 10th 1861
Camp Bolivar
Dearest Annie,
I received your very welcome epistle on saturday evening & was truly glad to hear that you were in good health & enjoying yourself to the extent you spoke of. I am sorry to tell you that I lost your last letter. I was taking a short walk in the evening after reading it, on very important business of which I will not now take time to notice further, but I'll tell you all about it if I live to get back to Old Augusta
We have just returned this morning from guard duty. we were ordered out last
night as a picket guard started between seven & eight oclock &
traveled; between 2 & 3 miles to an Old Mill, where we made our headquarters. we then posted one half of them around at different points
[page 2]
where they stood for four hours. The other half staying at the mill, not being
allowed to go to sleep, as we were expecting to have an attack. some of our boys
were pretty badly scared. at seven oclock we started back for our Old Quarters
where we arrived at half past eight pretty hungry. we then partook of Bread & Beef with
coffee to our satisfaction & now I
am seated at [deleted: at] table in the
Captain's office writing to my
dear
Annie, whilst many of our Boys are fast asleep in their rooms. Billy McK. is laying close by me
knocking it off at the rates of "forty
miles an hour". I am so sleepy that I can't hardly see
the paper myself & if I should make mistakes I hope you will excuse me.
I received a note from your cousin Anne yesterday
through Mr. Craig which believe me I esteemed very
much
[page 3]
I am glad to know that the ladies are cared for by the few that are left behind.
I hope you will be successful with the Old Bachelor.
You must not let your cousin Annie get ahead of you, but I expect she is already
ahead. as he lives so convenient to her. I understood you to say you were over
with Tom. how is he & [unclear: Hamm] getting along? notify him to hold himself in reading to go. For I think all
will have to go soon. I wish you would try & get some recruits for us -
tell Davis he'll have to go & he better come
& join company I think you might get lotts of boys for [illeg.]
"Pett" you know you can do any thing in the world
with him. we would like to have about fifteen or twenty more. Our company is falling behind the others. They have been
getting a number of recruits in some of the companies. Capt. [illeg.]
[page 4]
Compy is now in Shepards
town I suppose they will have a good time. There's so many nice ladies there. I
almost wish I was there myself. I can't remember what was in your letter, so I
can't answer as I would like to. This is the only sheet of paper I have,
& I have no money to pay postage so I'll have to quit. I can't get a bit of change no way nor no how but I expect
its best so. For if I had, I would spent it foolishly.
I must bring this filthy sheet to a close. hope to hear from you soon.
as ever yours
Tony P
I saw John T______ this morning as I was coming home. he
looks very well & seems to be in fine spirits. He
papier a [illeg.] on you says you were the finest
looking lady he saw at church. I think he is in love. I suppose I had better
be on the look out but I'll take the chances & trust to providence
for the result.
N.B. Please let no one this sheet Annie
Tony
P
