Augusta County: Various authors to Annie Harris,
[date unknown]
Summary:
This note, written on a pay sheet for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Company, contained two separate parts, both to Ms. Harris. The first was
written by a Dr. "S. A. T.," the second by Tony Pastor.
The first
letter describes camp life in some detail, including exhaustive marches,
hot weather, and mental exhaustion caused by false alarms of battle. The
second letter mentions sickness in the camp and includes Pastor's usual
complaints that Annie does not write often enough.
Sunday 23 186
Five miles beyond Martinsburg
Our Dear & highly respected Annie
This paper as you will perceive has been pressed
by friend Toney from the Baltimore & Ohio company. but nevertheless
we hope you will excuse the paradoxity in which I am about to get. Here
[illeg.] we [unclear:
lie
] down at the root of an oak to give you an idea of our camp life.
We expected to have a long march today as it is
the day on which we generally do our large marching. We are within a few
miles of the enemy's camp. On yesterday we
received information that they were crossing into Virginia and we were immediately if not sooner ordered out to meet
them We got up the road about two miles when we called a halt to wait
further news. About ten at night we were informed that they had gone back
so we returned to camp. They however were met [deleted: with] by
our cavalry who killed three or four of them. We do not know their number but we have various reports from two
to thirty thousand
[page 2]
There are only three or four thousand of us, with four pieces of artillery It
is thought that they are great cowards but, I think they are endeavoring to
get us into a snap It is certainly very trying on the constitution to be
[deleted: always] on the verge of battle and then be
disappointed. Our men seem very thoughtless & indifferent on the
subject & I expect I am a little worse than any of them. For I have
fully made up my mind to die here if necessary & I really feel
eager to get into action. I would much rather be at your father's table enjoying the delicacies which your
own hand has prepared; but since it must be so, I am perfectly satisfied.
We have just listened to a sermon from Captain
Pendleton which differed in one immaterial respect from the one you have
doubtless heard, in that we had no [unclear: fase] faces to look
upon. This I believe is the first Sabbath we have spent in rest, &
we may yet be ordered out before night.
[page 3]
The weather is dry and favorable for our mode of living only it is rather
warm. We frequently pass soldiers on the march who have fallen in the road
from heat and fatigue. It is certainly delightful to the weary soldiers
after a hard march to lie down in the woods or clover field as it may be,
and gaze at the moon & stars. Lest Toney should think I am
monopolizing space, (& I have no doubt I am if I know anything
about dryed apples) I will close. I can never forget, & shall ever
appreciate your kindness to me; & if it should be my misfortune
never to return I hope you at least will not allow my memory to perish with
my body. [unclear: How] arrived in camp last evening, he was
complaining a little but [unclear: he's] better this morning. He
say he don't know whether he will remain or not
Some of my love to all friends and the rest which you will find much the
greater portion unless the bag leaks, [deleted: and] you will
reserve for yourself
Your sincere friend
S. A. T.xxxxxxx
Exit Doctor Enter Toney:
John is now enjoying a sick repast, served up in soldier style, consisting
of dry bread & ____ beef which doubtless he enjoys as much if not
more than the delicacies he spoke of in the introduction of this epistle.
It is not worth my while to attempt to give you a d[deleted: i]escription of our camp. John has already given you a full description, & in much better style
than I could even if I were to try. This day appears more like sunday than
any that I have passed over since
[page 4]
I left home. Mr John Lightner
arrived here on yesterday with [unclear: How] & several
other boys from town.
I have written some three letters to you since I left the Ferry & as
yet have not received one from you. As for the note that accompanied yours
& Miss Jennie I would say as I have done that I hope you will drop
the question in discussion. & believe me to be as ever your devoted friend. I thought from the winding up of
it that you meant differently, but I am [unclear: strongly] glad
[unclear: to]
[illeg.] that such was not the case. [illeg.] You still
have a heart that vibrates to the [unclear: chords] of love I must
bring this letter to a close - for we can't get
time to write any more at present
yours truly in haste
Tony P____
P.S. Sam Thompson is laying by my side sound asleep - says he is going to cease all corrispondence after today, when you write direct to Winchester. Our boys are tolerably well some have mumps & some have the measles. Our Captain is down with the mumps now in Winchester but is better my respects to all but for John's & my sake dont show this [illeg.] Tony
