Augusta County: John Wise to Mary Wise, August 17, 1862
Summary:
John Wise writes to his sister Mary about being able to see a "Yankey" camp and about an
anticipated battle in Culpepper. He also sends messages to people at home, discusses crops, and
requests cheese and apple butter.
Mary Wise
Sundy Aug 17th 1862
Orange C.H. County Vir.
Dear Sister,
As William Bratton has got a furlough for a few days, I will write you a few lines. We got to stay in camp to day for the first time for several weeks. I had the pleasure of looking at the yankee camp on yesterday.
We were sent out on a foraging expedition and I was sent up on a little mountain to stand picket while the wagon were [unclear: loadening]. We could see the yankees riding about the camp very plainly with a glass. They have a large force down in Culpeper. Six yankeescame over on yesterday and gave themselves up to our men. Jacksons whole army moved forward on yesterday. There will be a large battle down here on a few days if Jackson whips the yankees out here it wont be a great while until there will be peace made. It is reported that the yankees are all leaving be low [illeg.]. They are all dying down there.
Jackson has a large force here. He has Generals Hills and Longstreets divisions. I think Jackson will give Pope a good grubbing. Wm A. Bratton is very glad to go home. He has been trying to go [deleted: to go home] for some time. Tell Miss Harriet Cleek that William has been dreaming about her for some months. I hope he will be satisfied when he gets home for he has been uneasy about his cattle. Geroge Cleek sends his best respects to you and says when ever he gets a furlough you may hear of him on the Cow Pasture below Williamsville.
Give my best respects to Harriet Cleek and all the Young Ladies on Jacksons river. I won't have time to write a long letter to you this time for I have to go on camp duty tonight, and the time for the bugle to sound is near at hand. I expect that we will move in a few days some where else.
Excuse bad writing and mistakes.
Your Brother
John Wise, Com. F 17 Bat. Virginia Cav.
P.S. In the morning. I had a cold night of it last nght. I heard that the yankees were falling back. Lieutenant McGuffin has resigned and gone home on account of his health. I want you to make me a cheese and send it to me a piece of cheese would not eat bad. We get plenty of bread and mead and that is all we get. We can have some stewed apples occasionally when we can get them. If there is plenty of apples you can make apple butter. This is a fine country down here it looks like old Augusta. The wheat crops and corn crops are very fine in this county. Culpeper is a fine county as far as I have been. Give my best respects to Father &c. You must write by mail the company has been getting letters by mail. I have nothing more of interest to write you this time. Yours As, John Wise Com. F 17th Battalion of Virginia Cavalry. Mary E. Wise, Wilson Va.
