Augusta County: George W. Baylor to Mary C. Baylor,
September 4, 1861
Summary:
George Baylor's letter to his sister, Mary, describes some of the gruesome images
he has seen after a battle in northern Virginia, near Washington. He also
expresses a wish to see the war settled before winter.
September the 4 1861
Manassas Junction
Dear Sister
I this opportunity to seat myself to write you a few lines to let you all
know that we are all well at this time, except Mr. Craig
was worse yester day. I have not heard from him this morning but I hope he is better. I received your
letter last week. We hear the Cannons roaring here every day from near [unclear:
Alexandria
] our troops drove them back off over Shooters hill the other morning
it is five miles from Washington. They can see the City plain from the hill.
They have got good range for the Cannons on the City from the hill. they are in
sight of each other all the time our forces are moving up on them every day. I
was out on the battle field last Friday it was a smart sight to see it just to
see how the houses how they are tore to pieces that
they hardly stand up on the bank where Sherman Battery was taking they are fifty
horses dying on one acre of ground and to see the dead
bodies lying over the field some of them not buried and some lying on top
of the ground with a little dirt on them some are
[unclear: prised] up out of the dirt and
they are setting up with their
[page 2]
clothe hanging around there
[unclear: carens] the rest is out drilling this morning I don't
have to drill to day I was on guard yesterday. I
want you to send me my hat the first chance you get. I must stop writing for
this time for I have no more news to write. Bruce Kerr
was down here last week he went home yesterday.
They are smart talk of peace here here now. I wish they would make haste about it be fore winter comes.
Well I must stop tell some of the rest to write to me
G W Baylor
to M C Baylor
