Augusta County: Thomas M. Smiley to His Aunt, November 12, 1862
Summary:
Thomas M. Smiley winter camp on Valley Turnpike near Winchester. It is snowing and they are waiting for their tents. He asks about a rumored wedding back home.
aunt
Nov 12th 1862
Camp Stephenson
Dear Aunt
I will endeavor this morning to write you a few lines to let you know
that I am well & hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same
blessing. We are now camped at the same place we were at this time last
year four miles below Winchester on the Valley turnpike We came here on
Monday. We received orders to move above Winchester on sunday but on
Monday morning we got orders to go below Winchester four miles and take up
Winter quarters so we are now in our quarters for the winter
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unless the enemy chase us away. We have no tents although we expect them
shortly I do not know how we would get along without tents as winter has
already set in with us there was a considerable Snow here last friday and
it is now cloudy and looks as if it would snow tonight. There has been considerable fighting along the mountain
lately. D H Hill had a skirmish with the enemy last week at Castlemans
Ferry in which the enemys loss was forty killed, and one hundred wounded;
and not a single man on our side injured. We also took several hundred
prisoners, at Harpers Ferry lately, they are now in Winchester under a
strong guard. It has been reported here that One division of the enemy;
numbering ten, or fifteen, thousand men threw down their arms and refused
to come on confederate soil to fight; but said that if we
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would go to invade them they would do their best fighting. I would not
care much if they were all like this division refuse to invade us. I
heard a few days ago that there has been a wedding close to you, John
McKenny, & Hannah Berry Lieutenant
Carson got a letter last week in which it was that they were married and
on a bridal trip to Giles County. Tell Mary that I think it is pretty
near time she was writing as I have not got any word from home since I
started away three weeks ago. I must now draw my note to a close by
asking you to excuse all mistakes bad writing etc.
Give my love to Aunt Ann, Uncles Jamess family and all other enquiring friends also receive a due share yourself from your affectionate nephew
Thomas. M. Smiley
