Augusta County: James J. Martin to Thomas M. Smiley, June 4,
1861
Summary:
Advises nephew to commit to Christ and advance himself by learning good horsemanship and the
various duties of officers. Discusses mobilization at home.
June 4th 61
Airy-Mount
My Dear Nephew,
I have for some time intended to write to you, but have deferred,
until now. I think a great deal about you, your Perilous situation particularly in a moral
point of view. The Camp is fraught with dangers more potent than even the Sword of the enemy.
let your motto be to "watch and pray lest you enter into temptation". Set your face like a
flint against sin; not in your own strength but Look to Christ for strength, to do your duty
and withstand the temptations that beset you, in the tented field. Commit your all to Christ,
And if you are called to contend, in mortal-combat, with our enemies; do your whole duty, and
you may safely trust in Him. Be careful not to expose yourself more than
is necessary, particularly in the night air, rest when you can. Learn all that you can that
will be useful. if you have an opportunity to learn horsemanship embrace it you will see good
horsemanship I do not know whether you will have an opportunity of
practicing horsemanship but if you have put yourself to inconvenience to have the advantage of training under a
riding-master. You are deficient in the art of riding and it is important now while you are
young you should correct the defect. I want you to get Military books & study the Tactics with a view of being fitted for
any Command in the Army try to know every officers duty then you will know when they perform
their duty; and when you are imposed upon It may be that some opening may Occur that you may
get an office during your term If not you will be better fitted to act well your part as a
private Soldier. I have this day headed a paper with my name the object of which is to raise a
Company, to be independent of the call of the
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State but pledged to go anywhere,
Necessity seems to require; to defend our homes & the honor & interest of the state. Josiah & Lowrie are anxious to join a
Company of little boys they are trying to raise at New- Port. A flag of the Confederate States
now waves over NewPort on a pole 60 or 70 feet high Nearly all men
& women are for defending The State against Northern
invasion. We as a family are all in our usual health the boys are going to School &
Sallie has obtained our consent to go tomorrow Lettie is Crawling all about & walking
around a chair or when held by the hands. Your Fathers family were all well on Sabbath but I
suppose some of them will write with Hite or Craig your Uncle John & Aunts Ann
& Ellen were well yesterday. Tell William S Wright if you have
an Opportunity that his Fathers Family are well except Nannie and she is at Mr Withrow's she
has sunk very much since he left but for the last week has been better. I have not spoken but a
few words to John Berry since his return & that last Sabbath he is somewhat reduced in
flesh but says he has fattened some since he came home. We have had a dry time for some time
until last night & today we have had some fine showers. Corn
& Oats has made a poor start wheat is looking pretty well. Write to me as soon as you
can give as full an account of matters as you can. Daily prayer is offered for you &
your Companions in Arms, & also publicly on Sabbath at NP Church Your Aunt Lizie
& the Children all that can speak join me in sending love to you they talk a great deal about you ask a great many questions about you.
yours affectionately
James J Martin
Thomas M Smiley
