Augusta County: Mary A. Smiley to Thomas M. Smiley, July 27,
1861
Summary:
Discusses details regarding the battle of Manassas.
Thomas M. Smiley
July 27th /61
Dear Brother
Received your letter yesterday & now hasten to answer it & give you the
desired information as far as I know myself. The loss of the South in Sundays battle is
reported to have been 500 killed & 800 wounded whilst the North admit a loss of 5,000
but it is estimated at 10,000 by the south. All their cannon was taken except two pieces 67 in
all amongst them the Sherman battery which is said to be the most
famous battery in the United States Besides there is no estimate to be made of the amount of
small arms taken a great many besides those belonging to the slain. they just loosed their belt
and cast away their arms knapsack haversack & all in their retreat. Old Scott's
carriage is said to have been taken all his plans & dispatches & his epauletts.
They had not the least expectation of a defeat & their plan was after taking that place
to feast one day and then to go on and take Richmond. We have got back enough of provisions men
amp;c now to pay for what was taken from us in Western Virginia. The
prisoners were let off on parole & have gone home but I think it
was scarcely worthwhile going home. Pa hailed a man the other
day and gave him his dinner that was in the fight at Laurel Hill and was taken prisoner The
company were from Halifax County and going home on parole. He said they
were kindly treated by McClellan. He appeared to be very near give
out. Pa having come from Beards and wanting to write some has left very little for me to tell
Sib Strain brought home a Charly Bell, on Wednesday he had his arm & shoulder shot
off though he did not die until after he started with him. Strain
started back yesterday he was not in the battle he could not find his company & was
only a spectator to the bloody work. Johnston's men it is said
fought until 11 oclock and were about being flanked & his men
being exhausted were about to give way when Beauregard came to his
assistance & afterward Davis when they charged for them. They could not stand the cold
steel and ran. It is reported that we came very near getting Seward as for Scott it is not
known what became of him The militia are still at Staunton some of them have been at home
several times though. It is raining today & pa & ma have
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gone to Uncle Jim's They wanted to see Arehart before he starts He expects to start
tomorrow I reckon he is afraid to stay longer also George Clemmer and his father they expected
to go to the Junction but Uncle J intended telling them of what you wrote so I dont know what
they will do. You are very silent about your spell of sickness You must be afraid to tell how
bad you were for we heard from Bil Arehart that you were very bad. Pa wants to know why you
dont tell more particularly about it, you put almost too good a face on
the measles quite a light disorder I suppose you think. We started a
letter Tuesday to Winchester I reckon you can get it there if you want it there was a good deal
of it for Tish & me both wrote
Nothing more but remain your affectionate sister
Mary A Smiley
Thomas M. Smiley my Dear Son
I have just been to William Beards hearing a letter from Samuel written on tuesday after the Battle at the
Junction he Says there is not a man of the Southern Guards killed or
wounded but Captain Williams who was Slightly wounded with a Splinter threw against him by a cannon ball Striking a fence or Some timber and Struck
him across the face but so Slightly that he is Still able to be
with his Company Johnsons Army Suffered very much especially the Virginia Regiment Baxter Ott is killed and Several others from Augusta & Rockbridge all
of whom I do not remember I have heard from President Davis dispatch both to Congress & his wife Stating the number killed
& wounded South 500 killed 800 wounded and the North a great many prisoners the killed not known but they piled on top of one another in
front and were Strewed over the ground thick for ten miles we took it is
Said sixty-seven cannon with the great Sherman Battery and
thousands of Small arms of every
description and provisions enough to
last the whole Southern army for Sometime and camp instruments
of all kinds but I have taken up so much of the paper I will close by remaining your Father
etc. Wm Smiley
