Augusta County: Thomas M. Smiley to William Smiley, October 17,
1861
Summary:
Discusses regiment's movement to Centerville to counter union troops movements toward Fairfax
Court House.
William Smiley
Oct 17th 1861
Camp near Centerville
Dear Father
I will this evening endeavor to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope
when these few lines reach you they may find you enjoying the same blessing. I would have
written by Mr Beard but we were ordered off on picket so sudden that I
could not do so We went on picket last thursday and got back on the next tuesday evening about
sundown eat our suppers and was preparing for a good nights rest when orders came to strike our
tents and prepare for a march no one knew where we got ready and started at three Oclock on
wednesday morning and soon found ourselves in Centerville and
pitching our tents I was then detailed on guard duty and was obliged to lose two nights sleep
so that I think you must excuse my bad writing I would not have written now but there is some
excitement in camp tonight so that I thought I had better write when I have a chance We do not expect to stay long at this camp
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it is reported that the enemy are advancing and that they are as
far as Fairfax Courthouse but I do not think that it is correct they
have advanced a little I know but not so far the object of our falling back is to get a good
place to attack them we have a very commanding position here and I think we can give them [deleted: Hail] Hail Columbia if they do not come too soon.
There is some talk of our brigade going to Winchester or at any rate some of the most
influential citizens of the valley have petitioned that we may be sent
there as there is a body of the enemy under the command of General Banks prowling about Harpers
Ferry Martinsburg and the upper potomac generally. I saw Andy
Whipple today he happened to pass our company and I recognized him he
said he knew me the moment he saw me he made a narrow escape being taken prisoner by the
yankees he had six balls fired at him and only at the distance of 30 yards a lieutenant was
taken prisoner at the same time they had left their picket posts and gone a short distance for
chestnuts when they were surprised by the enemy and taken I received the things you all sent
safe except the tomatoes which were a little mashed the comfort is
the very thing we need here but it is a little unhandy carrying about I suppose I need not
write any more as Mr Beard can give you the particulars of how we live
and get along
so nothing more at present but remain your affectionate son
T M. Smiley
