Augusta County: Samuel B. Coyner to Mary Anna Sibert, January
20, 1861
Summary:
Samuel B. Coyner wrote from camp in Hedgesville, (West) Virginia, to one of the "Mt Solon
girls," Miss M. A. Sibert. He excuses the tardiness of his letter by describing his injuries
sustained in a sleigh ride gone awry. He also asserts the sobriety of his conduct since
entering his company and mentions several joint acquaintances.
Address Martinsburg!
Jan. 20, 1861-
Hedgesville, Virginia
Miss Mary Anna Sibert,
My dear friend,--
On account of a lame hand, got in a frolic, I have not written to
you as soon as I intended. I should have written to you on my last arrival at this place; but
on last Friday night (this is Monday) I became very glusome and determined to have a sleigh
ride. One of the boys said if I got a sleigh, he would furnish the horse and we would have a
ride. Slipping around in one of the alleys, I "pressed" the desired article and hitching in
[illeg.] the horse, we started off, for Martinsburg distance 7
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miles; we
went within sight of the town, but the pickets would not let us through, as it was after the proscribed hour, being about 12 o'clock. We then turned back
and came in fine style till within 3 miles of camp, when the horse took fright and started. I
tried to stop him by running him into the fence-course, but that made matters worse, or better I scarce know which, for the vehicle upset, threw us all out,
myself upon my face, nearly breaking my nose and spraining my thumb, and by my trying to hold
him, dragged me several paces bruising and blackening my eye in an ugly manner. He got away you
may guess after all and dashed into town at a wild
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rate. There was still another
sleigh and I with the two belonging to that got into it & drove off, but had not gone
more than 50 paces before that horse started also. We got free however, without any additional
injuries, and sleigh and horse dashed on. We now had to walk along a road which not an hour
before we had passed so merrily with jingling of bells and shouting of glad voices. And so
ended the chapter, with the exception of the repairing of the sleighs. - And I had forgot to
say that in our party were three sleighs, one broke down & two were run away with, and
none came into town whole. Four sleighs were smashed up that night. I know you will think that
we were on a spree. If you dont [unclear: Mag] will. But I was not.
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I was just as sober then as I am in writing this letter. Indeed so
sober has been my conduct since I have been in the company, that the boys say they would not
believe it if they saw "Samuel B.," as they call him, drunk. And I am
not [unclear: boasting] in the least. -- But I am taking up all my letter in the
description of my sleigh ride. I have no news however, of
importance. We are back again in the glorious little town of Hedgesville after a most terrible
scout. Indeed, we had a rougher time than we have ever had. Two soldiers of one of the Georgia
Regs- like to have froze to death &
two young men who were visiting their acquaintances really did freeze. We
expect to quarter here for the Winter & most of the boys are well pleased, there being
plenty of pretty and dear girls here. Give my love to all the family & all the Mt Solon
girls & [unclear: Maggie] & the [unclear: Dr.] & little
May.
& believe me your eternal friend,
Samuel B. Coyner
I suppose you have heard of John since the battle of Beth. I saw him & all my acquaintances they looked hearty. They are in Romney now I think-- Tell Ella Ill write to her soon
