Augusta County: Clinton Hatcher to Mary Anna Sibert, August 26,
1861
Summary:
Clinton Hatcher describes his pleasant accommodations in camp, the poor food supplied by the
Confederacy, the rigors of dress parades, and his inability to keep the Sabbath. He replies to
questions by Mary Sibert about receiving God's forgiveness for killing and about the treatment
of southern civilians.
Hamilton Va Paid 5
Aug 28
Miss Mary A. Sibert
Mt.
Solon
Augusta County
Virginia
Aug. 26 th
Camp Johnson
Dear Miss Mary:
Your long and interesting letter was received yesterday evening and perused with the greatest pleasure. Indeed I do owe you many thanks for your punctuality in writing and for your long letters; they assist very much to relieve the monotony of camp life, but even that reason for appreciating them is small when compared with that of cultivating the friendship of one whom I love so much, though a recent acquaintance. But "time is measured by heart throbs not by figures on a dial".
I am sorry that I am compelled to write with a pencil. I know that in going so far it must
become very dimm, but it is almost impossible to procure ink and pens which will write, so that
it has become an almost universal custom in the army--and I believe with soldiers
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at other places to write with a pencil.
We are now encamped about six miles from Leesburg, eight from home and about half that from
the enemy. At present we are living next door to a cornfield and of
course live very well, as the owner is a patriotic Southerner and has given us full permission
to pull and eat. Besides this my cousin and myself have a nice little box in one corner of our
tent which is usually plentifully supplied with provisions from home. So you see as we have a
private tent, made at home for us we live quite pleasantly and do not stand so much in and of
your sympathies as you supposed. All this is very fine but I can't tell how long it will last
we were ordered this morning to pack our knapsacks and be ready to march at a moment's warning,
so by tomorrow we may be down on the
river without either tent or bed other than one blanket. We have one company of howitzers
attached to our Brigade, two
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of the pieces are here with our regiment and the other
two have been down on the river for the last three days during which time they have fired
upwards of a hundred rounds and killed a good many of the Yankees. One field officer was seen
to fall dead after a fire on yesterday. When we cannot get provisions from home our fare is so
bad that it is almost impossible to eat it unless near starvation. We can get enough grease by
skimming the coffee to oil our boots, and the bread is much worse than the coffee. War is
unpleasant, we all wish it over, but nevertheless I have seen very few soldiers who will not
volunteer again when the time of their enlistment has expired.
You ask if I do not think a just God will forgive those who kill the enemies of the South. I
believe we need no forgiveness for ridding the earth of such as in defiance of justice and
religion attempt to [illeg.] the
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chains of slavery upon our glorious
country. I think I could say like Pendleton after pointing his guns, "God have mercy on their
sinful souls, and may this volley kill a thousand; fire boys". Indeed I long to begin the march
to Washington. Thousands of Marylanders would flock to our standard if once we could cross the
river. That ever brave little state has already sent over many to assist in the defense of Virginia's Soil and when fighting in their own land in defense of their homes how many more might we expect to join us. Kentucky
alone has [unclear: deceive] me and acted the coward. The degenerate sons have
disgraced their illustrious sires; may they soon repent and turn. Tennessee the old "volunteer
state" has not changed and the Yankees will find that her sons are as brave now as when in
Mexico the retreating [illeg.] formed behind them. But I fear I shall weary even you
with writing about the war; few persons would have had
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the patience to read even
this much.
We heard not long since from our Orderly Sergeant, who was taken prisoner in the battle of Manassas, he is confined in the capitol and treated very kindly.
I know you cannot wish more heartily than I do that I could be in Augusta once more. I know, with you for a guide and companion, I could never weary of rambling over that beautiful county. I am devoted to horseback riding and then with such company--it really makes me dissatisfied with camp life to think of its depriving me of such pleasure as that. But Bobby Burns says that "man was made to mourn" and the best way to obviate the necessity of always wearing a long face is to learn to bear disappointments with resignation.
I received a letter from Chum a day or two after I last wrote to you and wrote him a long one in return.
The evening you last wrote I was not
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on duty. I do not remember the dreams of
that night but I can assure you that among my sleeping and waking fancies no form, oftener
adds joy to the picture, than that of a lady in Mt. Solon. Two nights
after you wrote I was on duty. I was very unwell and it was a dark, rainy night. No soft moon
smiled on me, as I relieved the weary sentinels, to remind me of an absent dear one; but the
dismal pattering of the rain accorded with the dull aching of my head and the despondency of my
spirits. Then I could hardly believe any one cared
for me, even now I can not imagine any one dreaming of me.
You say that "you would freely die to save the life of one soldier". Who is that happy one? I will not tell. Confide in me. Does Georgia number him among her
brave sons? From wherever he may hail he is the most fortunate of men. There is the drum for
Battalion drill and Dress Parade so you must excuse me for two hours.
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Well Dress Parade is over at last and although supper is ready, it has not enough attraction
to make me postpone any longer the conclusion of my little "chat" with you. The Battalion Drill
is the hardest thing we have here, and as left guide of the company I have to notice all the
time as the Major has an especial spite against me and is always trying to find some fault if
possible. One of my great objections to camp life is the total disregard of Sunday. In fact our
Sunday drills are generally the hardest for then we have so many visitors that the officers try
to show off and nearly kill us in the attempt. You speak of the difference between Northern and
Southern treatment of private citizens. This is especially marked in our Regiment, we are
encamped at present in a union neighborhood, where most of the inhabitants are abolitionists
and yet although secessionists have been robbed and driven from their homes only a few miles
from here
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we take not a cent's worth without offering the cash for it.
I shall write to you as often as possible that is if I do not think I could weary you. And please remember at the same time that nothing can give me greater pleasure than receiving your kind long letters as frequently as possible. An ambrotypist came to Leesburg last week and I was able to get a picture to leave with Ma if I am killed. I have been wishing for some time to get a good one for her and although this is not very good it will serve to recall to her mind how I looked as a soldier. Now you see I have written you the longest letter I have mailed for a long time and written punctually too, So you will greatly oblige me by following my good example.
And believe me ever to be your most devoted and unchanging friend,
Clinton
