Augusta County: S.B. Coyner to Mary Anna Sibert,
December 1, 1861
Summary:
Coyner complains about the privations of camp life, defends his company's actions
in a recent battle, and brags about his "adventures with the fair sex" since
becoming a soldier.
I have had quite a few adventures with the fair sex since I have become a soldier. One the Pase ladies (quite a belle) heard of my adventure with the flag in the battle of Romney and sent me her picture. I won't let it stop there I assure you. How sweet it is to be appreciated by the ladies; God bless 'em! Give me all the news; tell me all about Ellen & Ms. SC. -- won't you? and all about Miss Sue. I can't hear from her. She's a schoolgirl. Don't you sympathize with me.
Dec. 1st, 1861
Camp Cold Hill, Va
Miss M.A. Sibert,
My very dear friend.-- I know you think my friendship is false, when I neglect
you so long; but indeed I had good reasons for my conduct. We soldiers have hard
times. To us the luxuries of life are so often denied. To us places as well as
life are very uncertain. [unclear: At] one time there is a feast
& at another there is a famine. Never before have I been in such
straits. Sometimes without paper and writing material and then without money to
pay the postage on my letters you may know that the soldier who has thrown away
his all, and staked his all, even to his life, for his country, has nothing now
but his sword and his reputation, and that sometimes he must forgo the pleasure
of writing to his dearest friends.-- But my ink is out; and there is none on the
premises. I must wait till morning &
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you must excuse my short
imperfect letter this time, and I will try and do better next time I have no
news from this desolate region. [unclear: Make.] & Hubert
[unclear: Jordan] & [unclear: O.G. Lianberger] are
all absent I suppose you have heard of the death of
[unclear: Lianbr.ger's] youngest sister of Diphtheria. Give my love to
all the family & believe me your everlasting friend & lover,--
SB Coyner
