Augusta: William F. Brand to Kate Armentrout, May
25, 1861
Summary:
Brand writes to Kate of picket duty, arriving troops from other states, and her
friends and family in camp. He also shares some rumors of the Union occupation
of Alexandria, and says that every member of the Augusta Grays who voted in the
recent elections voted in favor of secession.
May 25th 1861
Harpers Ferry Camp Bolive
Dear Kate
It is with pleasure to me, that I am permitted to write
you a few lines I received
your much welcomed letter a few days since and have
taken this highly favored opportunity of writing. My health is very good as well
as your Brothers and I hope when these
few lines comes to hand that you may be enjoying the
same blessing with all other earthly enjoyments. There
are from fifteen to twenty thousand Soldiers here at
present there was
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some rumors
here last night that the federal troops had taken possession of Alexandria there was a secession flag there & one
secessionist stood by it & said the first man that attempted to take it
down he would kill & one of the officers of the federal troops walked up
to it and took hold of it and was shot down in his tracks but the secessionist suffered the same fate he was shot down &
cut to pieces he well knew what would be his fate,
but his love to the new
confederacy was sweeter than death.
There is eleven Hundred
Alabamians & with them two of my Uncles, John
& William
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Mosley. I see them almost every day they are both very lively. Uncle William
& my self was on duty night before last we were
speaking of our post I told him I had the best post on
the round & he said he had the best for a lady
sent his supper out to him & that he would be back there for his breakfast. I told him
that I would relieve him but
neither one got our meals there.
There is two thousand Mississippians
here
they are keen for a fight they
are in favor of going to Washington & give the republicans a round or
so. The north must keep their feet off
of Virginia soil or there will
be blood shed. All of the Augusta Grays voted
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for secession but two & they did not vote fifteen or twenty of us
was not old enough, but our Captain told us to vote if we could & every one of us voted one of
our low life men talked like he would oppose our votes
and the gentle man was about to get him self into business he got so bad scared
that he went and voted for secession. John is not so lively as he was when at
home. My friend James is well you will hear from him before long. Mr Apple told
me to send his love to who ever I was writing to I intend to come up to see you
before long. I ask an interest in your prayers that
I may hold out faithful to the end.
I remain yours affectionately
William F. Brand
Write soon as I am always anxious to hear from you all
