Augusta: William F. Brand to Kate Armentrout, June
23, 1861
Summary:
Brand tells Kate about her friends in the army and a typical Sunday in camp. He
also expresses a desire to "whip the deamons of the North."
fourth letter
Mrs. Kate Brand
Greenville
Augusta Co
Virginia
June 23th 1861
Berkeley County Virginia Camped in the Woods 3 Miles below Martinsburg
Dear Kate
I received your kind and much welcomed letter a few days since and was glad to hear from you. I should
have answered it sooner but we have been moving from place to place for the last two weeks & hardly ever near a Post office & to day I am Twenty five miles
from one but I have concluded to write at any rate hoping
that I might [added: have] a chance of sending it
before long. My health is very good and I hope these
uninteresting lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. Cousin Jas. V. is well and hearty. Your friend J.P. Lightner was here
yesterday evening he belongs to the Rockbridge College boys it is a fine company he said when he got
to Strasburg it was reported that we were fighting in Winchester & when he got there
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he heard that we were fighting in Martinsburg & he pushed on and when he got
there he was told we were
fighting at our encampment it seems that it does some
persons good to lie just to keep up the excitement but it
will not be long I hope until we shall soundly whip
the demons of the North for the bloodthirsty villains
have invaded our soil at different points & taken
property & searched the houses for money. I
cannot write any thing to day that will interest
you it being Sunday & to see no change in the soldiers if one did not
keep the account of the days he would not know when Sunday comes. Some of the
men are playing cards, oh that men would fear the
lord more & serve him better. Sam Fitch has to
go on duty this morning for an hour or two & he
looks mad I reckon he thinks he is violating the Sabbath but it is not his fault. I have had good luck I have not had to go on
duty on Sunday yet.
I had to stop writing for a little while as one of my mess wanted in his box he took out his Bible and I opened it & commenced reading at the sixty third psalm and read three or four Chapters they seemed to revive my low spirits I shall ever put my trust in the lord who is able to do what so ever he will.
You asked me to send you my likeness to you I will the first opportunity though it will not be a good one for I am burned almost black with the sun.
I do not know when I may have the opportunity of having it taken. I must bring this uninteresting letter to a Close hoping that it may not be long until I may get back to old Augusta give my love to all inquiring friends remember me [deleted: when] in the hours of your devotion if no where else.
I remain yours &C as ever
W.F. Brand
P.S. Please write soon for I am most happy to hear from at any time yours &C. W.F.B.
