Augusta: William Brand to Kate Armentrout, September
15, 1861
Summary:
William describes some of the recent troop movements and engagements in northern
Virginia; he mentions some Union prisoners who seemed uninterested in continuing
the war. He also suggests that Kate does not take his affections for her
seriously.
September 15th 1861
Camp Harman Centreville Fairfax County Virginia
My dear Kate
As I have not heard from you for a long time, I have
seated my self this beautiful Sabbath morning for
the purpose of dropping you a few lines. I have been
looking for a letter from you for some time past. Indeed, I have not received a from Augusta for the last three weeks. I
begin to think that I am [unclear: uttrably] forsaken no one can tell
the pleasure that it affords, a poor soldier on receiving a letter from his friends & acquaintances. It
enlivens his mind & makes him energetic in
performing his duties there is no[deleted: t]
news of interest to write our advance pickets are
in two miles of the Arlington heights night before
last Stuart's
Cavalry seen their advance
guard across the river. Colonel Stuart said he was in
two miles of Washington
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they took fifteen or twenty Prisoners. John Plunket went
down to fairfax Court house he said he had an interview with some of the
Prisoners two Lieutenants & some privates they
said they
were glad that they had been taken prisoners for they did not care which way the victory went that they had been forced to come on the soil of Virginia
they said that old Abe promised to keep them in the city for to protect it and after he got them
there he made them go wherever he pleased.
I have no doubt that there will
be a forward movement on our side before long.
Artillery is going down almost every day it is said that we can burn Alexandria Georgetown &
part of Washington from halls hill, that was taken the other night it is said
that we can knock the Washington Aqueduct all to
pieces. The red flag waves in full view of the white house every day I reckon that it is very provoking to old Abe, when he
takes his spy glass & looks over into Virginia and there see what he calls
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the rebel flag waving right under his nose.
We just heard that we would have to move down the road about four miles. I am glad of it though we will be leaving a very nice camp and a healthy one. We will be nearer the enemy.
There are three men walking up and down our regiment
carrying
their
knapsacks as a punishment for their misconduct. I [added: would] as
lief be shot I believe there is great injustice done to our Company
since the battle of the 21th of June, enough to break
our Company up but hope it will not have that effect for I hope yet to see the Augusta Grays march
back to Greenville after peace is made. I would like very much to see you and open my whole
heart to you but some times I
think you care nothing for me what ever, then it cannot be that lover so pure can be treated
with coldness
there seems yet a happy future spread out before me. And I shall enjoy the Camp prize of freedom. I must soon bring my letter to a close. My health
is very good & hope this short
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letter will find you enjoying
good health. Your Brother is well and hearty my
Brothers are both well your friend James V. is well & hearty.
Give my respects to all inquiring friends. I ask an interest in your prayers that I may hold out faithful until the end. Write soon as I am ever anxious to hear from you.
nothing more but remain your true and sincere lover,
William F. B.
