Augusta: William Brand to Kate Armentrout, October
4, 1861
Summary:
William responds to Kate's charge that he is trifling with her by also professing
his love to a Miss Hiss. He also described his week on picket duty within sight
of Washington.
October 4th 1861
Camped Near Fairfax Court House
Dear Kate
I have taken the present opportunity of [deleted: writing] time, to write you a few lines for
the purpose of answering your last letter which I received a few days since. You wrote as if I was
trifling with your good nature. I would rather fall in the cause of our country
than to blindfold you in any way. You were mistaken in
seeing a letter of mine to Miss Hiss as you stated. I recollect well at the last of my letter to her I had.- from your devoted friend and if you don't believe me I only ask you to look at it again none
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but Sam Fitch knew my motive in writing her that letter
it was for his benefit she had lost confidence in
him, on account of some lies that had been told on him about her. She wrote to me stating that I was in Sam's
presence when he talked about her. She said that if
the things were true she was done with Sam for ever. It
was all a lie that some of his enemies had
[unclear: made] on him, through Sam's
persuasion I tried to write a forcible letter for I knew
that Sam still loved her. & I am certain that
she once loved him. I suppose if she was my devoted lover I would have written
to her since which I have never done. Very probably this will
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be hard to believe
but it is even so; your
advice is good but in no way. I don't think that I have
tried to fool any one & God forbid that I should. I have had [deleted: ] blues ever since I received
[illeg.] letter. I used to think that [illeg.] nature was too strong to [illeg.] be subject unto grief but
alas it is far from it.
There are no news of importance to write. Our regiment was on picket last
week. I could see the dome of the Capitol in
Washington City on masons hill I could see vessels going up and down the Potomac
at Alexandria. I could see the Yankee fortifications to the right of Alexandria.
I couldn't get to look through
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the spy
glass. Captain said he could see the Yankees working
on the breastworks. Captain counted eighteen pieces of
cannon on one of their
earth work entrenchments. I was the first one to discover after [illeg.]
were put on post a large balloon up in the direction of
Washington that had climbed a large white oak tree for
the purpose of getting a good view of the country there
was some shooting every day that we were
there; we could hear the Yankee drums beating every night the last two or
three days it was very rainy weather. We had plenty of
roasting ears while we were at Pagets tavern there was a large field
of Yankee corn close. We had to fall back about three miles before our time was
out as the Yankees were advancing but I believe it was
done to draw them on. Nothing more but remain your affectionately. Write soon
yours &c,
W.F.B.
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My health is very good & hope this
will find you enjoying the same blessing. It is my desire that this letter
should be kept secret as it might make enemies
someday. Write soon nothing more from your humble
friend W.F.B.
