Augusta County: James R. McCutchan to Rachel Ann McCutchan,
January 28, 1862
Summary:
James R. McCutchan writes to his cousin about the town of Romney, near Winchester, Virginia,
where they will camp for the winter.
On, on to the rescue, the Vandals are coming-
Go meet them with bayonet, sabre and
spear;
Drive them back to the desolate land they are leaving-
Go, trusting in God,
you'll have nothing to fear.
Confederate States of America
Jan. 28th, 1862
My Dear Rate
On, on to the rescue, the Vandals are coming-
Go meet them with bayonet, sabre and
spear;
Drive them back to the desolate land they are leaving-
Go, trusting in God,
you'll have nothing to fear.
Confederate States of America
I will surprise you with a few words + jokes.
I am again in camp enjoying the pleasures & braving the hardship & dangers
incident to such a life. As to any enjoyments they are many & various consequently I
will not endeavor to enumerate them. I have had some pretty hard times since I came down. I
have marched over 100 miles since leaving Winchester
[page 2]
Thursday morning Jan [deleted: 29] 30. We had to march yesterday morning and I didn't get time to finish your
letter. We marched 8 mls. yesterday & are now 5 mls. from Winchester on the [unclear: Pughtown] road. We are in
winter quarters, are yet in our tents, but will continue building our cabins tomorrow. I think
it probable that we may have some rest now for awhile
We left Romney on the 23rd. It rained all the time we were there & was very muddy
& disagreeable. Romney is a very nice town I suppose in time of peace, but it is
overrun with soldiers + abused now.
[page 3]
There are a few pretty girls there; some of were
very kind to me & others were more "union than secesh" I
think.
There are several pretty churches there & a good many nice private residences & also a very commodious Court House, though the Yankees have torn the floors & every thing from the inside of the Court House.
The Federals left a great many things when they "vamoused" from there. I could have gotten a
number of trophies but had no way of taking care of them. Its the most mountainous regions
between here and Romney I ever
[page 4]
saw. There are 8 mountains between here &
there & The Pastures about Burnissis Springs is a paradise to the be best part of
Hampshire County. The people of some places can look up the chimney & see the sheep
& goats on the hill side above. There are some children out there that never saw the
sun.
The Yankees have burned all the houses for 20 miles in this side of Romney. But I guess they won't burn any more soon
Write to me soon. Direct to Winchester. In care of Cpt. H. J. Williams, Comp'y D. 5th reg'mt Va vol.
-Yours truly-
James R. McCutchan
Tell Lizzie I will write to her soon. Give my love to all. Write soon....
