Augusta County: Tony Pastor to Annie Harris,
December 28, 1862
Summary:
In this letter written soon before the army set into winter quarters, Pastor
describes light losses in a recent battle as compared to huge (over 15,000)
casualties on the Union side. He discusses his ideas about northern morale
and the Lincoln government. He also is happy that the Rockbridge Cavalry
has been dismounted since he believes they have contributed little to the
war. He later mentions that there are no alcoholic drinks around.
Sunday evening Dec. 28th 1862
Camp Near Fredricksburg
My Dearest Annie
Your very welcome & interesting letter, (for which I have been
anxiously looking for a long time) has just come to hand, the perusal of
which gave me great pleasure I assure you. I had very near come to the same
conclusion that you were about to come to; but I am happy to say, before I
had entirely dispaired the expected document
was handed me. I was just in the act of setting down to my scanty meal, but
did not untill after I had read the afforesaid document, sent in the care of
"Friend Tom" But friend Tom was not forthcoming. What has become of him? I
suppose he got [unclear: storm]
[unclear: staid] somewhere between Newport & middlebrook,
or some other unforeseen accident has befell him; be that as it may, he has
not turned [added: up] here yet. Well I hardly
know what to write that would prove at all interesting to you. I guess you
have heard all the particulars relative to our late fight before this; you
spoke of having heard from all the companies in our Regt. excepting the Southern Guards, & hoped that they
had not met with so many casualties as they had done in times past. I am
happy to say we suffered but little, only one of our "gallant band" was
wounded, (although we were
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under a heavy Artillery fire all the
time) Namely Cyrus Lotts who had his little finger shot off by the
accidental discharge of his musket in the night whilst getting a drink of
water.
In regard to the loss of the enemy I am unable to speak at present _ as I did not get a chance to visit the battle field; but judging fom northern Journals, they suffered a heavy loss. They admit a loss of 15000, & say that it was the greatest defeat of the war. Great dissatisfaction is prevailing at this time in the Lincoln government & it is to be hoped they will burst up in a row. The weather has been very cold since we came to this camp, but it is quite mild now. This day one week ago (being the day your letter was wrote) was one of the coldest days we have had this winter. I tell you we have had hard times since we [unclear: came] on this side of the "Blue Ridge", cant get anything in the country at all, and nothing in camp except some little [unclear: motly/notty] apples & ginger bread for which we have to pay about twenty [unclear: pieces].
I wish so much I could have been with you all a Christmas to have partook of
the good things prepared for that occasion, but this privilege
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has again been denied me. however I had a splended dinner on that day, a
description of which you can get by going to Annie B. I am happy to hear
the Rockbridge Cavalry have been dismounted; for they have never rendered
any service yet to the Confederacy worth speaking of. I trust they may yet
have a chance to redeem their character, by performing some "heroic deeds".
Everything is quiet along the Rappahannock once more. The enemy have recrossed the river, and are now occupying the same position they did previous to the fight. Hope they may continue in their present position, or return across the Potomac. Some of our Divisions are engaged in putting up Winter Quarters. I expect we will change our camp in a few days, when we will go into "winter Quarters" providing the Yankees remain quiet. I am thankful for your kind advice, but sorry to say that I have not seen a drop stronger than water, what you think of that? Well I suppose it is best so. for I might have gotten tipsy had I have gotten my will at it. Well I must close for the present, as I have gotten some oficial letters to write, that must be attended to. Excuse haste etc. &believe me to be as ever yours.
Tony _____
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My new years Gift. " I would gladly send you a Christmas" but I have nothing you would except, so I will have to make the one offset the other, for the present, hoping that at some future day I may be able to pay up old scores.
I will put a Kiss on the corner of this sheet some whisk, which you can extract at your leisure. Your Cousin Buck is quite well & sends his best love to you all, by the way I heard a good joke on Your Cousin John Mc, but I cant tell it now. suppose you know it though. I shall expect to hear from [added: you] soon again.
NB. when you have read this commit it to the flames.
Tony
