Augusta County: Thomas M. Smiley to His Aunt, May 9, 1861
Summary:
Thomas M. Smiley discusses the excellent lodging for soldiers in Harpers Ferry, arrival of
additional troops, and construction of fort.
Aunt
May 9th
Harpers Ferry
Dear Aunt
It is with pleasure that I take my pencil in hand to answer your kind letter and thank you
for your present which I received on Sunday I am still at Harpers Ferry enjoying good health
and in good spirits. And when these few lines reach you I hope they may find you well along
with the rest of our friends We are quartered in a large brick house on boliver street said to
be the best quarters in town We do our own cooking and washing sleep on the floor with a
blanket for a bed And in short
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we enjoy all the privileges and
luxuries of Soldiers I do not know exactly how many soldiers are stationed here but I suppose
there is from five to ten thousand and we are expecting more there is now some 300 Kentuckians
here and about 1800 expected There is some Georgia and Alabama troops expected here in a few
days. A fort has been commenced on the Maryland heights and batteries are to be placed there
and on the Virginia mountain point the rifle companies are to be stationed on the mountain and
the light infantry are to stay in
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the Ferry I saw William Wright yesterday he has gone to the
mountain he told me when I wrote to say that he was well and in good spirits tell pa I want him
to send me some postage stamps as they cannot be got here for love or money I wrote home sunday
but forgot to mention the stamps but I must close as Mr Arehart is about
to start
give my love to all inquiring friends and receiv a large share for your Self
T. M. Smiley
Write soon and direct to Harpers Ferry Va Care Capt HJ Williams Southern guards
