Franklin County: Bob Taggart to his sister Mary,
November 16, 1862
Summary:
Taggart provides a general discussion of religion in camp. He also explains why
he will not be requesting a leave of absence to come home.
Mary
November 16th 1862
Camp near Rappahannock Va
Dear Mary
Yours of the 10th
inst came to hand this morning, and I don't think
it will be any more harm to write you a few lines in answer than it would be to
be sitting around idle. There is very little going on in camp these days to
distinguish Sunday from any other day. The same routine of business is gone
through excepting, and in about six or eight weeks, the privilege of hearing a
sermon. Today I attended service in the 12th
Regt and heard a very good discourse by Rev.
Miller, the Chaplain. Shortly after our chaplain resigned, a Rev. McFarland
volunteered to go with us and acted without an appointment of commission until
after the battle of "Bull Run," when he was taken
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very ill and had to
be sent to the Hospital. He is now getting better and will be back soon, as I
hope with a commission. He appeared to be a very good man and made himself
useful, both in the field of battle, and in camp. Consequently both Officers and
got to like him and petitioned the Governor to commission him.
I do not think there is any prospect of the army "being settled any place this
winter," consequently I would not advise you to come on. I would like very well
to get home a short time and if placed any way that I can get off I will make
the attempt; but so long as the army is in the field
the idea of getting a "leave of absence" is out of the question unless in case
of sickness, where the Surgeon certifies it is necessary, "to save life, or
prevent permanent disability." Then there
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is another reason why I do
not indulge in the hope very much. Every person that goes home from the army now
is almost sure to get married, and you know one might as well be out of the
world as out of the fashion and for me to conform to this fashion would require
some time to look around and enter into the necessary
negotiations.
Holland says to tell Annie that he couldn't help it, and that it is all the fault of the girls.
I received a letter from Cunningham today. I wrote to him, day before yesterday.
My love to all at home. Respects to friends.
Your Affect Brother
Bob
