Augusta County: William Smiley to Thomas M. Smiley, June 7, 1861
Summary:
William Smiley discusses a rumor of battle at Bath, mobilization of local troops, the oat
crop, etc.
Thomas M. Smiley
Friday morning June 7th 61
Thomas My Dear Son
I Send you a few lines to let you know that we are all well at present and hope that you may
be enjoying the Same blessing with us, we have had fine growing weather this week it has been
warm and a light Shower every day or night
things are now growing very fast wheat in general looks very well oats is very Short yet. I have Sent you Three Dollars and a
half by Captain J.F. Hite. all in quarters and if you Should need more or anything else at any time do not be afraid to let us know
and it will be procured and Sent to you if possible, I want you to
keep us as well posted on affairs with you as you can but I am well aware that you do not know
neither can know the true State of affairs in Such a Camp as you have at Harpers ferry when you
write anything you know as facts write as facts anything
else as reports or rumors my reasons are these your Letters as anxiously
Sought after and read by the whole
neighborhood as ourselves and I want you to Sustain your
credit, and if you have at any time any thing of a private nature write on a Separate piece of paper and Slip in, we have word here of an engagement
at Philipa between Some 800 of our men & from three to five
thousand of the North Captain Richards of the Bath Cavalry &
five or Six of our men were killed and Sixty or Seventy of Lincolns but we have heard nothing
definite but probably Mr A.S. Craig against he leaves tomorrow can give you a more correct account
of it and other rumors that are amongst us
[page 2]
there is a company from Brownsburg
David Curry Captain of about Sixty men left here wednesday and leaves Staunton this morning for
the Northwestern Company of Virginia and A
Company of Cavalry from Rockingham. I heard yesterday [unclear: Wise ware] expected at
Staunton with 700 or 800 men and a good many from Tennessee Probably a Regiment more or less to go Northwest Lecher came to Staunton tuesday night left for
Richmond Wednesday night again President Davis is at Richmond now
your friends and the neighbors are generally well So for I know when you write again let us know where R.O. Kerr is whose mess he is in we heard he had left your Company and joined Some other
I now Close by remaining your father etc.
Wm Smiley
To Thomas M. Smiley
