Augusta County: Samuel Franklin Carson to Annie
Harris, Aug 4 1863
Summary:
The letter notes that Carson has written quite frequently to Annie, in contrast
to her recent protests. The letter also describes a recent clash with Union
cavalry at Culpepper and goes on to describe camp life near Montpelier, the old
home of James Madison.
Aug 4 1863
Camp Near Orange Court
Dearest Annie
Your thrice welcome letter is to hand, &; believe me, it was read with an
unusual degree of interest, it being the first I have received since my
departure. You have no idea how anxiously &; how attentively I listened
to each mail as it was called over from day to day, to see if any letter had
come for me, but untill today was doomed to
disappointment.
You said in your letter you "had well nigh come to the
conclusion that I had forogtten any promise. Now I don't think you ought to
entertain such a thought for one moment. I have always endeavored to fulfill all my promises as far as possible, particularly in
your
case. I wrote you immediately after my "skedadling"
from Yankeedom. I wrote you aldo from Banksville after our army fell back to
Martinsburg & also on the march from the valley to this place, making in
all three letters
[page 2]
since I left, & yet you think I have
forgotten my promise? But enough of that for the present.
I have no news of importance to write you at present - everything is quiet at
this time. Longstreet & Hill are camped near Culpepper. it was reported
in camp yesterday that they were falling back in the direction of this place.
there was a big cavalry fight at Culpepper last saturday between three brigades
of the yankees & one of ours. The yankees also had some infantry. Our
men fell back slowly about four miles untill some of
our infantry went up to their assistance our men then drove [added: them] back. Our loss was about one hundred, that of the
enemy much greater. Our camp for the present is about 2 miles from Orange [deleted: ] & within one mile of Montpelier the birth place [deleted: ] of James Madison. I have not paid the place a visit as yet,
oweing to the fact that I have been quite unwell
[page 3]
since our arrival at this camp, however I am happy to say that I
feel much better this evening. Frank [unclear: McCutchan] has been in
guard there for several days, keeping the soldiers from destroying things around
the house. There is an old fellow by the name of [unclear: Carson]
living there I think probably I can "ring in on that ticket." Our "fancy
officers" had quite a nice time the other night there; had a big Ball, plenty of
women & other luxuries to numerous to mention. Was very sorry my rank
would not [unclear: provence] for me a bid, but guess it was best for me
as it was.
You requested me to give you all the information I could in regard to John Meck
All I can learn is that he was left at our hospital in Gettysburg under the care
of Dr Sayers of our Brigade. Gade Plunket was left as a nurse - his company say
he was doing well when they left him - I deepy sympathize with the family.
[page 4]
Well I presume you are getting tired of this uninteresting letter, so
I will close for the present, trusting that you will look over all mistakes, and
especially bad writing, as I am very much out of fit.
Yours as ever
Franklin
P.S. Give my love to Chris. Tell her I would like to see
her so much, have something very funny to tell her "about something" I heard
from your quarter. Please remember me affectionately to friend [deleted: ] & Lady. Also to all the rest of the fair ones. Tell
Demaris I trust the Capt will soon be released
so that she may again have the pleasure of beholding his sweet face.
NB. I trust you will do with this sheet as you requested me to do with
yours. Tony
