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 lite Shower evry day or night
things are now groing very fast wheat in generall 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 any thing else at any time do not be afrad to let us know
and it will be procured and Sent to you if posable, 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 any thing you know as facts write as facts any thing
els as reports or rumors my reasons are these your Letters as anxiously
Saught after and read by the hole
neighbourhood 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 Seperate piece of paper and Slip in, we have word here of an engagement
at Philipa between Some 800 of our men & from thee to five
thousand of the North Capt Richards of the Bath Cavalry &
five or Six of our men were killed and Sixty or Seventy of Lincolns but we have heard nothing
deffinate but probaly Mr A.S. Craig against he leaves tomorrow can give you a more correct account
of it and other rumors that are amongst us
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there is a company from Browns Burg
David Curry Captain of about Sixty men left here wednesday and leaves Staunton this morning for
the Northwestern Co of Va 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 Regement 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 neighbours 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 Compny and joined Some other
I now Close by remaining your father &c
Wm Smiley
To Thomas M. Smiley
