Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-22
Prom weslern vlrglnla.
We are permitted 70 publish the following from :
soldier to his mother in this city:

soldier 70 his mother IN TINS city
In CAMP. NEAR HuSTERsvILLE,
Pocahontss County, Va, Nov. ., 1861.
Ny DEAR MOTHER This morning received the
bundle containing the articles yOu sent me. lean
not express the immensely of my qualification on
opening it. So many things. so badly needed, cons
ing at once, cured me almost instsnter Of an attack
of neuralgia similar to the one bad last January.
The lined blanket was especially welcome. All the
boys are receiving winter clothing, and the camp
literally smells OF new boots &c. Our spirits are
not little elevated by their reception, as the
winter winds have already set in, and the
nights here now are IS Geld as in Nash
villo in mid.winter. Il would, no doubt,
go very hard with rev recruit COM
ing among Us to live ID tho open sir and ragged
tents as we do, but cur unbroken habit Of living
thus so long has tempered this change from warm
TO cold weather, 50 that little more for No
vemter nights than We once did for those of August
Many of US are deficient in Blankets, but have no
doubt all will be supplied in due time. From. what
we learn we believe the people at home appreciate
our services as they should be, and 1 assure you
we feel very thankful that God has provided the
country with many patriotic men and women as
are now laboring for the welfare of the troops in
the field. We feel certain that home folks are do
ing their duty and we have the inward satisfaction
of knowing we have done ours. True we have been
in great battle; but the fault, if fault it be, lies
not at our door. On every occasion we have been
first to seek and fnd the post of danger when it
was in our power to do so; and never, on q single
occasion, have we been ordered 70 do thing we
did not do. Besides, am an old enough soldier to
know that actual fighting is not the 1.-THE of an
army's hardship in country like this. And while
others have done mole fighting we have far out
done them in other things that try the strength and
temper of men to the last degree.
We are lying here waiting orders to move to-
wards the Railroad. What will be our ultimate
destination is at present unknown to US. few
days, however, viii reveal it. There is no further
need for us in Northwestern Virginia this winter.
When RosECaASs reiterated before US st SeweIl
Mountain, the enemy virtually abandoned the coun-
try. The Northern mack aad other portions of the
Northwest are still in his possession. But we can
net sord to keep army in those sections for the
benefit to be derived by so doing. 1t would cost
millions to feed very small force, as everything
would have to be conveyed by wagons. We have
possession of the Charleston DAD as understand all
the way to that place certainly to the Salt Works.
The enemy have the country back Of Cheat Meun>
tain which they can hold against any odds during
the Winter and which perhaps will remain in
their hands during the war; as they can do us
little or no damage further than they have
already effected From what can gather there
will be force left near Monterey on the Cheat
Mountain road, another at Grsenbrier Bridge, back
of us, on this road, while Gen. FLOYD will take
charge is at present the case of the Charleston
road, to preveat the enemy making any progress
If he should be inclined, during the winter and
the rest of the troops belonging to LEES division,
our regiment among the number, will be ordered to
places where winter campaign will be carried on
Everything indicates that we will go to Kentucky,
and shall not be surprised to find myself whirled
through Nashville, on the route to Bowling Green,
one of these dark nights when you are all enjoying
your sleep in bed.
1t would have amused you to have been in my
tent when the bundle came. Nearly all of my mess
had bundle each, and such a dividing out and
trading as we had was rare to witness 1t reminded
of little children reeeiv ing presents of toys and
candies. We are all comparatively well of now,
with clothes, boots, tobacco and pipes and are as
happy Ms mice in cupboard.
1 need my overeoat and hat, but do not send them
unless by safe chance. Capt. FOSTER is, or ought
to be, in Nashville about now. If you send
them by him they will come safely to hand.
Write to Charles to give me his address so
that l can write to him. l need nothing now
that know of except the coat and hat Rest
assured that l Will do well enough. 1 have
the character of good soldier, and it shall not
damage.
Believe me, dear mother, yours most truly,
W.B.H.