Year: 1862

Richmond, Va, March 31st, 1925


wrote you some months ago, my dear
C-and then thought, as l said for
the last time But somehow, notwith-
standing your well known scorn for one
holding position, voluntarily assumed,
in what you cali the rebel ranks, despite
your persistent silence when a kind
word from you would be treasured be-
yond price--in the face of all these, I
again write to you. Had health and
prosperity continued with me, perhaps
might have had strength TO keep my res
olutiOn to maintain silence toward one
who fear will never forgive me for en-
tering the Confederate service but the
heading of my letter will tell you that /
am in that saddest of all places, mill
tary hospital.


The regiment to which belong was,
with others, at Centerville during the
latter portion of the winter, where we
were most comfortably quartered and
we'll provided. We formed part of Ma
gruder's division in which are many Ma
rylanders. Several came from the vicini-
ty of my dear old home, that spot
which l so tenderly loved, and Of whose
beauty | was so proud. Soldier as / am
c., weep at the recollection of the
happy, innocent hours passed in that
dear home and little did l think when
first described its charms to you that
the time was rapidly approaching when
should be exied from il and from you
But was telling you found many of
my former neighbOrs here, and thrown
in such close contact with many mutual
sympathies and memories, we have been
like brothers to each other Constant
or she cannot measure.


We might possibly overcome the inn
mense army already brought against us,
for though inferior in point of numbers,
men fight desperately in situations like
ours; but were these repelled, who knows
what countless hosts would spring to
arms from the teeming population of the
North? l fear our cause is hopeless, and
this feeling dispirits our army, and pal
| sizes them on the battlefield. Some are
willing to surrender and make the best
terms they can, while others swear to
| fight until death Our official councils
are divided. Some would stand bravely
and conquer or die, others insist on eau
tion; 2nd this extreme prudence keeps us
retreating until we are ashamed But
trust me our army will yet make des-
perate stand and prove, despite our late
reyerses that we are not towards.


As for me, c., may not leave
this place alive; for though am so much
better than / have been, the doctor tells
me that danger is not yet past, and that
if persist in exertihg myself as l am
now doing, in writing this long letter,
fever may supervene and result fatally.
Let it come. have no wish to live TO
see the South subdued, and through fu-
ture years to be scorned as a traitor. If
| / recover, the moment l can WELD my
sword | will return to my post, and at
least die a man. do not say this in
boasting or defiance, for really regret
that ever participated in rebellion; but
/ ! have done il and cannot retract with
honor Therefore, if our cause falls,
hope to fall with it.


The time is short The Federal army
is moving fast upon us The final strug-
! gle cannot be far distant II may be the
last time / can ask it: will you not send
a few lines not TO the Confederate sol
nier, or rebel if you viii call me so; nor
even TO the former friend; but 10 a sick
aud suffering man who longs to know
you have still some sympathy for him.