Letter to sister, 1862

Language:

English

Scope and content:

Written from "Camp near Manassas," Virginia. Letter regards daily life in camp.

Other descriptive data:

Camp near Manassas

Dear Sister

Genl. Elzey came up from Centreville today. He is still complaining with rheumatism. He does my Regiment the compliment to have his body guard detailed from it. He says the Baltimorians & Tennesseeans stole from him. (Geddie Effinger my roommate has just come and give me a scolding about not having a good fire). But I must tell you that I am in my "shanty". We moved in last night. You will see from the enclosed picture that it bears a striking resemblance to the habitations along the line of the rail‐road in Northern Georgia only it is a better building. My kitchen is not quite completed. I eat in my tent this morning with snow on it, this is as near a Valley Forge scene as I have yet experienced. The ground is covered with snow, but it is very slight and the first winter weather we have had yet. My men are nearly all in their huts. And now I must tell you something else in connection with our Winter Quarters. I was at Genl. E. K. Smith's House today (I will tell you why I went there directly) for some time. He told me that Genl. Johnston wanted us to remain at Centreville and it was some time before he could prevail upon him to let us come here, so you see we are among the "favored few". I was at Centreville yesterday. Many Regiments are still in their tents & will probably be all winter.

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865

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