Stribling Springs, Va.
May the 18th 1862

My Dear Father
I wrote you some time ago but suppose that you did not receive my letter as I have not yet received an answer. I received a letter from Harriet a short time ago in which I was sorry to learn that your eyesight was no better. We have again met the enemy upon his own ground and completely rooted him through. I suppose that you have now heard of that before this as Genl. Johnson was wounded. We lost a great many officers. This goes to prove that wherever meet him with anything like equal numbers that we prove to be the victims. I understand that there are several appointments to be made in the Regular Service for Captains I should like to have one. For reasons which I will explain to you when I see you and as you have the Governor's promise to aid you very likely I can succeed. The boys generally are well. In haste.
Yours affectionately,
Jos. Carpenter

Lynchburg May 23d 1862
His Excellency
Jefferson Davis Prest.
C. S. A.

Sir,
I understand that Capt. Joseph Carpenter, late of the 27th Regt. Virginia Volunteers, but now in command of a battery of Light Artillery in the division commanded by Gen. T. J. Jackson, desires to enter the regular army of the Confederate States and to devote himself permanently to the profession of arms.

It affords me pleasure to bear testimony to the soldierly qualities of Capt. Carpenter, He has received a through Military Education, having graduated at the Virginia Military Institute. He entered the service of the Confederacy at the commencement of the present war, and has ever since been in the faithful and efficient discharge of his duties. For much of the time that I was in command of the 27th Va. Vols. Capt. Carpenter commanded one of the companies of that Regiment and I therefore had the best opportunity of judging of his qualifications. He is prompt, active and faithful in the discharge of every duty, a good disciplinarian and has always displayed great gallantry on the field. As a consequence of his ability to control men and his skill as a Tactician his company was one of the very best and most efficient which I have known in the service. I sincerely trust that he may receive the appointment which he seeks, feeling assured that he will make a most valuable officer to the country.
I have the honor to be
Most respectfully [Sir]
Jno Echols
Brig Genl C.S.A.

Camp Near Port Republic
June 16, 1862

Dear Father,
I wrote some time since but have not as yet received the first scratch of a pen from you. I suppose that you are now at home. Tis useless for me to tell you of the fights that we have had as no doubt you already know. But it appears to me now that fighting is becoming quite fashionable especially in Jackson's army. We have had three days rest in the last two months- the balance of the time either on a forced march or fighting one or the other. A few more such marches and fights will ruin his Old Brigade unless he allows them to recruit a little more, but the enemy appear to be determined to press us hard in our unorganized condition. But thank God we have been able to to overcome them on every occasion as yet. I was amusing in the last two fights. We had to see how Old Jack [word unknown] Fremont & Shields. He pitched into Fremont on Sunday and Shields had to stand in supporting distance and look at us hip him. We then crossed the River, burnt the Bridge and pitched into Shields on Monday and Fremont had to stand in full view and see us completely use Shields up without being able to come to his support. Both Battles were sharp especially on Monday as we were in an open field fighting five hours. I was in it first and continued until the Yanks began to run. When my ammunition gave out and I had to stop. Ben was wounded. Tom Jordan and four or five others slightly. I wrote you about trying to get me a situation in the Regular Service. Genl. Echols has given me a letter which I will send you. I could get others if necessary. The Situation I desire is a commission as Capt. of Artillery in the Regular Service, the reason that I seek it now is there is some talk of taking my company to fill up the 27th Regt. If they do that I shall not accept the commission as Capt. of the company. I was elected almost unanimously Lt. Col. of the 27th. But declined accepting the appointment because I preferred my Battery notwithstanding the severe Labor to that position in Infantry. But since the authorities seem anxious to get me into infantry after all the trouble that I have had I am just anxious not to gratify them if I can help it and I suppose they will grant me the same privilege as other officers of my own rank. I am tolerably well at present.
Write soon. Yours etc. Jos. Carpenter

Don't be uneasy about Ben he will be well taken care of. J.

Winchester
17th July 1864

Dear Col.
I have just arrived here for the purpose of telegraphing to you to let you know that Ben was very seriously wounded through the right lung on yesterday, but I hope not dangerously, but find there is no communication by telegraph. I will give you the Circumstances as near as I can. He and myself left the road some half mile for the purpose of getting dinner. After getting dinner was coming back to the road, not thinking that there was a Yankee in ten miles of us & the first thing we knew we rode into a Yankee picket post. Ben drew his pistol (I had no arms) to fire on the one nearest to him. The Yankee raised his Carbine, they both fired about the same instant & both fell from their horses wounded. The Yankees jumped up & ran. Ben fired four other shots at him but missed him, the other Yankees having run. I got Ben up on his horse to carry him off but after carrying him a short distance he got too weak to ride. I then had to take him down & leave him as the Yankees were coming up the road again. As soon as I got to the road I got an ambulance & a Company of Sharp Shooters & went back after him & brought him on to our Camp last night near Berryville. He rested very well last night & is in a good deal better this morning than I expected he would be. The Doctors examined his wound this morning & say it is a severe wound but don't consider it a dangerous one. He will be taken to Mr. Cook's today (near Millwood) where he will get every attention & I am in hopes will soon be well enough to be moved to a safe place. I can't tell what our movements will be. The Army has gone into Camp about Berryville, 10 miles South E. of Winchester. After I left Ben, the Yankees came up to him. They gave him some water & took his watch and pistol. They also asked him a good many questions which I am sure were not very satisfactorily answered.
My best respects to all,
Ben Karnes