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L.S. Siler to "Dear Brother", October 20, 1861

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Item
  • In this letter of October 20, 1861, L.S. Siler writes to his brother giving many details of his recent activities. He includes details of troop movements, illnesses and hardships, and describes a review of his unit by Jefferson Davis.
  • L.S. Siler to “Dear Brother, October 20, 1861 Richmond Va Oct 20th 1861 Dear Brother I recd your kind and very welcome letter a day or two before I left camp Bearegard but had not time to write from there. We left there last last [sic] Sun day; that night we camped at Macon Depot, next night about a mile the other side of Gaston __________ at Hick’s ford ____________ at Story creek station Thursday at Petersburg and Friday awe got here. At Story creek there were several men in the different companies sick and had to be put on the cans and I was detailed to take charge of theirs after traveling a few miles I concluded to look around ______ the _________ and who should I find but Bob Welch of Waynesville. I was almost as glad to see him him [sic] as if he had been my Brother for he was just from Waynes- ville and knew all about my folk, We traveled together to Petersburg and he told me all the news from haywood. I procured a place for my sick at the N.C. hospital and went to the same hotel with Welch and staid there till the Regiment came on. We expect to leave here day after To- morrow for Manassas. The colonel other knowing [?] ones seems to think that we will get work to do before very long. It is reported here that there has been some heavy skirm ishing in that neighborhood with in the last few days. We have good evidence that there has been work somewhere; for there were about seventy Yankees brought in here last night but I was not certain where they were captured My candle is about out. Good night Monday evening. We have just recd orders to be ready to march at at a moments warning. In reply to your question how I like cavalry service, I like the riding part beter than walking but we have all the _______ ______ to perform that belong to Infant ry and in addition we have to w- -ter [water] feed and rub our horses. Be- sides that it takes more ____ for the stable guard than the main guard. I detail our [?] main guard men a day and one Sgt in about five days and a corp about half the time. Our stable guard six men every night and a corporal or Sergt. the worst I have however against cavalry is that we are ___ as regulars [?] and controlled ____ by higher authorities than the vol _unteer Infantry. If an of- -ficer dies, resigns or is promo- ted the men have nothing to say in selecting his successor. I am well enough pleased with all of our officers except the ad- -juntant (Jim Henry) He is a dog. We may have to start from her in an hour and we may be here several days. ‘tis’ uncertain. We were reviewed today by Jeff Davis. This is the first time I ever got to see a President. I suppose it is not worth while to describe hime to you for you have seen him. There is a good deal of sickness in camp mostly measels. I have been blessed with very good health geneerally since I entered service. I promised my Dear wife when I left her that I would try to lead a differ ent life and that if we are permitted to meet no more in this world I would try to meet her where part ing is no more. I am trying to keep my promise, but I tell you a camp life presents a great many tempta tions. I hope I have the prayers of my friends and especially my Father Brothers & Sister. I should like to hear from you often. I don’t know where we will be stationed long enough to get letters but if they are directed here prob- bly I may get some of them as the Col will make arrangements to have them forwarded as far as pracable. Tuesday Morning. I have to [write ?] by spells as I can. I have a great to do I think if I ever get home I will appreciate peace and the priv- lieges of citizens more than I ever did before. I must close this letter Remember me kindly to Pa Sister Slagle Rufus &c. Tis a good long ways from here to the Beech Spring [?]. Good bye Your affectionate Bother L.S. Siler
Object
  • In this letter of October 20, 1861, L.S. Siler writes to his brother giving many details of his recent activities. He includes details of troop movements, illnesses and hardships, and describes a review of his unit by Jefferson Davis.
  • L.S. Siler to “Dear Brother, October 20, 1861 Richmond Va Oct 20th 1861 Dear Brother I recd your kind and very welcome letter a day or two before I left camp Bearegard but had not time to write from there. We left there last last [sic] Sun day; that night we camped at Macon Depot, next night about a mile the other side of Gaston __________ at Hick’s ford ____________ at Story creek station Thursday at Petersburg and Friday awe got here. At Story creek there were several men in the different companies sick and had to be put on the cans and I was detailed to take charge of theirs after traveling a few miles I concluded to look around ______ the _________ and who should I find but Bob Welch of Waynesville. I was almost as glad to see him him [sic] as if he had been my Brother for he was just from Waynes- ville and knew all about my folk, We traveled together to Petersburg and he told me all the news from haywood. I procured a place for my sick at the N.C. hospital and went to the same hotel with Welch and staid there till the Regiment came on. We expect to leave here day after To- morrow for Manassas. The colonel other knowing [?] ones seems to think that we will get work to do before very long. It is reported here that there has been some heavy skirm ishing in that neighborhood with in the last few days. We have good evidence that there has been work somewhere; for there were about seventy Yankees brought in here last night but I was not certain where they were captured My candle is about out. Good night Monday evening. We have just recd orders to be ready to march at at a moments warning. In reply to your question how I like cavalry service, I like the riding part beter than walking but we have all the _______ ______ to perform that belong to Infant ry and in addition we have to w- -ter [water] feed and rub our horses. Be- sides that it takes more ____ for the stable guard than the main guard. I detail our [?] main guard men a day and one Sgt in about five days and a corp about half the time. Our stable guard six men every night and a corporal or Sergt. the worst I have however against cavalry is that we are ___ as regulars [?] and controlled ____ by higher authorities than the vol _unteer Infantry. If an of- -ficer dies, resigns or is promo- ted the men have nothing to say in selecting his successor. I am well enough pleased with all of our officers except the ad- -juntant (Jim Henry) He is a dog. We may have to start from her in an hour and we may be here several days. ‘tis’ uncertain. We were reviewed today by Jeff Davis. This is the first time I ever got to see a President. I suppose it is not worth while to describe hime to you for you have seen him. There is a good deal of sickness in camp mostly measels. I have been blessed with very good health geneerally since I entered service. I promised my Dear wife when I left her that I would try to lead a differ ent life and that if we are permitted to meet no more in this world I would try to meet her where part ing is no more. I am trying to keep my promise, but I tell you a camp life presents a great many tempta tions. I hope I have the prayers of my friends and especially my Father Brothers & Sister. I should like to hear from you often. I don’t know where we will be stationed long enough to get letters but if they are directed here prob- bly I may get some of them as the Col will make arrangements to have them forwarded as far as pracable. Tuesday Morning. I have to [write ?] by spells as I can. I have a great to do I think if I ever get home I will appreciate peace and the priv- lieges of citizens more than I ever did before. I must close this letter Remember me kindly to Pa Sister Slagle Rufus &c. Tis a good long ways from here to the Beech Spring [?]. Good bye Your affectionate Bother L.S. Siler