[John Mitchell at Mt. Jackson [Virginia] to Dear Cousin [probably Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston -- "Louise Johnston" penciled in], April 1, 1862, Box 2, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University. Paragraph breaks are suggested in the original letter, which is faded, by extra spacing].
I reached this camp Sunday morning after riding in the rain all day Saturday. I wrote to you while in Staunton. We had a very pleasant trip except the last day as we had to ride on top of the coach.
Have you had a nice time with the fifty-six [56th Virginia Infantry Regiment?] since I left[?] [T]here are a quantity of them sick in Abingdon now I heard this morning.
Our regiment suffered a great deal in the fight the other day [First Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862], the killed, wounded and missing amounted to 113. In our company 18 were lost, but James Henry [possibly Henry Wright] was the only one that was killed I believe. Poor fellow, they say he was in better spirits that morning than he had ever been before and even on the field singing (Dixie) the last words he was heard to say was that he was glad that he belonged to the Washington Independents and the 37th regiment. His body was never recovered.
Lt. Haggy [Pleasant Smith Hagy (1834-1920)] was killed [he was wounded, captured and later exchanged, resurfacing in the First Texas Cavalry and is now buried in Gainesville, Texas] about the same time and some of his men were carrying him off he told them to lay him down and make their escape & to tell his wife that he died at his post. [S]he said in the beginning that she would rather be a widow of a brave man than the wife of a coward. I suppose she is gratified now.
If I send you a present will you accept it[?] [I]t is not very pretty but I suppose it will do.
I have not broken the wish you put on my ring but think I will as I think about it every time I look at it. Has Charlie McCartney come back yet[?] [H]is father made him get off at the seven mile ford. Charlie told me that he was coming on in a few days.
Tell me who it was that you thought I got a letter from the other day.
When is Rees [probably Rees Tate Bowen, Jr. (1845-1917)] going back to his company[?]
Do you know who Major Williams [Titus Vespasian Williams (1835-1908)] claims as his sweetheart in Tazewell as I would like to know as he is always after me but who it is that he is courting.
We have plenty of drilling to do . . . duty to perform . . . must stop writing as it is getting dark. Give my love to all of the family and write soon to
Your cousin
John Mitchell
P.s. direct your letter to Mt. Jackson Va. care of Lt. John A. Preston 37th Regt Va Vols.
Our pickets & the enemies [enemy's] are fighting with cannon
[John D. Mitchell (1843-1922), buried in Cleburne, Texas. Son of John Davis Mitchell (1799-1859) and Eliza Frances Smith Mitchell (1821-1905)
Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John A. Preston (1840-1914). Son of Robert Robinson Preston (1793-1836) and Elizabeth McDonald Preston (1808-1885)]
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.
I reached this camp Sunday morning after riding in the rain all day Saturday. I wrote to you while in Staunton. We had a very pleasant trip except the last day as we had to ride on top of the coach.
Have you had a nice time with the fifty-six [56th Virginia Infantry Regiment?] since I left[?] [T]here are a quantity of them sick in Abingdon now I heard this morning.
Our regiment suffered a great deal in the fight the other day [First Battle of Kernstown, March 23, 1862], the killed, wounded and missing amounted to 113. In our company 18 were lost, but James Henry [possibly Henry Wright] was the only one that was killed I believe. Poor fellow, they say he was in better spirits that morning than he had ever been before and even on the field singing (Dixie) the last words he was heard to say was that he was glad that he belonged to the Washington Independents and the 37th regiment. His body was never recovered.
Lt. Haggy [Pleasant Smith Hagy (1834-1920)] was killed [he was wounded, captured and later exchanged, resurfacing in the First Texas Cavalry and is now buried in Gainesville, Texas] about the same time and some of his men were carrying him off he told them to lay him down and make their escape & to tell his wife that he died at his post. [S]he said in the beginning that she would rather be a widow of a brave man than the wife of a coward. I suppose she is gratified now.
If I send you a present will you accept it[?] [I]t is not very pretty but I suppose it will do.
I have not broken the wish you put on my ring but think I will as I think about it every time I look at it. Has Charlie McCartney come back yet[?] [H]is father made him get off at the seven mile ford. Charlie told me that he was coming on in a few days.
Tell me who it was that you thought I got a letter from the other day.
When is Rees [probably Rees Tate Bowen, Jr. (1845-1917)] going back to his company[?]
Do you know who Major Williams [Titus Vespasian Williams (1835-1908)] claims as his sweetheart in Tazewell as I would like to know as he is always after me but who it is that he is courting.
We have plenty of drilling to do . . . duty to perform . . . must stop writing as it is getting dark. Give my love to all of the family and write soon to
Your cousin
John Mitchell
P.s. direct your letter to Mt. Jackson Va. care of Lt. John A. Preston 37th Regt Va Vols.
Our pickets & the enemies [enemy's] are fighting with cannon
[John D. Mitchell (1843-1922), buried in Cleburne, Texas. Son of John Davis Mitchell (1799-1859) and Eliza Frances Smith Mitchell (1821-1905)
Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John A. Preston (1840-1914). Son of Robert Robinson Preston (1793-1836) and Elizabeth McDonald Preston (1808-1885)]
For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.
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