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Envelope addressed to:
W. A. Musgrove Esq
Palo, Fayette Co. Ala
Jan 8th 1862
Camp near Bull or Louis House
Camp Bull Run near Louis House
Mr. Musgrove
Dear Brother
I avail myself of the present opportunity of writing you a short
epistle to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and
getting along as well as could be expected in this polar regeon[region].
There has been snow on the ground for a week with no prospect of it melting
soon and to night it has every appearance of falling weather which is to be
regretted as we are putting up houses for our winter quarters and we have
but four out of eleven raised and progressing very slow indeed considering
the number of men that ought to be engaged.
I believe I have written you since the fight at Dransville giving
you the particulars etc. Cousin Hiram Cowen was in it but did not fire a
gun. there was a good many out of his Regt. (10th Ala) that were wounded.
it suffered more than any other Rgt engaged which were the 6th south
Carolina, 11th Virginia, 1st Kentucky.
There is no news of interest transpiring here but as usual a great
many reports of fights skirmishes etc. but the general talk is about the
difficulty England and the United States Mason & Stidell[?] are surrendered
and I suppose on their way to London but that does not seem to meet the
demands of England and I here from the papers tho she is taking on about
the stand[?] fleet that has been sunk in Charleston harbor.
Not many days since Gen Johnson issued orders prohibiting any
person writing to news papers giving discription of places strength etc.
because the enemy had cut off a mail and got valuable information from it.
although there is no danger of them getting anything from this quarter it
is included and I expect to try to obey any and all orders that is to
promote the wellfare of our beloved country. We are very confident of
success if any attempt is made to fight us here which I think is doubtful
although I am forced to occasionly by movements reports etc.
Col Moore has gone home on a furlough for sixty days. he was sick
when he left. I hope he will be well and able to join us soon. the command
of the Regt now revolves w/ in Maj Gracy who is a high toned officer and a
gentleman. I could not speak in too high term of all our field officers
although sometime I think them a little too tight on us. of course we can't
be pleased in every respect. if we had others it would be the same way if
not worse.
Well we had the elections to fill the vacancy in our Company on the
2nd inst and the result was as follows Capt S. E Bell, 1st Lieut Lem
Harris, 2nd Lieut A. A. Walden, 2nd junior? R. H. Shelton, Ordily Sergt Wm.
T. Davis, fourth Coporal A. W. Duman. I beat R. J. Stewart. S. E. Bell did
not have any opponent. Shelton beat G. L. Traweek.
The health of the company is very good at present and my leg has
been well for some time until three or four day ago. I was going out
through a pine thicket and knocked of[off] the bark about an inch square
and from the looks of it tonight I have certainly caught cold in it so I am
affraid that I will be troubled very much with it yet but still hope.
I can't see why I can not get letters from you. all I know you are
three letters in irrears with me counting this and when I do get them they
are a month on the way while from these part of the country letters come in
six and seven days. letters has been received here in five days after they
were written while it takes every one I get five times that. Who carry the
mail there to Palo from Fayette and who is acting as post master at
Fayette?
I sent Brother Edward a coppy of the proceeding of the General
Court Mashal[Marshall] in George Traweeks case. if you want to see it ask
him for it. I want it perserved until I get back if ever.
Give my love to all the children and write soon. I will give you a
catalogue of prices of what we buy here in camp.
Eggs 50 cts, butter 50 cts per lb, Chickens 75 cts., Turkeys $2.00,
Park 15 cts. this is what we spend money for here. this paper 75 cts. per
quire. envelopes 50 cts per pack.
Write soon and as soon as we get into our houses I will write again.
Your friend and relative
Lem Harris
[NOTE: Dranesville, or Dranesville Tavern, is in Fairfax County, Virginia,
and was the site of a Civil War engagement. Reference to "a sharp fight at
Dranesville, Va." on Friday, December 20, 1861 is made in the book "The
Civil War Day by Day" by E.B. Long. There had been some skirmishes at
Dranesville in the days prior to Dec. 20, but this seems to have been the
biggest fight. There is a small county park there now.]
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