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-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

1856-1861 16 items Letters of John P. Lightner to Amanda C. Armentrout Brand #11332

Stevens Camp

June 29th

[Appearing in brackets: 1861 June 29]

Dear Friend;

I doubt not that you would to glad to hear from your old friend by this time, who is now enjoying the pleasures or miseries of Camp life[.]

I am very well at present, was not for several days after, I overtook my company, which is now stationed 20 miles from Martinsburg, Beverly Co. some 6 miles from the Potomac, we are getting pretty close to the Yankees[.] But the closer we approach them the faster they retreat. I like camp life very much, if it is was not for cooking. I wish you would come down & cook for me. I have engaged one young lady to fight for me. She was so kind & patriotic as to offer her services, & of course I could not refuse. I think most of the ladies are more patriotic than some of the Gentlemen[.] I met with a great many of my old acquaintances, in the different regiments stationed here, which makes it more pleasant than it otherwise would be. They all seem very cheerful & lively, and most too anxious to come into deadly conflict with their enemy. I know I dont want to fight. I’m a great lover of peace, & would give a million, if I had it, to be in Lincolns position one day, peace would come , if I could bring it. I abhor the idea of war, & believed once, that it was morally wrong on all occasions. But this war is certainly a holy & just one, on our side; the other is none else than unconstitutional, brought on by wicked usurpation of power, but from present indications & from reports now current, the prospect for peace is flattening. I only hope the present Congress will settle the whole affair. It is the will of our maker to have peace at all times, if people would not become so rebellious, he would not chastise so severely us by bringing war upon them. These have been in times past & must needs now be. Two ladies from Washington came to Martinsburg, stated that the Cabinet was writing out a proclamation of peace. I don’t know how they knew it, but suppose they had some good reason for believing so.

There are some hard customers here, care for nothing whatever, themselves nor any one else.

I would rather be at College about this time, at my studies[.] I hated worse to leave them, than I hated to leave my friends[.] I had hoped the whole time & still hope that this terrible calamity will be averted from our one glorious country, but now agitated & dissevered. I was well taken care of from Staunton to Winchester by two young ladies, I _____ you think they had a heap to do. I did not start as soon from home as I expected to do, from some mismanagement. I have not seen John [Jones?] but once since I’ve been here; went over this morning to see him, but this was wash day with him. He is well, or at least I’ve heard nothing the contrary. 3 of our men were shot a few days ago, one by Yankee & the other two accidentally [.] All of them still living but badly wounded. We have religious services in our company every night, conducted by different members of the company. had two sermons last Sabbath - have no regular chaplain, as I know of. You must excuse this short & badly written epistle. I have now an opportunity [The following part of this letter is written in the margins on the first page.] of sending it ____ [chunk torn from page] to watch for opportunities to send mail as the mail is not regularly brought. You must remember me[.] my love to whom you please[.] Direct to Martinsburg. Care of Capt. J. J. White. Write soon, It will be a great pleasure to me to hear from you anytime[.] I have heard nothing from the neighborhood since I’ve been here[.] I remain your friend [,] sincerely Mr. P. Lightner

[A small envelope addressed to "Miss Amanda C. Ar_________" is attached.]