1. When there is no punctuation in the document, it is added in brackets if needed for clarity.

2. The notation [sic] is used to indicate a misspelled word if needed for clarity.

3. A blank space, i.e. ________ indicates a word in the document that is not dicipherable.

4. The capitalization style in the original document is copied.

5. Square brackets, i.e. [ ] are used to indicate an addition by the transcriber to clarify meaning in the original document.

6. Underlining in the original document is repeated in the transcript.

7. An attempt is made to keep editing to a minimum to preserve the often unique character of the original.

-Mary D. Edwards Summer 2000

Camp Harman Senterville [sic] Fairfax Co Va

September 15th 1861

My dear Kate

As I have not heard from you for a long time, I have seated my self this beautifull [sic] Sabbath morning for the purpose of dropping you a fiew [sic] lines. I have been looking for a letter from you for some time past. Indeed I have not recieved [sic] a [letter] from Augusta for the last three weeks. I begin to think that I am utterbly [sic] forsaken[.] no one can tell the pleasure that it affords a poor soldier on recieving [sic] a letter from his friends & acquaintances[.] It enlivenes [sic] his mind & makes him energetick [sic] in performing his duties[.] thre [there] is no news of interest to write[.] our advance pickets are in two miles of the Arlington highths [sic][.] night before last Stuards [sic] Cavelry [sic] run thare [sic] advance guard across the river[.] Colonel Stuard [sic] said he was in two miles of Washington

[page 2] thay [sic] took fifteen or twenty Prisoners[.] John Plunket went down to fairfax Courthouse[.] he said he had an interview with some of the Prisaners [sic] two Lieutenants & some privates[.] thay [sic] said thay [sic] ware [sic] glad that thay [sic] did not care which way the victory went that thay [sic] had been forced to come on the soil of Va. [.] thay said that old Abe promest [sic] to keep them in the city for to protect it and after he got them thare [sic] he made them go whare [sic] ever he pleased.

I have now [no] doubt but thare [sic] will be a forward moovement [sic] on our side before long. Artilery [sic] is going down almost evry [sic] day[.] it is said that we can burn Alexandria[,] Georgetown & part of Washington from halls hill, that was taken the other night[.] it is said that we can knock the Washington Aquiduct all to peices[.] The red flag waves in full view of the white house evry [sic] day[.] I reckon that it is very provoking to old Abe, when he takes his spy glass & looks over into Virginia and thare [sic] see what he cauls [calls]

[page 3] the rebel flag waving write [right] under his nose

We just hurd [sic] that we would have to move down the road about four miles[.] I am glad o,ve [of] it though we will be leaveing [sic] a very nice camp and a healthy one we will be neerer [sic] the enimy [sic]

Thare [sic] are three men walking up and down our regament [sic] carring [carrying] napsacks as a punishment for thare [sic] misconduct[.] I would as leaf [sic] be shot[.] I believe thare [sic] is grate [sic] injustice done to our Company since the battle of the 21st of June. enoughf [sic] to brak [sic] our Com. up but hope it will not have that affect [sic] for I hope yet to see the Augusta grays march back to greenville after peace is made. I would like very much to see you and open my hold heart to you, but some times I think you care nothing for me what ever. then it cannot be that love so pure can be treated with coldness[.] thare [sic] seems yet a happy future spread out before me, and I shall enjoy the bamy [balmy] breeze of freedom[.] I must soon bring my letter to a close[.] My health is very good & hope this short

[page 4] letter will find you enjoying good health[.] Your Brother is well and harty [sic][.] My Brothers are both well[.] Your friend James V. is well & harty [sic][.]

Give my respect to all inquireing friends[.] I ask an interrest [sic] in your prayers that I may hold out faithfull [sic] untill [sic] the end. Write Soon as I am ever ancious [sic] to hear from you[.] Nothing more but remain your true and sincere lover.

Wm F. B.