The Lancaster Ledger, Lancaster, South Carolina, September 4, 1861
Letter from the Confederacy
August 16th, [1861]
Yesterday in company with Col. Blanding, I visited the camp of Col. Kurshaw's Regiment, now about 2-1/2 miles from us. I was sorry to find a great deal of sickness in that regiment also. Their sick have been sent off to the Hospital at Culpepper, Orange and Charlottesville, and some to Fairfax Court House, which is nearby. Better attention and more comforts can be given them at these places. Not more than a half, if that many, of Capt. McManus' company [remain] in camp. All who were there [unreadable] were looking well and [unreadable]. Capt. M. had not returned from Richmond, whither he had gone on business. Lieut. Welsh is with his son who was wounded in the battle of the 21st; Lieuts. Clyburn and Perry are in command. Both were well. After the sick are sent off to the Hospital, it is difficult to hear from them. There is so little communication with those places, and they are so distant in the rear. Many of the cases are Typhoid Fever. With that disease, attention and good nursing is all important and saves many a life.
In the evening Co. B. and myself returned by way of Fairfax C.H. The churches are used for general hospitals. Nearly all the private residences have as many sick soldiers as they can attend to. I visited the sick of Capt. McManus Company and found them comfortable and out of danger. We also called to see Mrs. Jackson, the widow of the martyr and hero who killed Col. Ellsworth, of the Zouave Regiment, for entering his house in Alexandria and pulling down the Confederate Flag which proudly floated from its dome. She now resides at Fairfax C.H. Our visit was received in the spirit which dictated it. She very kindly and cordially offered us her house and attention in case of sickness. She has three sweet and interesting children, all girls, aged from seven to thirteen. She is now engaged in ministering to the wants and comforts of the poor sick soldier, having several patients under her hospitable roof and receiving her kind and cordial attention. The fund which a generous South and her public-spirited citizens have contributed for her relief, comfort and support, has been most worthily bestowed. Her three daughters have yet to be educated. A small contribution from each will never be missed. The aggregate would confer immense blessing. Think of it, sympathizing friends who have not contributed and support your sympathy with an actual contribution. It will never give you a pain on your deathbed.
This morning's report shows the sick list [at] 204 in our Regiment. Provisions [are] rather scarce in this locality. So many soldiers to be fed. Thousands are now about here, and thousands have been about here. The people say the Federal troops killed, destroyed and eat up all, in most cases without paying. Abuse is now piled up on the Lincoln forces for what they did in passing to Bull Run. No complaint for what was done in the retreat, for that was made in 2.40 time, the double-quick being not fast enough. they had no time to eat or destroy. What was said when they were encamped about here, I know not. I doubt whether the abuse was piled up as strong as it now is. Do not infer we do not get enough to eat. The Government takes care of the substantials and provides accordingly. That is brought up from Richmond. For some days, and in fact all the time we were at Camp Petius, eggs, butter, chickens and vegetables could not be had for love or money. But since our encampment here, we have had a taste. It is amusing to witness the scrambling when a one-horse wagon comes in freighted with such delicacies.
The nights here are cool with heavy dews. Warm clothing, socks and shoes will soon be needed, the latter wanted now. Neither can be had in this region at any price. Any contributions of from Lancaster would be thankfully received. It will save the life of many a patriotic soldier and useful man. The want of it will cause many to sicken and die. When we will advance again is not known. Our men are getting impatient. Forward and onward of the 9th is the wish of all. We can hear distinctly the guns at Alexandria, Arlington Heights and Washington, and hope soon to be there. We are always ready for an advance movement and for this purpose the commissary is requested to keep on hand three days rations of hard bread and salt meat.
[unsigned]
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