Letter to Daniel M. Harden

Scope and content:

Written from Camp at Fairfax Station, Virginia. Letter discusses the importance of military schools that "will serve as a nucleus around which to build up a Southern Army."

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Camp at Fairfax Station
Aug 21st 1861

Dear Father,
I received yours Lou's and Billy's notes day before yesterday. My advice to Billy would be to return to the Institute. All the Military schools in the land will be in operation, and others will doubtless spring up these will serve as a nucleus around which to build up a Southern Army. No education in future will hardly be considered complete that does not embrace a knowledge of tactics. It seems to me impolitic to draw Southern boys into the war, when we have enough able‐bodied men to fight our battles, and especially when there is a probability that these boys will render more effective service to their country at a future day. Billy has been at the Institute one year and laid a foundation for his education and I see no good reason why he should not continue to build upon it. I do not think the fact of a war being in progress should do away with the intellectual training of one generation. Two of the Corps of Professors at the Institute have been ordered to return by the 1st of October, the places of the others will be supplied, at least this is the arrangement at present. I suppose by Fall, the cadets whose martial spirit now inclines them to remain in the army, will return to the Institute. Billy spoke of returning as drill master. Since the battle of Manassas, the men would be indignant to talk to them about a drill‐master as they call themselves old soldiers.

There is no position in this Regiment, or any other, in which Billy could draw pay, and remain only a month or so. But if it is his desire to join the army for the war, and this meets with your approval, I don't think there is any doubt about his obtaining a situation in this Regiment as 3rd Lieut. of Capt. Brown's Company at a salary of eighty ($80) a month. Capt. Brown's 3rd Lieut. has resigned and the vacancy will be to fill, and I asked the Captain the probability of Billy's election. He consulted with his men, and told me he did not think there would be any doubt about it. The resignation of the Lieut. has just been sent in and whilst it will certainly be accepted, it will not be heard from for three or four weeks. I can postpone the election until the 1st October, if necessary. This is all I can do for Billy at present, you & he can take it under consideration & report. But tell Billy if he decides to take the post‐ I want him to understand that Genl. Elzey don't give furloughs & that I don't want to be troubled by loaning money‐ clothes, or treating to ice cream that if he comes he must come with the determination to "hoe his own row"‐ He has been in the army long enough to know what it is & what will be expected of him. Of course I will cheerfully administer to his wants should he get sick, but Billy understands he remembers my lectures about his sponging and complaining at Winchester.

But enough on this subject for the present. I have been directed to make a requisition for 40 rounds of cartridges in addition to what I have and now have a good deal on hand. I am told 17 loads of boats went to Aquia Creek a few days since. I was at Fairfax C.H. yesterday‐ the whole country around is one grand encampment. We have a good deal of sickness in our camp‐ not less than 150 cases‐ of this number about twenty have the remittent fever. Some of my men I fear will die. A. B. Bridges who married (Robt. Miller's) widow died in the hospital at Richmond with the fever‐ he was delirious when he reached Gordonsville. We lost another man last week with the fever on his way home near camp & gave them all the attention we can. I am sorry to hear of Mr. Steven's illness‐ but hope he is well by this time. Let me hear from you soon.
Your affectionate son.
Jim

My regards to Miss Matilda & Mr. Stevens family.

Subjects:

Military schools -- Southern States
Soldiers -- Confederate States of America -- Correspondence

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