Letter from Phillip P. Slaughter to William D. Stuart, 1862

Scope and content:

Written from Abingdon, Virginia. Letter regards order to proceed to Bowling Green, Kentucky. Letter also encloses Special Order No. 1 (dated January 2, 1862).

Language:

English.

Other descriptive data:

Abingdon (Va) Jan. 4th 1862

Dear Sir,

Six companies of the Regt. have gone in under command of Capt. Boswell. The others will go tonight. I am much afraid we may be detained somewhat at Union, the first burnt bridge; but our great object is to get away as fast as possible from the road to Pound Gap. I will send you a copy of the order from the Sec of War.

Jacob, during our troubles has been invaluable to me; indeed, while attending to my immensible duties, I think I would have starved but for his providing hand & it is almost certain I would have lost everything I have, but for his care. I envy you very much the possession of so valuable & reliable a servant.

I told him he would either keep his horse in the Quartermaster's stables or at Mr. Benham's. In case I misinterpreted your wishes concerning him, and you should desire him to be sent on, write to Dr. Howard, who expects to carry his own, & it will be as easy to carry two as one. Should you adopt this suggestion, you had better write immediately.

Jacob desires me to say he is tolerable well and would like to hear from you as soon as convenient to know what course he is to pursue.

Maj. Green has not returned as yet. Two of Capt. Richardson's men deserted last night. I think we have some thirty sick in the hospital.

Hoping this may find you rapidly recovering and that you are able to rejoin us speedily.

I am sir, very respectfully

[on back] Copy of Order from Sec. Of War

XV. Colonel Stuart's 56th Regt. Virginia Volunteers, is detached from General Humphrey Marshall's Command and will immediately proceed to Bowling Green, Kentucky and report to General A. S. Johnston for duty with General Floyd's Brigade.

By Command of the Secretary of War

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate
Correspondence
Orders (military records)

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