Letter from Peter S. Roller to John E. Roller

Scope and content:

Written from Staunton, Virginia. Letter regards Peter S. Roller's inability to supply General Francis H. Smith with hired or slave labor. Letter also includes a discussion of when John E. Roller should join the Army.

Language:
English .
Other descriptive data:

Staunton, Va.
Staunton Aug. 25th 1862

My Dear Son
Your letter to your ma was duly received. In reply to your inquiry about negroes for Genl. Smith, I know of none that can be hired or none that could be bought at this time. If I should hear of any I will write again. Had I known it a week earlier I think I could have gotten several men for him belonging to a party in Loudoun County.

I have not been to Harrisonburg since you wrote about the goods for Pantaloons, and as the season is so far advanced and as you have a prospect of getting other clothing for winter I have concluded not to buy it unless you think you shall need it.

The Mt. Crawford company has been exchanged and I understand that Mr. Blackford has succeeded in getting quite a number of them to join his company. If you have a desire to join his company as first Lieutenant perhaps it would be the best thing you could do. I think it will be best for you to consult Genl. Smith about it. He knows best what your chances would be for a situation after [you graduate]. If you have to enter the service [missing word] it would be better to go into it [now] and get hardened to the service before the cold weather sets in. However, if Genl. Smith thinks you had better stay until you graduate, I shall say to Mr. Blackford as soon as I see him, I will say to him if he will have you appointed that you shall have the privilege of accepting it. I will write again as soon as I see him and let you know what the prospects are of you getting an appointment. George Carpenter could not get out of the army he being a conscript and no provisions being made by Congress for young men wishing to go to the Military Institution. I am though with the Dam and have the Mill running again.
Yours in haste, P.S. Roller

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