Letter from Joseph B. Prince to John E. Roller

Creator:

Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903

Scope and content:

Written from Camp Stephens, Richmond, Virginia. Joseph B. Prince recently resigned from a teaching job at VMI to join the Army, but is disappointed in his Army position.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Camp Stevens- Richmond
May 3, 1864

Dear Roller,
Your esteemed favor did not reach me as soon as it would, had I not been absent on duty when it reached Camp. I hope you will pardon the delay on that account.

I must confess, I have been sadly disappointed in my calculations. When I resigned at the Institute, I was confident of a position in the Engineers. Alas! For the uncertainty of human expectations! I had thought very seriously of joining the Infantry, as a private, & but for the remonstrances of my parents, think I would have. There is little, well, I see none, chance of promotion in this service unless specially favored, which I have no right to expect. But I am not murmuring. I will be contented, if I only get through this struggle safe. It would afford you little interest, & cause me more mortification, to detail to you the many ways in which I have been deceived. If I could only forget the many apparently bright prospects which have been offered me, I should feel at least condoled, but memory still sings out "he, who tries to better a good condition, often renders it worse."

Your very kind offers in my behalf, I can assure you, are highly appreciated, & nothing would give me more pleasure than to be with you, I hope it may be so.

We are anxiously awaiting the result of the impending issue in Northern Virginia. I may say, in truth, never was so much anxiety manifested in any one battle. That we shall be victorious is my confident belief. We had some little excitement in this immediate locality last week, occasioned by the appearance of the enemy in some force at our positions [?] on the Pamunky. It turned out, however, to be a slight demonstration. Nothing else of special interest. Beckham & Boyd send their regards. Crawford has left the Institute, he failed to get a detail. Write soon & let me know all.

Your sincere friend,
J.B. Prince

Subjects:

United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate
Correspondence

Names:

Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917
Prince, Joseph B. (Joseph Brown), 1844-1903
Roller, John E. (John Edwin), 1844-1917

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