Letter to Eliza Johnson

Scope and content:

Written from "Camp near Verden." Letter regards family news and mentions situation in West Virginia.

Language:
English
Other descriptive data:

Camp near Verden
January 25, 1863
My Dear Wife
Yours of the 15th was received one week since for your expressions of kindness receive my sincere thanks. Your uneasiness about my health and amount of labor is too great. The amt of labor is not so very great except at particular times. If I did not suffer with my back, it would not be much. I was in Richmond this week saw your brother William, he was ordered to N Carolina the day I arrived in Richmond and left next morning. I saw Trayhorn the bogus Sheriff of Barbour who was arrested by Capt Hill of Imboden's command and brought to Richmond. After his arrest a company from [M or W-------] went to Barbour killed 2 citizens and carried 8 more to Wheeling to be held as hostages for the safety of Trayhorn. I learn from Judge Camden who left Richmond yesterday that John Williamson and Wm. Elliot had arrived in Richmond as Commissioners from Pierpoint to effect the release of Trayhorn. Saml. Elliot had been carried to Wheeling as one of the hostages. I saw the judge but a moment and did not learn the particulars about the killing of the men in Barbour. Mrs Rapps [ ] is here did not receive your letter about it until Goff had left and I was not here when Bradford left. If there was anything else it has been stolen. I found the bundle open one day but not hearing what was in it I could not tell whether anything was missing or not. I hope it was nothing of much value. When at home I lost the key of the trunk was not the stray key at Mr. Withrow's mine--We do not need any blankets have plenty--I shall write you in a few days. Do not count time as I am not certain when I can be at home. Give my love to all the children--write to Porter about improvement of his time--he has books--

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Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
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