Letter to James Henry Reid, Sr.

Scope and content:

Written from Camp at Carter's Station. Letter regards life at camp.

Language:

English .

Other descriptive data:

Camp Carter's Station
March 7th 1864

Dear Pa
Having received no answer to my last which contained an account of my hardships in coming out and entering camp, I suppose you must be in Richmond and I having an opportunity write again.

We have had some very fine weather since I last wrote, but it is raining today which makes camp life very unpleasant. We have been expecting to move ever since last Tuesday, but the cars are without an engine and consequently we cannot go until one does come, which I hope will not be shortly as it is a great deal of trouble moving and making bunks etc. Although I like this life very well I am sure it it not as pleasant as in the Engineer service. We get wet one day, dry the next, get wet the next and so on. In the Engineer Corps we can always get to some house out of the rain and mud.

Besides the people out here are all Yankees and it is very hard to get anything to eat. They are the most ignorant set of people I ever saw. I have been for miles around and have not come across the first respectable looking man yet. The ladies call us Rebels, abuse us &. You seldom find that elegance and taste which belongs to a Virginia lady and especially Lynchburgers. Get the Detail if you possibly can and write me as soon as you hear.

I must close as I am lying on my side in a crowded bunk with my feet poking out in the rain writing this. With love to Ma, Miss Emma, Miss Annie, Miss Millie and all the ladies, I remain,
Your affectionate son
J. Henry Reid.

P.S. I wish if you can possibly do it to purchase me a large knife & send it by the first opportunity . It is one of the most useful articles to a soldier. What must I do with my large Confederate notes. I cannot pass them out here. I expect we will go to the front for Maj. King wants his battalion to do something for him to get promoted.

Direct Otey Battery, 13th Battalion Va Artillery, Longstreet's Corps.

Subjects:

Confederate States of America. Army—Virginia Light Artillery Battalion, 13th
United States—History—Civil War, 1861-1865—Personal narratives—Confederate
Correspondence

Access and use