American Historical Ephemera & Early Photography Online

Confederate soldier's letter describing picket duty at Falls Church, 11th VA Infantry Regiment. "Camp Harrison...Near Fairfax C.H.," 27 August 1861.

4 pages, on bifolium, 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 in., creased, with some separations at crease intersections, toning. With postally used cover addressed to "Miss Deb Dudley" in care of James F. Payne, Esq., Lynchburg, VA.

The writer begins the letter by using all manner of betting lingo which he calls "sporting slang," in what is a very entertaining introduction. He then describes some of the treats he had with dinner, including several fruits that were sent to Sam Garland from home.

He then spends an entire page discussing how he made a lemon pudding by using some farina he bought at Falls Church along with some milk, sugar, and essence of lemon. Apparently Sam's brother Henry Garland helped make it as well. It was pronounced to be "fine" and "excellent."

He turns to more serious matters, discussing picket duty at Falls Church, reporting: "We got very close to the Yankee pickets no more than 150 to 200 yards and the firing was constant on both sides. None of us were hurt, although the balls flew about us, but we (10 of our men, 10 of the Mt. Vernon Guards & 3 independent scouts) killed 5 Yankees certain and wounded several others."

He opines: "This thing cannot go on much longer for it is bound to bring on a battle. We are expecting to have a fight daily and are prepared to move at any time."

The Samuel Garland our unidentified author references is likely Samuel Garland Jr (1830-1862), who was killed in action at the Battle of South Mountain. He was born in Lynchburg, where the recipient of our letter lives, and he attended Virginia Military Institute, graduating third in his class in 1849. He thereafter attended the University of Virginia, studying law. When Virginia seceded from the Union, the militia company he'd organized joined the 11th Virginia Infantry, and he became the regiment's colonel.