Camp Darlington, Head Quarters.

8^th Regt. SCV Oct 10^th 1861.

 

My Dear Sister:

                        Your letter came to hand on night before last and was gladly received. I will now try to answer it though I can write you nothing new. A week or two ago we lay out in the woods a great deal and consequently I caught cold, and was not well for several days, but I am now about in my usual health, though that is not first rate by any means.

 

            There is one thing Mother has written me about several times and I have never answered her as to that matter because I could never recollect it at the time of writing. It is in relation to my mattress pillow &c. When I left Florence I rolled up the mattress & pillow in my tent, but after getting to Richmond my tent was opened and my mattress I suppose was stolen, any way, I never saw it again. I have the pillow yet though it shows evident signs of age.

 

            J. W. Grizzard & Dan^l T. Hargrove who went to the hospital in Richmond at the same time I did just arrived in camp yesterday evening. They look thin.

 

            I have one of the prettiest little Confederate flags you ever saw sent to me by a young lady of Manchester Va. "Flag of the free hearts only [?]

                                                   By angel hands" &c /

 

The flag was sent in a letter which I rec^d from M^rs Owen and [?] at when [?] I stayed in Manchester. The young lady aforesaid does not live a thousand miles from M^rs Owen's. I became acquainted with her while I was staying in Manchester.

 

            How are Tom & Mary getting on towards the state of matrimony? Is the affair at all likely to come off?

 

            I was sorry to hear of the death of Miss Sallie Crosland. Nick M^cIntosh told me the first I heard of it. I suppose the family must take her death and that of Sam pretty hard. I was very sorry indeed to hear of Sam's death as I liked him very much. But sorrow however sincere can avail nothing in such a case. At the same time we should be false to all the truer instinct of our nature did we fail to drop a tear or breathe a sigh at the memory of the early dead.

 

            If Corp^l Clark always perseveres as untiringly in pursuit of desired objects as he did in this case you related, if he possesses even a tolerable share of natural talent he must succeed in a great many cases when another would "tire and faint".

 

            I am not surprised to hear that "Bob & Irvin" have not volunteered. They would not if South Carolina was invaded. Well let them stay, their country and the "rest of mankind" will hardly miss them. It is true that we who have volunteered have to undergo many hardships but if we get back / safe from the wars we will have our reward in the gratitude of a grateful people. I could never stay at home and leave my friends and others to fight the battle of independence alone while I was enjoying myself at home. I should feel that I could be justly accused of cowardice.

 

            The arrested Officers were all released some two weeks ago as I have written home.

 

            Who are the candidates to fill Gen. Herragan's seat in the Legislature?

 

            Did Mother get the letter I sent by G.T. Carrington?

 

            The weather is colder than it was a few days ago. What is Uncle Daniel doing these days?

 

            Write soon and let me know how the crops are and everything relating to the farm. Write often. I know that postage on letters amounts to something but I wish to hear from home often. Some of you ought to write every three or four days any way.

 

            I will conclude. Give my respects &c to the neighbors.

                                                                                   

Your affectionate brother

John W. Smith

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