Camp Marlboro, Head Quarters.

8^th Regt. SCV Oct 18^th 1861.

 

My Dear Sister:

                        We are now encamped between Centerville & Manassas Junction. On last Monday morning the "bloody 8^th" left Camp Darlington about two miles from Vienna and went out on picket about a half mile from Vienna, and remained there until Wednesday about 8 oclock p.m. Three companies of our Regt. were sent out on advanced picket each day, each company in a different place, I suppose about one mile apart. "Company (K)" went out on Tuesday morning and was stationed at Vienna at which place it remained until Wednesday morning when it was relieved by Company (F) Capt. Evans. On Tuesday night our tents at Camp Darlington were struck and sent back to the rear, and on Wednesday night about 8 oclock the "bloody 8^th" was put in motion and started on a march which ended at a place some mile & a half or two miles from where we are now. Yesterday evening we came on to this place and got our tents pitched about dark. We are near Bull Run and almost in the edge of the battle field of July 18^th. We marched on Wednesday night I suppose near fifteen (15) miles and were very willing at the end of the trip to "halt" and "rest". A crowd from our Regt. was sent out this morning with axes for some business, some say to cut out a road, and it is rumored / that our camp will be moved some distance from this place. I do not know whether we will move at all or not, and if we do move I don't suppose we'll go far.

 

            I do not understand our falling back so far, but suppose Johnston & Beauregard do not wish to fight this evening any farther out than here. The Yankees are said to be in immense numbers on this side of the Potomac, but if they ever get as far as Bull Run again a great many of them will "never see their darlings any more". No one can tell what will be done, but you may rest assured that before Lincoln's army ever reached Manassas Junction, tens of thousands of true sunshine hearts will have ceased to beat. We may not have to fight the rascals, still I suppose we will not unless they attack us but if they do we will give it to them with a vengeance. But I have no idea that they Yankees will get to Manassas Junction at least this winter. The fact is we anticipate hard fighting whenever we meet M^cClellan's forces, but there is no such word in our vocabulary as being whipped. The soldiers of the Confederate States are fighting for life home liberty, all that is dear to them, and each true hearted son of them like

"Lochiel, untainted by flight or by chains,

While the kindling of life in his bosom remains,

Shall victor exult, or in death be laid low,

With his back to the field, and his feet to the foe!

And, leaving in battle no blot on his name,

Look proudly to Heaven from the death-bed of fame". /

 

The weather is very warm now. Like the weather in S.C. it is changeable. Sometimes warm and then cold. It rained pretty hard last night but it was not cold.

 

            Has A.W. Weatherly reached home? I rec^d a letter from M^rs Owen of Manchester on yesterday dated 14^th Inst in which she stated that Weatherly & Jn^o. F. M^cLaurie had gone home on furlough.

 

            My health has improved a great deal within the last week or ten days and is now with the exception of a cold better I think than it has been since the last of July.

 

            I have just rec^d a letter this morning from Martin A. Covington. I am always glad to get a letter from anyone, and wish that you home folks would write oftener. Can't you send me a copy of the Mercury occasionally. Of course the news would be a little late but then I would hear something of interest from S.C. I would like very much to see the Cheraw Gazette or any S.C. paper. If you don't get the Gazette at home I reckon Uncle John likes it, tell him to send me a copy of it sometime if he pleases. Who are the Sergeants & Corporals in Emanuel's Compy do you know?

 

I must conclude. Remember me to all and write soon and write me about ten pages, and in case of a fight you may just consider the "Bloody 8^th" in.

 

Write anything at all that is in any way interesting and if you hear nothing interesting write any how.                                                                

 

As ever your affectionate brother,

John W. Smith.

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