Camp “Troup Artillery”

                                                                        Chesterfield, Va. Mch 12th

 

Dear Mother

                        This morning I received your note and the things you sent by Mr. Crow. I reached the co. on Friday night and found it in the same place but not as good health as when I left it. The boys seem all in excellent spirit and wanted to know all the news from Athens &c. As fast as a question was answered, another was propounded and often the same one by some one who had just come in. I told them everything I knew and tried to dispatch them but they kept me up till about one oc. although I told them repeatedly that I had slept very little since I left home. There have been a great many parties in old Caroline since I left and several since I returned. All given by soldiers. Some of our boys speak of getting up one for next week they intend surpassing all previous ones if a liberal amount will procure it. As I have never been around visiting much I will take little interest in them as I can always find plenty to do in camp. I was about to neglect giving you an account of our trip to Virginia. From Athens to Augusta nothing very amusing or interesting occurred except at Union Point. Then the Ladies crowded around and found out the soldiers and carried them to the soldiers home for dinner I was not hungry—but go I must they said and of course I did. I eat a very hearty dinner and such another dinner I have never seen since. Long may the “wayside home” prosper is the prayer of every furloughed soldier. Not that they care anything for the price of money saved but the kindness of the Ladies sends them on their way rejoicing and an involuntary “God bless them” excaped the patriot lips. We remained in Augusta one night and left on the 6:00 train. Our crowd got in the hindmost coaches presently we reached the first station. I got off and was walking on the platform by the ladies car when I heard my name called. I looked around and was very agreeably surprised to meet Miss. Tarver and sister, my old Savannah friends. I enquired if there was room enough for another passenger. An affirmative answer being given I jumped aboard—the train moved off and I found myself surrounded by these interesting Ladies—about 8 or 10 more were aboard with whom I got acquainted. They all were going to Linaston Spring to school. We travelled together till we arrived at Kingsville S.C. about 9 hours ride from Augusta. Anybody but myself could have enjoyed themselves, but as I am of course no hand for sentimental talk and no Ladies man I made out the best I could. I brought in Mr. Carlton who I know to be very fond of ladies society tried to place them off on him and I succeeded I think. The remainder of our route was rather disagreeable—there being too many passengers for seats in other words the cars were crowded till we got to camp. The next person that comes to Virginia from Athens—I wish you would procure me a 1/2 doz. cedar pencils no. 2 as Mr. White can send them I cant get them here—if he has no no. 2, 3 will do. They sell here for $1.25 a piece and very inferior at that. I generally lose them as fast as I can get them. There seems to be very little excitement. I learn we have marching orders as soon as the roads become better. The weather is tolerably cool. It snowed a little yesterday. The boys are “Spitin for a fight.” They want to whip them this summer badly. I learn they have moved our great fighting Gen’l from here. They have sent him to Petersburg. He is generally known as “Lees right elbow” or as the “Lion of the South.” I speak of Lieut. Genl James Longstreet—before whom Jackson or “Stonewall” dwindles into insignificance. The world has never seen such a corps as he commands. They are old veteran troops and victors in all hard fought battles. They don’t know what it is to be whipped. I hope they will let him take command of his corps should it be engaged in a fight. If he don’t I fear the summer will not roll over our heads and proclaim Genl Lee’s Army Conquerors. Give my love to all write soon.

 

                                                                        Your affectionate son,

                                                                                    L. C. Cooper.

 

Remember me to Mr. Waddell.

SOURCES