608 14^th St. N.W.

Washington D.C.

January 13 1909

 

            Dear Luther

                                    Words cannot express my delight in such a gift from you of your book. Nothing I have appreciated more. First knowing the writer as I do, a true friend. Second it carries me back to boyhood again. So carefully did I read it; and so familiar with its contents; giving the ups and downs of the boys in gray. Often I could feel myself on my little roan mare traveling some dark night in the same set of fours with you. The thoughts of those old days makes me feel nearer and nearer to the old Confederate soldier. It seems the older I get, the more I think, and the more I love the Confederate soldier. When I look at your picture taken in 1861 and just as you looked when I first saw you, it makes me say oh! for my boyhood again. So many things your book brings to my memory. Well do I remember the Upperville episode, when you and Geo. Gallier were captured. Luther we would have whipped those Yankees had it not have been for a remark made by one of the / bravest men in our Co. Bill Sowers—some one had told him that the Yankees were coming in on the Trapp road, which comes in to Upperville near where you were captured. Soon as he told Capt. Gibson, he ordered a right about wheel intending to go back only a few hundred yards, and wheel again and charge them; but you know what the Cavalry is when when they start on a retreat. No people were any more mortified than our Co. All near their homes; and each one had (as us boys use to say) Susan in that Section. We had a heep of fun teasing each other about running. Old Tom Goody Carter and his horse Kirby; as he would say in the run, Halt, boys Halt, de Capin say Halt, go on Kirby. Well dont I remember Orkney Springs. You tying a string to Tom Carr's toe, and when he would begin to snore you would pull the string. We would have our fun. As we so often sang, So let the grape shot come as they will; we will be gay and happy still. How often, way in the night Rust Green, our bugler, would sound for boots and saddles; and someone would holloa, whats that for Rust, and then from a thousand mouths would come, Whats that for Rust? and Rust would curse us all. Yes for four years we fought for what we knew to be right, and fought the world. We having about 600,000 men against 3,000,000. Ours the flower of the country. When we think so many noble young / men cut off just as they were about to bloom into manhood. After so long, nearly 50 years, it makes my heart sad to think of them. But their memory as well as all the Confederate soldiers are is always fresh in my mind. The flowers may be scattered; Break the vase if you will; The scent of the roses, will hang over them still—

 

Now Luther your book is well written, and just the thing for youthful readers. Written from facts; and by one who has been through it all and knows of what he writes; And further shows what young men can do, and what hardship they can endure. And you deal with our then enemies in a gentle way, Malice to none. For if those we were fighting had have been residing in the South, they would have been with us boys. Therefore I can and will recommend it to young and old, regardless of where they come from; as it deals solely on facts of a boy soldier.

 

Now I see no errors to my judgement, that amounts to any thing in a book of that kind. Now I will only call your attention to one, and you will see it amounts to nothing, as you see you have them placed properly in commanding our regiment; but not in rank. Cable Flernoy never got above a Major. For this reason when our regiment was formed Field was made Colonel. Julian Harrison Lieut Col. Cable Major over / when we were falling back from Manassas in March 1862 Field was made Brigadier of infantry. Harrison went up to Col. Cabel resigned and Old Man Flernoy went up to Lieut. Col. and Jno. Hack Green Major when Old Man Flernoy resigned Green was made Lieut. Col. and Cabel Flernoy Maj. which rank he held up to his death, and commanded the regiment from before the 9^th of June 63 until he was killed at Cold Harbor, 64 After Harrison was wounded he never came back to the regiment nor resigned Green did not resign until after the death of Maj. Flernoy. Then Richards of Co. D was made Lieut. Col. Grimsby of Co. B. Maj. Richards was wounded, and Grimsby commanded the regiment from June, 62 until the end of the war. Now you see a little minor thing like that would interest but few, in your book. Your book is all right and I will do all I can to push the sales of it; and am now looking for a good canvasser, to handle it in this city. Soon as I do will write you for proper instructions. Now I am mighty glad you have such a lovely household; And tell them for me, no one has a better husband or father than they. Frank is living at 2216 – 14^th St NW this city. He was paralysed about three years ago; but got partly over it, and was in business at the above number. He can't get about very fast. We often talk of you & the old boys. Tell your good family not to be jealous that I love you too. Yours sincerely, Tip

                                    Jno. W. Peake

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