The following letters were written by Pvt. Richard Whitfield Jones (1839-1916) who enlisted in April 1861 to serve in Co. D, 1st Virginia Artillery (“Richmond Howitzers”). Later in the war he was a commissary sergeant. Richard brought his enslaved servant Grandison with him to the front and often used him, when not far from Richmond, to hand carry his letters home. In one letter that he penned to his mother shortly after the victory at Gaines Mill, Richard wrote that, “If my boy Grandison delivers this this evening, you will please give him something to eat, and let him stay all night. He is a good boy and has been with me for the last 5 months.”
Letter 1
Darbytown Road
July 3rd 1862
My dear mother,
I have an opportunity of again dropping you a few lines by my old friend Plummer Payard. By him I send you a piece of oil cloth from which I wish you to make me a haversack as soon as you can. Enclosed you will find some pieces of poetry taken by me from the haversack of a Yankee officer on Monday. I send more to show you the fine hand writing than anything else.
Everything is very quiet today. We have only 29 cannoneers for duty, most of the men being sick, brought on by the want of something to eat. You can see a great change in all of the men—likewise in me—having been so long with nothing to eat but hard crackers. However, I am by no means sick—only weak.
Your bundle and note came to hand last night. I was very much obliged to you for the eatables. They were certainly enjoyed by the mess for supper last night, that being all we had. We drew rations of bread and shoulder today, and will I hope get along a little better now.
As Plummer is ready to go, I must now close. Have you heard anything from Dick? I understand the loss in the 12th Regiment was pretty heavy. I hope he got out all safe. Major John S. Walker 1 is reported killed. I only hope tis not so. If it is, his loss will be deeply felt both by his command, the church, and the community at large.
Give my best love to all. In haste, Your devoted son, — Richard
1 Major John Stewart Walker (1827-1862) was the son of David and Amanda Norvell Walker. His father was a Scottish immigrant of the Brook Hill Stewarts. John was educated at Washington College and Harvard. His twenty-first birthday extravaganza at Harvard was so costly, that when his Uncle-guardian received the bill, he pulled John from school and brought him home. John was employed in the family tobacco business, married his second cousin, Lucy, and bought a place in Richmond. He developed his own brand of tobacco, the award winning Queen Bee. The Virginia Life Guard was organized in the City of Richmond in January of 1861. On May 14, 1861 it became Company B of the 15th Virginia Infantry under then Captain, John Stewart Walker. At the Battle of Malvern Hill, Colonel Thomas August, was severely wounded. The command of the Regiment was assumed by Major Walker. He led the command in an advance against “murderous and withering fire of grape, canister musket balls.” It decimated the ranks. Pinned to ground, with light fading, Major Walker stood and commanded “Forward charge!” He was immediately struck down and dragged back into a little creek. He soon died in the arms of his brother.
Letter 2
Frederick City, Maryland
Sept. 9th, 1862
My Dear Mother,
You will see from heading that I have at last reached the state of “My Maryland.” I wrote you a letter on last Saturday when I stated that we expected to leave Sunday at 1 o’clock, but we did not get off until 5. I and one other was detailed from our company to form an advance guard together with two men from each of the other companies—making the party 8 men and a lieutenant. We moved on some distance in the head of the column, mounted, & with sabre & pistol, proceeded to see that the way was clear as we had neither infantry or cavalry with us. We reached the Potomac at 8 ½ o’clock and I was the first of the party to put foot on the soil of Maryland.
We forded the river at Cheek’s Ford. 1 Having reached the Maryland side, we proceeded along the tow path of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal about a mile when we crossed and took the road to the above place. After moving on this road about 3 ½ miles, we went back to report to Col. Brown that the way so far was clear. Here we met couriers from General [Stonewall] Jackson who informed us there was no danger ahead. After reporting, we were again ordered to the front to keep well ahead and a good look out. So we again led the way. Reached a small village of about 800 inhabitants called Buckeystown at day break on Monday, arriving after traveling all night. Here we again halted, waiting for the batteries to close up, when the command halted and went into camp for the purpose of feeding and resting the horses which by this time were pretty well worn out.
Again, at 11 o’clock, we moved on after a rest of 4 hours (this time without an advance, having infantry along) halting about 2 ½ miles from Frederick where it is likely we will remain for 2 or 3 days to rest the horses. This county (Frederick) is a very fine one, said to be the finest in the State—inhabited principally as far as we have gone, by Dutch, who seem to be a very kind and nice people, generally wealthy with fine farms, large and fine crops. The country is a rolling one, the sod very rich and heavy. The farmers live in small houses generally built of stone—neat, but plain and small, while their barns are large, fancy, and very fine. Their stock is good.
The city of Frederick is larger than Petersburg, the houses generally very fine. In this place two companies of cavalry and a regiment of infantry have been raised since [General] Jackson reached it last Friday, though only about half of the population are loyal to the South. Here we can buy—and have bought—coffee at 25 cents, sugar at 90, and other things at moderate prices. I wish there was some way that I could send you a supply, also some dry goods which are very cheap. How long it will be so, I cannot say. The citizens of Baltimore on last Friday formed themselves, took up arms, and on Saturday drove the Federal soldiers there out of the place, telegraphing to [General] Jackson to hurry on as soon as possible.
Last night it was reported that our cavalry at Poolesville, 10 miles from here, had a fight and been driven out of the place. No one was killed on our side—only 2 or 3 wounded [and] several horses killed. This is only rumor and no faith is put in it. What point our Generals intend making for, it is not known, but Channing Price, 2 who staid with us last night, said he thought from what he heard that we would move down to the Relay House, though it is not known. As there is no railroad communication to this point, I expect it will be difficult for a letter to reach you or me, though hope if you have a way to send one you will drop me a line or so. I send this through the Provost Marshal who has opportunities of sending them by couriers to points where they can be delivered. Give my love to all at home, and believe me, your devoted son, — Richard
1 See Crossing the Potomac by Jessica James, 2008.
2 Channing Price served on JEB Stuart’s staff from 29 July 1862 until he was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville on 1 May 1863. See Unpublished: Channing Price’s Pocket Diary 1861-1862.
Spared & Shared 23 