The following letter was written by Stephen Stanley Crittenden (1829-1911), the son of Dr. John Crittenden (an early settler of Greenville, South Carolina) and Sarah Maria Stanley. He was educated in Greenville and at Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1855, he married Eliza Jane Lynch (1838-1865), of Virginia. After her death, he married Sarah A. Bedell (1839-1911.

Crittenden was a planter. He volunteered at the first call for troops, and was elected 1st Lieutenant of a company [Co. G] that became part of the 4th South Carolina regiment under Col. J. B. E. Sloan, and participated prominently in the first battle of Manassas. This regiment and Wheat’s battalion, forming Evans’ brigade, on the extreme left, “commenced the great battle and held the hosts of the enemy in check for two hours before being reinforced. The regiment suffered severely in killed and wounded. The day after this battle Lieut. Crittenden received the appointment of Adjutant in place of the gallant Samual D. Wilkes, of Anderson, who was killed.”

“In the great battle of Seven Pines, in May, 1862. when many of this gallant regiment were killed, Adjt. Crittenden was wounded by a minié ball in the left breast while in front of his command. During his absence because of this wound, Gov. Pickens appointed him Lieutenant Colonel of the 4th Regiment of Reserves then forming for the defense of the Carolina Coast. At the expiration of this service on the coast he volunteered as a private in Gen. Gary’s mounted regiment, Hampton’s famous legion, for service around Richmond. He also served on the staff of Gen. Gary.

After the war Gen. Crittenden returned to planting, but for ten years served in his State Legislature as Representative and as Senator. He was Postmaster at Greenville four years during Mr. Cleveland’s first ad-ministration.” He committed suicide in 1911. [Source: Confederate Veteran]

Transcription

Germantown [Virginia]
October 4th 1861

My dear wife,

Last night I received the bundle sent by Mr. Guysen. It has been at the railroad station several days. Mr. Guysen went for the various boxes last night and as it was quite late when he came with them, he left them unopened till this morning. You sent the very things I needed, my darling, and they are all very nice indeed. I know of nothing now that I particularly need. The shirts, handkerchiefs and socks, all are good quality, and the two first I particularly needed. I wrote you before that I had received the undershirts and drawers which were also very nice so this completes my wardrobe when I get the boots for which I am not at all suffering. The boots I bought of Beattie are still pretty good. We received also 4 bottles of peach brandy from Dr. R. Croft, one each for Col. Loan, Mr. Guysen, Capt. Hawthorn, and myself. We have not yet tried it but have no doubt it is fine.

We are looking for orders to march today, perhaps to a fight, though there is little prospect of that in my opinion so we are keeping the Dr.’s brandy for that occasion. Please return him our thanks with our united respects & hopes to see him and his patriotic company in Virginia.

I received your pleasant letter also my darling in the bundle. I need no more socks. Also, my dear, I received your letter with one of Anna’s cards and a piece of your own hair which I prize very much. Tell John he can come back and we will give him an easy berth of some kind in the company. I have received but few papers which you have sent—not more than twice I believe. The Enterprise editor sometimes sends me his papers. Has he published a letter from me from Falls Church?

I have written you several ties lately, my darling, & rarely let a whole week pass without writing you. I wish indeed I could visit home a few weeks. I long to give you a kiss, my darling, and to keep you warm these cool nights which you know I could do if I was there. I hope sometime next month after the campaign has closed that I may get off. One thing is certain, I am going to try for I am longing more & more to see you & my babies. Keep up a brave heart, my darling, and I think it will not be very long before we have the happiness of meeting.

I still like to hear of what is going on at the farm and just what they are doing. When you send to the office, send a dime always because we have no change in the army to pay letters. Kiss Anna & say I will keep her pretty case and look at it and kiss every day. Yours too, my darling. Kiss little Stanley for me & tell all the negroes howdy. Give my love to your Pa & Ma, Father, John and Aunt Curtis. I am truly sorry for Uncle William & family & poor Rosa Johnson.

Thomas [W.] Duncan & I were talking last night & agreed we would try to visit our wives in a few weeks if no fight came off or if one did and we escaped. No one, not even Thomas wishes to see his wife any more than I do, I can tell you. and if I have to remain here all winter in winter quarters with no fighting, you will have to come here. Your Ma could take care of poor little Anna if you could not bring her (but how sad that would be) & you with baby & nurse could come to Fairfax Court House or in the county wherever we would be very easily & I could get you a good private house, my darling, if I cannot come home.

You have money enough I sent you & I would be [ ] enough all the time to pay all our expenses and there is no way I wish to spend it equal to this. I was relieved from the adjutancy yesterday by my own request. I now receive $90 or $3 a day which would pay all our expenses here at a good county house. Several officers have their wives here including our Brigadier General Jones. Write on receipt of this.

Dolph sends his love. He is still with us as an independent fighter.

As ever, I remain your affectionate & devoted husband, — Stanley

P.S. You would have to bring Anna too, I think. The trouble or expense would not be much more. Still I hope to come home myself during the winter. — Truly, — Stanley