The following letters were written by Samuel Allen Swanson (1838-1862), the son of John Swanson (1802-1882) and Julie B. Cook (1802-1868) of Swansonville, Pittsylvania county, Virginia. Samuel enlisted in Co. D (“Whitmell Guards”) 38th Virginia Infantry, in June 1861 and he was elected 2nd Lieutenant. He was killed in the Battle of Seven Pines near Richmond on 31 May 1862. A comrade in Co. D wrote the following lines in honor of the fallen lieutenant.

“Here in the firm embrace of death
Young Swanson calmly, sweetly sleeps—
The soul its earthly home has left,
Forever flown from mangled heaps.
Farewell! you’re gone, but not forever;
In Heaven Death’s hand cannot us sever—
In that bright home we’ll live together,
Where love nor friendship does.”

Samuel wrote both letters to his younger sister, Mary Henrie Swanson (1843-1904).

Letter 1

Camp Edmonds near Centre[ville]
October 5th [1861]

Sweet Sister Mollie,

It is with unfeigned pleasure I assure you that I acknowledged the reception of your highly interest[ing] letter of the 28th ult. which came to hand a few days ago and to which I hasten to reply. I am surprised to hear that you do not get any letters from me as I have written punctually once and often twice a week to some of you, and had commenced grumbling considerably myself because I did not receive any letters from home. But I suppose that it was owing to Capt. Hall’s being here and you heard from me through his letters. You doubtless have received the letters which I sent by him. I also wrote to you and Bettie the 2nd of this month. I have received no answer to the letter I sent Frank by Jim Tarpley. Did he get it or not? And if he did, why does he not answer it?

I did not get the shoes he sent by Jack Day so I cannot tell whether they fitted or not. Jack lost his knapsack on the way. The things I wrote to bro. Cook for had better be sent by Oliver as I do not suppose Col. Edmonds will get them. You can also send me a thick bed quilt, but I reckon you had better [wait] until we get into winter quarters before you send it. Tell Oliver not to forget that book I told him to get in Richmond as he came back—William’s Principles of Medicine. Tell Miss Pat not to wait too long before she sends some papers. My love to her and sister. I received a very nice box from cousin Bet Milliner and cousin Pat last week. How strange does such liberality appear when contrasted with the selfishness of some other relations of ours.

I suppose captain has told you all where are encamped. We have not moved since he left although we are daily looking for orders to leave. There has nothin new occurred since I last wrote down this way.—everything being very quiet down this way. Men generally seem in very fine spirits owing to our recent victories in Missouri and western Virginia. I am in very good health now—better than when the captain left as I had a very bad cold then.

When you write, give me all the news. Love to all and tell them to write. Write soon yourself to your affectionate bro., — Sam

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Letter 2

Camp Edmonds, Va.
October 27, 1861

Miss Mollie C. Swanson, fondly loved sister,

Your long looked for and highly interesting letter of the 5th inst. has been received and to which I hasten to respond, impelled alike by the selfish desire of again hearing from you, and in compliance with the promise I made you all just before leaving. All things you sent by Mr. Pritchett came safely to hand. The gloves are very nice indeed but they seem to have been knit for the left hand while both for the right have suited me better. The pants are very nice also but I would of prefered a grey or dark color as a very light color does not suit very well. Why is it that you all have quit writing to me? I do not receive a letter once a fortnight. You all must write oftener. Why does not cousin Sallie answer my letter? She has not concluded to drop me so unceremoniously from her list of correspondents, has she?

You have no doubt ere this received accurate accounts of the brilliant engagement that took place down here a few days ago. It has spoiled our prospects of a general engagement as McClellan will scarcely dare to make an attempt to take Centreville after having met with so disastrous a defeat at the outset of his campaign. Should he come, however, he will meet with a hearty reception as the troops seem anxious for a fight.

I had the pleasure of again seeing Gen. Johnston, Beauregard, Longstreet, and others the other day. I have been on picket since I last wrote. We had a very rough time of it as it was raining about twenty-four hours of the time but I do not think it has made any of us sick.

Tell Oliver he must be sure and get those books I told him about, namely Williams’ Principles of Physics and Hardee’s Tactics. If he cannot get Hardee’s, tell him to get the Volunteers Manual and Drill Book. Tell him to be sure to get them if he can as I am about to die of ennui. Tell Miss Pattie that she must write soon or I will conclude that she is tired of corresponding with an absent friend. Write soon, cery soon, to your affectionate brother, — Sam’l A. Swanson