I can’t be certain of the signature but believe it to be B. F. Davis and my hunch is that it was written written by Baldwin F. Davis of Co. A, 14th Georgia Infantry who were part of the Wigfall’s Brigade at Dumfries, Virginia, in January 1862. See below.

“Although records are not complete, it is known the batteries blockading the Potomac were supported at least in part by a portion of the brigade of General W.H.C. Whiting, who was in charge of protecting the Potomac and Occoquan front. In January of 1862, General Johnston reported the forces near Dumfries under the command of Brigadier-General Whiting included: a brigade consisting of the 4th Alabama Infantry, 2nd Mississippi Infantry, 11th Mississippi Infantry, 6th North Carolina Infantry, 1st Tennessee Infantry, and Staunton Artillery (Virginia); Brigadier-General Wigfall’s brigade consisting of the 5th Alabama Battalion Infantry, 18th Georgia Infantry, 1st Texas Infantry, 4th Texas Infantry, and 5th Texas Infantry; Colonel Hampton’s brigade consisting of the 14th Georgia Infantry, 19th Georgia Infantry, 16th North Carolina Infantry, and Hampton’s Legion (South Carolina); and a Detachment including Reilly’s artillery (North Carolina), Rives’ battery (South Carolina), Shannon’s cavalry (South Carolina), and Thornton’s cavalry (Virginia; OR Series 1, Vol 5:1030).“

Transcription

Cabin Home near Dumfries
January 11th 1862

Most respected Martha & esteemed Jordin,

Yours of the 29th of November came to hand a few weeks ago and never was a letter perused with more emotion of delight. It found me very unwell but now I am well, fat and saucy. I hope when these lines come to your fair hand and before the sparkling black and blue eyes and pleasant countenances of the objects to who I am now writing, they may find her well contented and well satisfied.

I have nothing new or interesting to write but to Jordin I will tell you so is your sweat heart as you don’t know and so forgetful as to forget the name of Washie so quick. He is as saucy as you please. He almost weeks and often he sighs for the sight of them rosy cheeks & bewitching eyes.

The boys who you are acquainted with are all well, fat and saucy/ We have a fine time. We have plenty to eat—nothing to do but haul wood and make fires. We are close to the Yankees but we are not afraid of them. We don’t know when they will come on us.

I han’t seen but two girls in two months, It has been six weeks since I saw any women. If I stay in the war three years and as destitute of the sight of the fair objects as I have been since I came to this place, I would not know what a sweet heart was if I was to meet up with one. You must tell Jane and Alsey howda for me. Tell Alsey that I would take the allovers to see a chicken pie—it has been so long since I saw one. I would walk up and gather it with both hands. Tell her not to say chicken pie to me any more till I get home. Tell her to talk about something in the country till I get where there could be such a thing. I han’t seen a chicken in 5 months.

Henry has quit beating coppers. He is fat. He hears from Cristina often. She is gone to Atlanta. Tell Jane her and Martha may fight over their beau now if ever for he is larger and looks better than he ever did but I suppose my sweetheart is gone. Tell Lisa, John A. has quit using tobacco. Tell her that I never received and answer from her and when I write to girls, if they don’t answer, I quit. But give her my best respects. Tell Jane there is no jews harps here but there is many boys if they could get to come home they would make worse noise than a jews harp. There is no use of trying to des the pleasure it would be to all us boys to return to our home in peace and visit the fair and loved ones who we left in Georgia.

Tell City good half an hour before supper. Tell her I want to see cousin Fannie. I want to see them cunning yellow eyes, to see her grin, and take a peep at them ivy white and beautiful set of teeth. Tell William to write to me. If he will, I will answer all the letters that is wrote to me. I want you to tell me who it is so kind as to feed William on apples.

The letters you two girls wrote to me afforded me as much pleasure as any letters I received from any person. There is some sickness among the soldiers. Tucker is better satisfied than he has been since we first went in camp. Washie takes everything as easy as any soldier can. You girls are excused for not writing sooner and all other excuses.

Now you will please excuse me for not writing sooner. Please write son and give me a history of everything that is going on in Georgia. Accept the best respects [from] one who wishes you both well. — B. F. Davis

I forgot Christmas and New Years gift to you both.

To Martha Scott & Jordin Sutton