The author of this letter only signed it with the initial “C” so I can’t be certain of his identity but I suspect he was a member of Richtor’s 1st Special Battalion, Louisiana Infantry—a short-term unit that was formed near New Orleans and sent to the Virginia Peninsula to conduct picket and garrison duty at Young’s Mill and the Warwick River line near Yorktown. The unit was initially led by Lt. Col. Charles D. Dreux and then by Major/Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas H. Rightor.

Whomever penned this letter was a well educated soldier, most likely an enlisted man given the nature of his duties. His spelling and grammar was well above par.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp Rightor [near Yorktown, Va.?]
Sunday evening, November 10, 1861

Dear “Lou,”

Since writing you last Sunday I have spent a very pleasant week, although I have had some very hard work to do—cutting and piling logs, loading wagons, &c. everyday until 2 o’clock when we return to camp and work on our houses. We have several completed and ready to move our furniture into. The one for our mess will be completed about next Saturday if we can get the boards for roofing, flooring &c. I hope we will get through soon as it is becoming colder every day. Have had two severe hail storms this week—one night before last when I was on guard. Oh! gracious how it did pelt me about the face—worse than romping with “Lou.”

“Camp Rightor” is a very lively place now—all hands as busy as bees. It begins to have the appearance of a flourishing village. You would be surprised to see with what haste some of the boys build their cottages. There is nothing like health and employment to make men cheerful. All hands seem merry and contented. There is not more than twenty men in the whole battalion sick—old cases of chills & fever. We gather great quantities of Chestnuts, Chinquapins & Persimmons in the woods near the camp. They are very fine. I wish I could send you some. We have fine times roasting Chestnuts by our camp fires at night, smoking our pipes, spinning yarns, &c.—some fun practical jokes and occasionally a little row just for excitement.

Received two papers from you last night of 21 & 27th October. Glad to hear that the Confederate Picnic succeeded so well. Hope you have a pleasant time. In my last I forgot to mention that I had received the article with white fringe as well as scarf, &c. Will try and have some fun with the night cap. We have a mess mate that is rather old maidish in his manners that I christened Mrs. N—-a a long time ago and is now known through the camp as “the old lady” 9he is now absent from camp). When he returns, I will put it on his head some night when he sleeps. Imagine his surprise when he discovers it.

With best wishes for your prosperity. I am as ever yours, — C