mentions problem concerning raising bail to release Charles from jail and have him move immediately to Kentucky from Virginia-fears Charles life may be in danger; mentions marriage of Lucy Watts to Walter G. Ferguson, a grandson of Walter Carr, formerly of Albemarle County.

--concerning illness of son William who is being treated for "curved spine;" talks of details of will of $20,000 to $30,000 he is handling for deceased husband of Mrs.[Beverly] Broadus.

William still ill and not expected to recover; tells specifics of sale of Albert, a slave, for $700; Albert's poor health lowered his selling price, but he was sold without "warranty" so "if he should become worse and die the purchaser can not come back on me"; has received a letter from Charles indicating he has arrived at his home safely.

William worsening; Lucy Ferguson and husband living at their home

Two letters concerning will executions

wants Twyman to fix date in November for settlement of his father's estate.

Charlottesville to brother Billy (William R. Twyman)

describing a baptizing in a Baptist church in Earlysville

mentions that everyone is full of "military spirit" and that he has joined a new company - all rifle

full of interesting details about troop trip from Charlottesville via Gordonsville to Harper's Ferry, where Federals had just left having not heard of the passing of the ordinance of Secession - describes train of powder left by Union forces which was ignited, blowing up buildings containing arms; describes hearing rumors that Lincoln had left Washington; gives troop numbers at Harper's Ferry; tells of the troops walking from Strasburg to Winchester and the ills they suffered; tells of the hoisting of the southern flag over Harper's Ferry; mentions being at Martinsburg where more southern troops are expected and writes of the crowded conditions there; includes a hand drawn map of positions of forces on various hills at Harper's Ferry.

- talks of meeting friends from Greene County, John Williams and John Eddins; reports a great many ladies are about catching the soldiers' eyes.

This is a combination report and letter to brother Billy which covers three long pages of paper from an old accounting book with an insert letter. On May 27, he notes that there has been a false report that the enemy was within one mile of camp; on May 28, he writes that General Lee has arrived at camp from Richmond, that the Carolina regiment has encamped 8 miles away at Centreville, that one spy of the enemy has been shot and two more taken prisoners; on May 29, 200 troops from Goochland have arrived, hears that England has recognized the Confederacy; on May 30, drill times have changed, General Lee starts back to Richmond, Tom [Parish] arrives from Harper's Ferry with dispatch for General Lee, General Milledge Luke Bonham addresses troops, another spy is shot; on May 31, more troops are gathering below Fort Henry; on June 1, 450 soldiers arrive at daybreak, General Beauregard (Pierre Gustave Toutant) and General Lee come from Richmond, hears that President Jefferson Davis arrived in Richmond May 28, describes in detail battle that morning at Fairfax Court House, two companies of the first regiment of Virginia were involved, 50 of the Confederate riflemen drove back 80 federal troops, the captain of his rifle company was killed with a shot through the heart. On June 2, describes capture of more prisoners; on June 4, more prisoners taken, troops from Georgia pass through on way to Harper's Ferry; on June [5] goes to Bull Run to begin digging entrenchments. The insert letter to brother Billy on May 31 tells of a spy captured by the South Carolina regiment who had a map of encampments. He was convicted and shot.

tells of Generals Beauregard and Lee arriving from Richmond; repeats details of battle that A.M. at Fairfax Court House, and describes throwing up breastworks about his camp.

notes movements of four companies of the first regiment of Virginia companies with two or three cavalry companies moving toward Fairfax Court House; still building breastworks.

(written on freight way bill of the Virginia Central Railroad) - "sending my jug - keep it until I send word to send it"; writes that they have received word to pack baggage.

hard rain; expect to move tents "tomorrow" about four miles below present site "here on Bull Run" to nearer the railroad.

describes being at the post since "a week ago yesterday," and his picket duty, which has been steady; some men ill; a regiment has arrived and camped one mile below on the Run; some soldiers still arriving from Harper's Ferry and other points; tells of staying up all night while on duty and listening to sounds of bull frogs, crickets and "even an owl hoot."

another regiment arrives and stops near his camp; another goes to Charlottesville.

soldiers still arriving; "our soldiers are progressing by degrees toward Alexandria; tells of small fight at Vienna on the Louden & Hamshire Railroad --seven Yankees killed, took forty guns and some provisions.

- learns that 30 of C.S.A. men with small cannon fired on one regiment of [Bellengers] Yankees on train going up the railroad; gives account of supposed number killed at possibly 200

hears that his regiment may leave in the morning for Romney

thinks 8,000 troops are in the vicinity - sent a box with vest, coat and jug "with money to get the best whisky and send it down by the first chance."

arrived yesterday in Centerville where a whole regiment from Albemarle is present; located five miles from the camp on Bull Run; asks that Billy send the whisky and keep his letters

describes Centerville and "houses built before Braddock's defeat;" reflects on movements thus far --"one week on trip to Harper's Ferry; two weeks at Charlottesville; two weeks at Culpeper Court House; two weeks at Manassas Junction, and two weeks at Bull Run; gives an account of his reactions to each place; says troops are drilling hard and that there are eight roads leading from present position; false alarm in camp last night when "some of the fellows were scared out of their senses."

request for shirt and discussion of clothing needs

remarks that the accounting book paper he is writing on should last for some time

three notes with matters pertaining to requests for food and clothing

has been in camp three months; describes daily routine

long letter describing his troop movements and attributes not writing to being pestered by people while on picket duty; tells of recreational activities

this letter is a report of daily activities through July 23--July 17, struck tents and retreated to Bull Run; July 18, fight at Mitchell's field--enemy routed; July 21, general fight with first fire opened on Latham's battery at Lewis Ford--describes fight; July 22, collecting plunder that enemy scattered; July 23, advanced almost to Centreville, describes skirmishing there--"the firing was equal to the panorama of the Russian War"

raining; took about 30 cannon yesterday--18 or 20 rifled canon; "I recon more men engaged in the fight than in the history of the U.S."

extract from Mrs. [Hemans] Works, a long poem which "I altered to fit the times"

wants bread, soda and coffee; describes his cooking efforts

tells of burying the dead, sending Yankee wounded (those well enough to move) to Richmond. Yankees are being buried by Confederates--thinks about 3000 Yankees killed and wounded--600 C.S.A. killed

has been ill and taking laudanum; received orders in the morning to be ready for marching

describes the difference between "standing still to be shot at and not shoot, and rushing up in the fight." He writes: "When the Yankees fired at us, and Latham fired at them, it was as much as the captains could do to keep the men from firing at the Yankee skirmishers. There were 10,000 Yankees in front of us and we kept them back without firing a musket except the cannon which killed 200 if not more."

everything quiet with regards to fighting

after retreat of Yankees, [Burnie] Brown's company went on the battlefield and got as much plunder as they could carry--"it shows what they are--they didn't take any part in the fight at all."

orders to get ready to advance have been rescinded

preparing for picket duty at a hill close to Falls Church, which C.S.A. took possession of last week

reports that when he moved from Centreville he lost all his clothes except those he had on; describes picket duty on Munson's Hill where there is scavenging for corn and potatoes to eat; lines of C.S.A. and Union pickets are 300 to 500 yards from each other--firing all the time--"I could see Yankees very plain." Location is six miles from Alexandria and D.C.

wants to hire a "free" boy to cook for him and asks Billy to find one as "cheap as you can."

going on picket duty again at Mason's Hill--more fighting about four miles this side of Washington

"I would not mind being in camp if it was not a complete waste of time."

came there with a Kentucky regiment the day before--drove back some Yankees

G. Watson Carr is now Lt. Col. (Acting Col.) of the regiment instead of Col. Strange, who is acting commander of the right in Richmond

on guard at Beauregard headquarters

wants sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and butter sent to him

describes escaping being hit by a ball and a small fight at Stone bridge between two Yank companies and his picket

tells of march to 1 mile south of Centreville where the whole force has fallen back

writes about his army life and how he has adapted to it

describes three ladies passing by which caused the band to come out to play for them

reports on the building of chimneys on the tents to make them comfortable

several letters with minutiae

describes a 14' by 16' house they are building which ten soldiers will live in

picket post has been changed

writes about life in the camp, with a description of some ladies who were visiting

plenty of good food as a result of Christmas gifts

reports that he has heard Brig. Gen. [Philip St. George] Cocke has shot himself with a pistol--the "ball entering his head near one ear and coming out the other ear"

wants Bill to hire him another cook

many volunteers reenlisting

snowing, hears heavy firing on the Potomac

"I was taken with mumps last Monday, sent to the hospital at Manassas on Wednesday and started to Richmond yesterday morning--got here last night. If the cars down had not been locked when I got to Gordonsville, I would have gotten out and come to Charlottesville."

asks Bill to see Dr. Cabell in Charlottesville and see if he can get him transferred there from Chimborazo Hospital

is better, still awaiting reply from Dr. Cabell; expects to get a situation at the hospital as an assistant steward under William B. Ward in No. 4 at $30 per month

understands Twyman's request for a transfer but recommends that he write himself to the surgeon-general making this request

describes troop movements through Richmond for Yorktown

hears hospital may be moved to Danville; has been assigned to the clerk's office in division No. 5

hears many reports circulating about killed, wounded and missing in the 19th Va.; excitement in Richmond very great.

describes fighting around Richmond and the hard work of women of the city who are caring for the wounded

gives advice on joining the service

prisoners being brought in every day and many of the sick are dying with typhoid fever

(written on "Confederate" paper) weather very hot; patients dying fast

tells of visit to Richmond where cost of food is exorbitant; reports that in month of June, mortality rate at the hospital was 350; about 3000 patients in the hospital

many wounded gone on furlough; reports return of extreme pain in his side

letter from R.M. Stephens, friend, about fellow soldiers at Chimborazo

tells of "Spooner" leaving his coat with William B. Ward and says he will seee about it as soon as he gets back to the hospital. "I can not get out of the house."

reports on encounter between Jackson and Burnside near the Potomac in which Burnside was solidly beaten.

says he will write to surgeon general asking for transfer of Walker Twyman to hospital in Charlottesville

hears that Walker is thin but mending

hard fighting around Gordonsville, with General Ewell taking 6,000 enemy prisoners and thousands of enemy dead upon the fields; reports that enemy has attacked Beauregard's lines below City of Richmond

discusses law passed by Congress concerning tax certificate

details of a suit in General Court against Richard Broadus and Beverly Broadus [Hiss] on a Judgment and Injunction bond in favor of George Twyman's executors

business matters

provides names of heirs of Agatha Deening for purpose of distributing assets of will of George Twyman

details concerning claim to a tract of land in Albemarle County estate of R.H. Johnston, of which Twyman is executor (includes drawn map of tract)

more requests concerning adequate and proper execution of assets of his grandfather's estates

requests response to earlier letter about settlement of grandfather's estate

concerning the collection of back pay for Walker Twyman (now deceased)

report on inability to pay dividend