Dear Miss- I received yours of the 24 instant just yesterday evening from which I understand with the greatest pleasure that you was well and also the whole of the family, with the whole of the neighbors around you. This leaves me enjoying a perfect good health as it has been the case always. We have had right merry Christmas, we had plenty to eat such as it was and plenty to drink, pretty near the whole of Holloway's company was drunk. The Captain bought about 10 or 15 gallons of liquor and gave it to the company, he was right merry himself. The whole of the 27 regiment was almost drunk even the Colonels, they were drunk too.

The last letter I wrote you I told you that we were under marching orders, but we did not know where to and now that we all got back safe, except one killed out of our Regiment, belonging to the Rockbridge Rifles, and another slightly wounded by a shell belonging to the artillery, I can tell you where we have been. We left this camp on Monday morning at three o'clock and reached the Potomac river on the second day after dark, at the dam number five about ten miles above Williamsport, there we remained for four days breaking the dam in order to dry the water in the Ohio and Chesapeake canal so as to prevent provisions being carried into Washington by that road.

The only time that we could work at it was at night in the darkest so as to keep from being shot from the Yankees from the opposite side of the river. They had full view at us in the day time, we had to descend down on the dam from a high precipice of steep rocks while they on the other side they had a small hill, which was in cultivation, to descend to the dam and had a full view at us. We, in the day time, had to march way from there and go out in the countries where we had a full view of then and then march back again in the night after about seven o'clock. We had left our tents about midway between here and the river, therefore we had no tents to sleep in, neither could we make any fire in the night in order to keep from being seen by the enemy, but we [had] good overcoats and blankets enough to keep from freezing.

There was a great large mill just below the dam, and was burn'd up by the shells thrown in there by the enemy on the second night. A company from our regiment called the Rockbridge Rifles was in the mill guarding those that were working on the dam just as the mill was set a fire from the other side they came out and that was when one of them got killed by a bombshell. They had a narrow path to go through where no more than one at a time could pass and the Yankees were throwing balls as fast as they could at the same time. Some of them remained behind rocks all day and came out at night about ten or fifteen remained there all day and didn't come out till night. I anxious to see the Yankees crept up behind rocks and remained there hid for about an hour and shot several times at the Yankees. After I got tire to stay there I got up and walked off, and as I was going away from my hidden place I believe there was no less than five or six shot at me but none of them hitted me, it was almost too far off to be killed by a ball although there was several of the Yankees shot we could see them laying on the ground and when they were falling.

There was a constant shooting from each side of the river from morning till night, it was no regular battle only for those that wanted to fight could go and take up a position on this side of the river and fire away as much as they wanted. The general came by one evening and looked very much pleased at the boys and said pitch in boys it is a free fight. We killed a good many Yankees and they only killed one of us. After we succeeded in breaking the dam, we came back to our old camp where we now are. It is believed that we shall leave here and go to Romney to have a fight with the Yankees. This is the general belief, that we will march in a day or two and if we go Romney we shall have a hard fight in driving away the enemy from behind their fortifications. They are just now taking a list of all the cartridges we have in order to give us a full supply and march us off to Romney. I have a heap more to tell you but I haven't time to do it for we have to go out on a general review. So goodbye. I send you my likeness also. So Goodbye. John Garibaldi

To Miss Sarah A.V. Poor Write to me as soon as you get this and direct your letter where you did the last one.

Written from "Camp Stevenson," Virginia. Letter regards Chirstmas celebrations, and the breaking of a dam "in order to dry the water in the Ohio and Chesapeake canal so as to prevent provisions being carried into Washington by that road."

Written near Winchester, Virginia. Letter concerns the Romney Campaign.

Camp Near Winchester Va. January 28, 1862

Dear Sir: I take this favorable opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will reach you may find you enjoying the same. I received your little box that you send me yesterday, with two pair of gloves, a vest and a pair of socks. I sold the vest for three dollars and a half. I had bought me a vest last Christmas in Winchester and therefore I didn't need it and sold a pair of gloves for one dollar and a half. I kept a pair of gloves and the pair of socks for myself.

We arrived here on the 25 from Romney and don't know how long we shall remain. We were under marching orders this morning but the order was countermanded on account of the weather which was raining very hard this morning. We don't know how long we shall stay here now; we may stay here few days longer. We were going about 4 miles from here to build shanties for the winter. We had a hard march during the whole time. We left Camp Stevenson on the New Years Day early in the morning, and took up our line of march to Bath the county seat of Morgan County.

On the fourth day after our departure, there was a fight expected with the yankees who were 1,400 strong, but there was not much of a fight. Our militia had a little fight with them and there was twenty killed and wounded in our militia. We don't know how many there was killed and wounded on the north side. The volunteers didn't shoot a gun. They didn't even see the yankees. The militia was put in front and we, the volunteers behind, to support them. Our forces consisted of about fourteen thousand, the yankees at the hearing of our approach ran away and did not make any stand. They left behind them two cannons but they spiked them before they left them. They left behind them also the right smart army [sto--], about forty thousand dollars worth. Before we left Bath we destroyed two or three bridges on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and tored up right smart track.

After that we took up our line of march to Romney, but the road was so bad that our wagons couldn't keep up and we had to wait on them for four days at the distance of about 14 miles from Bath, and after our wagons got up we started again and reached Romney on the fourth day. The yankees that were in Romney left also on double quick so that we volunteers had no fight at all except few of our cavalry and the militia. The Yankees in leaving Romeny left behind them about five hundred barrels of crackers, a large quantity of flour, clothing, ammunition, and good many other things from there. After we been there four or five days we took our line of march toward Winchester, which we reached on the third day.

Here we are now camped for two or three days and we may go away tomorrow or after tomorrow but we will not go very far. We are just going three or four miles from here to build our winter quarters and threr we shall remain for the balance of the winter and have no more marches for this winter. I'll have time to write to you oftner than I did before. The Captain is at home on a furlow and he has all my money. If I had some with me I would send you ten dollars, but the Captain's furlow will soon be out and he'll come back. I will get some money and send it to you.

We had a march of twenty five days. We suffered right smart cold weather during that time, for good many had no tent and they had to lay out on the wet over snow beds and snow falling at the same time. Good many took sick and never will get better. They are dying nine or ten almost every day. There is about three hundred in the hospital belonging to our brigade, the whole of them got sick by the exposure of the weather. Thank goodness I have stood up very well and never got sick yet. I was on every march, and did my duty as well as any soldier ever did. I feel very well, only I have a little cough.

Bath is now in posession of our militia and Romney is now protected by about eight thousand volunteers, partly Virginians, South Carolinians, and some from Arkansas. My candle is nearly out and I must quit writing for tonight. So good night Dear Sarah. Good night sleep well. I hope I will see by and by.

January 30

Having some what leisure time this morning to finish my letter, I thought it fit to finish it off and send it to you. We left that Camp in the next morning and marched about six miles to a place where we will remain for the balance of the winter here. We are going to build shanties to live in. As we were going to Romney we passed where the Yankees had been and I saw near all the houses had been burned up by them. The hogs stuck with the bayonet, some shot the cattle, and the sheep were treated like wise. As we were coming from Romney by another road altogether, we met with an equal destruction.

They killed an old shoemaker, and then burned him up in his house. At another place again they killed another man, who had a wife and three or four small children, and afterward they set fire to the house driving his wife and children out of the door. The lady tried to go in the house to try to take out some furniture in order to keep it from burning, but they would not let her so that every thing was burned up, with the corpse of her husband. As we were coming by some found some of his bones in pieces and they put them in their pocket as a relic. As soon as that woman saw our brigade coming she began to cry thinking that may be we were yankees.

Dear Miss, I could come home for two months on a furlow by reenlisting for two years longer, for nobody can get any furlow any more unless he reenlist for two years or during the war. But I don't think I will for I have only three months and a half to stay now and then our time will be out, and I don't intend to volunteer any more. I shall belong to the militia myself for I see that the militia don't have so much hard ship to go thru as the volunteers have, and they are getting the same wages and the same kind of rations, and they have more liberty than we. Only the militia has to make the first attack on the enemy, and then the volunteers come in at the last. So I think I'll come and stay at home untill they draft me. Good many have already reenlisted and are gone home on furlow. I shall finish my letter by giving you my best respects and to all of the family also and remain your affectionate lover untill death. John Garibaldi.

To Miss Sarah A. W. Poor Enclose you will find four envelops with postage stamps on. The name of this Camp is Zollicoffer I think. I haven't quite understood it [quite] well yet but I will tell you the Name of it better some other time. You will please write to me as soon as this comes to hands and direct your letter to Winchester Va. Care of Captain L. T. Hollowy. 27th Reg. Va. Vols.

Written from "Camp near Bunker Hill," West Virginia. Letter regards life in camp.

Camp near Bunker Hill, October 24, 1862

Dear Wife With these few line I wish to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands, may find you enjoying the same blessings. I arrived here yesterday morning safe. We had to walk from Staunton to this place, about one hundred and fifteen miles distant. It is the general opinion of the men and officers that we shall not stay here long, that we shall either advance again into Maryland or retreat back up the Valley on account that we are too far from any railroad branch, and can't get [means] for transportation. There is no yankee of any amount on this side of the Potomac.

I haven't any news to tell you at this time. I haven't been in the camp long enough to learn any. The boys here are as lively as crickets, just as lively as if it was in time of peace, or as if they were at home. There is thirty four men in our compnay fit for duty. Our company makes up near half of the regiment, it is no more than a good company the whole regiment. They nearly all deserted or went home on a French. There is some few sick and wounded but not many. There was only twelve in the Battle of Sharpsburg in Maryland out of our regiment. The balance remained behind, and the most of them never went across the river. Patrick [Hai----], that use to work up on the mountain is dead. He was wounded in the late battle of Manassas in one of his knees and died.

Every thing is quiet here in the Camp. Dear I could not even buy me a sheet of paper in Winchester to write to you. There is none to be bought. The boys are writing on paper that they have captured on the battle field. When ever you write to me you must send me a blank sheet of paper in your letter. The boys say that we shall soon have our pay and if so, I will send you some. Dear I would like to see you, and feel lonesome for you. Give my best respects to mother, Russia, [illegible] and to all the enquiring friends. So nothing more at present but to reamin you affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi.

Written from "Camp Allen, Clarke County," Virginia. Letter regards camp life, payday, and rumors of enemy movements.

Camp Allen, Clarke County, VA. November 2, 1862

Dear Wife With this opportunity I set myself down to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that when these few lines will come to hand may find you enjoying the same blessing. I thought I set down this morning to write you these few lines in order to tell you where and how to direct your answers, being that I think I forgot it on my last letter. It is very hard to get paper to write, envelops or postage stamps either. I couldn't a postage stamp in the company and I had to tear a leaf off an old book in order to write you this letter and I am bound to send it without prepayment.

We are soon to have a pay day, and I have about one hundred and fifty dollars of which, if I can get a chance, I want send you one hundred and thirty, and if I don't get chance to send them to you I intend to take a French furlow and fetch them home myself if I can.

I have no news whatever to write to you now. Everything is peacable in the camp, but I don't know how long it will remain so. There has been cannonading heard this morning in the direction of Harpers Ferry, and it is said that the enemy is crossing large force over the Potomac. We don't get chance to see any newspaper at all and have no news to tell you at present. You must write to me as often as you can for I am very glad to hear from you at all times. Dear I am lonesome for you and would like to be with you, but I hope that the Lord will spare my life long enough to come home again and to see peace restored once more in our country. But there ain't much sign of peace now for I heard the cannons whilst I am writing. The following shall be the dirction with which you shall send me your letter. Mr. John Garibaldi 27th Va. Regt. Company C. Care of Captain C. L. Haynes First Brigade Jackson's Division

Nothing more at present but to remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi.

To Sarah A. Garibaldi. Give my best respects to the whole of the family. I haven't been able to see George yet.

Written from "Camp Bailor." Letter regards orders to prepare to march and general family news.

Camp Bailor. November 20th 1862

Dear Wife With these few lines I come to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they will find you enjoying the same blessings.

Having somewhat time to spare now and thinking that we are going to have some long march, for we have just received orders to cook a day's ration and be ready to march in the morning by day light, therefore I may not have time to write to you any more for some time. I thought I better write this present in order to let you know that I am well. I have written you three letters and this makes the fourth one and yet I have not received any answer for them and in my last one I have enclosed five dollars and would like to know whether you received them or not.

Please write to me and don't care how often you do write if it is twice a week I'll be very glad to receive them, for nothing will satisfie me but to hear from you. You are the only one that I care for in this world, and I expect that I am the only one that you care for too. Let us not therefore abandon each other, let not distance be the cause of our forgetfulness. Little did we get to stay together but I hope that, if God wills, we shall reunite ourselves together, again, never to be parted except by death and I hope that we shall never forsake the hour in which we were united together by ties of matrimony, that we shall lead a happy life together and agreeable as it becomes two married people. A day is not passing without thinking of the one I left behind.

Dear We were paid out about three weeks ago and I received one hundred and fifty dollars and wish that I could put them in your hands. You said that you'd think yourself rich if you had one hundred dollars in pocket and I wish I could satisfie you to give them to you. To send them in a letter I don't like to trust, so that I shall have to wayt an opportunity to send them to you by hands, or untill I come home myself.

Dear I must tell you that I was appointed Sergeant here lately, my pay is now seventeen dollars per month. George Gilbert Was Sergnt himself but was broken on account of his straggling out from the company without permission, as we were marching through Winchester, and stayed away four or five days. David Gilbert was Corporal and was broken from his office for the same offence. John Hepler is Corporal now in place of David Gilbert himself. There was sever other noncommissioned officers from our company broken for the same offence.

There is some talk about us going back to Camp Zollicoffer where we made our winter quarters last winter, and we will then be stationed in our old shanties that we built last winter. Dear Give my best respects to mother, Russian, Isiah, Sale, and Mary and to all the neighbors. If there is any furlow given this winter I shall get one, for I am entitle to it and come home and stay, and we shall enjoy ourselves ittle more. Dear thre some little talk of peace about the camp, some thinks that next spring will bring peace and we shall all then come home and rejoin our wives once more. Dear I can't get no postage stamps in Winchester. They thought that we were going to evacuate the place and they send them all away so that I can not pay for the letters that I am sending you, but as soon as I can get any I shall commence to pay for the letter. Dear I have no news to tell you now. I shall just end my letter by wishing you all the good that the world can afford you and try to take good care for yourselves so nothing more at present, but remain your affectionate husband untill death John Garibaldi

Write to me as soon as you get this letter and direct your letters all the time to Mr. John Garibaldi, Comapny C., 27th Va. Regt.

Enclose you will find two dollars which you will keep and make use of it as necessity requires you.

To Mrs. Sarah A.V. Garibaldi.

Dear you must write to me at least once a week so good by Dear Wife.

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter regards finances and general news.

Camp Winder January 4, 1863

Dear Wife: With these few lines I hope to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hand will find you enjoying the same blessing. I received three letters from you since I have been with the company and have been awaiting the fourth one but I haven't seen it yet. I hastened therefore to write this present one and to tell you to send me one and don't care whether you either write it or buy me one and send it to me so I may get a letter from you.

I have send you sixty seven dollars since I have been in the Company and would like to know whether you received it or not. I have more to send you but would like to know if you got that I send you before I send you any more. I send fifty dollars enclosed in a letter to Mr. Pursinger by Mr. Lamby just few days before Christmas which I hope you shall have received before this time. You now can buy yourself a cow if you see one that suits you and if Mother is going to sell that little colt you can buy it too provide you can keep him.

I do not know when I shall get chance to come home. It may be that I'll be able to come home but I think it very doubtful. There is no chance for any furlow at present and I don't know when there will be any. There is a heap talk of peace now in the north, but I wouldn't put no dependence in them. But after while I think they'll get tire to get whipt and they will then give us up for a bad joke but that may not be for a good while.

I have not much to tell you at this time. I wrote to you day before Christmas and told you all the news I knew then about the battle. I have written to MackPherson, to old man [A---] and to Pursinger several times since the battle. [illegible] soon have another pay day. Dear you must write to me as often as you can and beg to take good care for yourself until I come home and stay with you and I hope that we shall never forget the hour in which we were joined together but that bless the day on which you and I were joined together with the ties of Matrimony. I shall quit writing by just remind you to write to me and wish you all the good that the world can afford you and remain your affectionate husband untill death, John Garibaldi

To Mrs. Sarah A. V. Garibaldi

Direct your letter to Mr. John Garibaldi Company C 27th Regt. Va. Vols. Stonewall first Virginia Brigade Care of Captain Charles L. Wagner.

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter regards money sent by mail and general news.

Camp Winder Paxton's Brigade January 18, 1863

Dear Wife: I received your kind and affectionate letter of the fourth instant from which I understood with pleasure that you and the house hold was all well. I would have written to you sooner, but I was on Picket when I received it and had therefore no chance to answer. We came back last night late and I thought I would answer it today.

I received them two pair of socks that you send me by Lee H.B. Terry which I was very glad to receive and stood in need of. Now the next thing I like you to do by the next opportunity offered it is to send me some black and white thread if you can get it anywhere and some hard soap as we can't get any anywhere.

I have only received four letters from you since I have been with the Company and have heard that you have only received four from me, but if I have written four letters I have written a dozen of them. In one of them I have enclosed five dollars in another two dollars in another ten dollars and in another fifty dollars. I have heard that you have received the five dollars the two dollars and the fifty dollars but don't hear anything about the ten dollars. You will please to write to me and tell whether you have received the ten dollars or not. I would send you some more but I am afraid to send them in a letter. But if Henry Gilliland is coming on a furlow which I expect he will do before long I will by him. I have applied for one myself but I don't know whether I will get it yet or not. Perhaps I will get one before the winter is over, but it will only be for fifteen days furlow.

I have no news to tell you at this time but to tell you that this leaves me well and hope that when these few lines will come to hand they may find you enjoying the same state of health and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Direct your letter to Mr. John Garibaldi Company C, 27th Regt. Va. Vols. Stonewall Brigade, Taliaferro's Division, Jackson's Corps

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter mentions that unit is under marching orders and general news.

Camp Winder Paxton's Brigade January 27, 1863

Dear Wife: With these few lines I wish to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands may find you enjoying the same state of health. I have written to you week before last in response to the one that you send me by Lee A.B. Terry, for which I haven't yet, received any answer. Dear you must write to me often for I would like to hear from you every week, for I feel lonesome enough and my getting no letter from you makes me more lonesome still; you will please therefore to write to me weekly if you want please me. I have written to you about a douzen of letters and haven't received but four letters yet.

I have some money to send you but I am afraid to risk it in this letter. The next safe opportunity I will get I shall send you sixty dollars again. If you see a cow worth buying you may buy it provide that mother has feed enough to keep her and if she wants to sell her little coult you can buy it too, and give her the price that she would get from anybody else.

Dear I have no news to tell you at this time, only that we all are enjoying as good health as we ever did. We haven't had any snow here yet, the first snow I have seen this winter it was after we had crossed the blue ridge in coming from the valley, and it didn't stay on the ground twenty four hours but we didn't have any snow here yet, on the contrary is warm enough here now, to go on our shirt sleeves, and it has been so all the time for nearly the whole of this month. But we have had right smart rain here in this month and when it wasn't rayning, it was clear and pretty weather, and warm.

We are under marching orders all the time. We are keeping a day's ration cooked ahead all the time and last night was renewed again, we were expecting to march away from here this morning but we are here yet, and it may be that we will stay here yet for weeks, and it may be that we will have to leave here in an hour from now, so that you see we don't know anything about it. It depend altogether upon the movement of the enemy. The prospects are good here for another fight, the yankees are making appearance before Fredericksburg some time but it is not known whether they are in for good or not, although the papers says that they have already crossed the river but it is northern news, and it aint so, for we haven't saw anything of them yet, but it is the general belief among the camp that they will not try to cross here anymore. The troops are removed from here little at time to other fields, and it may be that the next fight will be somewhere else.

You must send me little soap by the next chance you get, (hard soap I mean) we have to pay dollar per pound here and can't get it at that. You will please to send me little thread black and white if you please, provide you can get it. I have nothing more to tell you at present, but to remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Please direct to Mr. John Garibaldi Company C 27th Regt. Va. Vols., care of Captain C.L. Haynes Stonewall Paxton's Brigade, Taliaferro's Division, near Fredericksburg.

Let this direction be a permanent one untill I tell you to direct your letters some where else.

Mrs Sarah A.V. Garibaldi By the Politeness of Miss Georgeanne Lockheart

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter concerns sending of money and supplies.

Camp Winder February 26, 1863

Dear Wife: I take this opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to inform you that I am well and hope that when these few lines will reach you may find you enjoying the same blessings. As Henry Gilliland is coming home on a furlough I thought I would send you these few lines although I have written you letter by mail in the begining of this week, and send you another by Lieutenant Clark last week and send you fifty dollars . Whenever you write to me I want you to tell me whether you received it or not the last letter that I received from you was dated the 26 of January. You said that you was going to send me a comfort by somebody but I have one so you need not send it to me.

I have nothing to tell you at this time. I want you to send me some black and white thread and some red peper if you have any. The fifty dollars that I send you by Lieutenant Clark they were enclosed in a letter directed to you and in care of Lee Pursinger. I told him that if he has no time to fetch it to Pursinger himself to leave it with Gilly [J---] or with [McCordy] in Covington and to tell them to give it to Pursinger whenever they get chance. I have nothing more to tell you at present but tell you that I remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

To his wife

Give my best respects to mother Sisters and brothers

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter regards money, supplies, and family news.

Camp Winder Paxton's Brigade March 24, 1863

Dear Wife: With these few lines I come to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that when these few lines will come to hand they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I received your letter, that you send me by Henry Gilliland, from which I understood with sorrow that Isaiah and Sala had departed from this world. I had heard that Isaiah was so sick that it was [un]likely he would recover in one of your last letters, but you thought that Sala would get better therefore I did not expect that Sala would die. I am very sorry of all that but my sorrow wouldn't prevail anything. You must try to take care of yourself and do the best you can.

I have send you twenty dollars by Mr. [Gordy] when he left here and have never heard anything of it so whenever you write you must let me know something about and also of them fifty dollars that I have send you by Clark. I have received some cakes, some thread and some red pepper that you have sended me by Henry Gilliland. You said that you send me some more soap by the next chance you will get but I must tell you that I have plenty soap now and I don't want anything at present, it is likely that we shall march by and by and I want be as light as possible for I expect we shall have hard time yet before the war will be over.

Johnson Boyar send me a cake sugar by Henry Gilliland. I have not much news to tell you now. You will give my best respects to Miss Sarah Johnson and to Mr. Pursinger. You must write to me oftner if you can. I was in hope of getting a furlow but they have stopped giving them now and there is no more chance of my coming home now untill next winter unless we are all discharged and peace made before that time. I could have got one if Mr. Evans had come back as soon as his was out but he stayed about nine days after his time was out and when he came back there was no more furloes to be recommended so I was out of my furlow, but I hope that we will have peace before next winter and we shall all come home and remain for good.

Give my best respects to George and tell him that he must write to me. Give my best respects to Mother and [Russia] L. also and tell them to take good care of themselves. So nothing more at present but to remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi Write as soon as you get this and direct your letters as you use to do

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter vocies that the spring campaign will begin soon and furloughs are suspended.

Camp Winder March 29, 1863

Dear Wife: As we are on the eave of a march and the commencement of the spring campaign I thought it better to write you this letter in order to let you know that I am yet in this camp and well, but every indication seems that we are on the verge of move as we had order to pack up all our extra bagages that we can not carry on our shoulder and send it away to Richmond. The days are getting long and the weather dryer and it shall soon pleasant enough to admit of active movement. I might not have time to write to you as regular as I have done, but you must write to me steadier, and not await to write to me untill you get a letter from me, but just write to me as often as it will be convenient to you. It has been long time since I haven't received a letter from you by mail, don't be too stinger in saving writing paper. This is leaving me well at present except a bad cold and hope that when these few lines will come to hand they may find you enjoying the same good health that you was enjoying when I last saw you.

Although there is a heap of talk about fighting, I think that there wouldn't be as much fighting this summer as there was last summer. There may be a fight or two here and if we whip them I think they give it up provide we don't go to Maryland. But if we go there I think we shall some tall fighting to do. This winter they intended to do active operations with there navy but they have been idle all the winter. The biggest navy ever was witnessed went to threaten Charleston but having arrived to the place of operation they paused and hesitated before the harbor as if they was afraid of attacking it and they have never attacked Charleston yet, and if they don't make an attack within two or three weeks from now I doubt very much whether it ever will be attacked or not, the reason of this is that they have been whipped so often that they are afraid to be whipped again.

The furloughs have been suspended for the present and it is very likely that there will not be any more granted untill next winter, but I hope that by that time we shall have peace and that we shall all come home to stay with our families never to be divided any more unless by death. Dear you must tell me whether you have received the money that I send you or not. I send you 50 dollars by Lieutenant Clark and when he come home on furlough, and twenty dollars by Mr. McCordy afterward of which I haven't heard anything of it. Dear, if there is anybody administering on Captain Holloway's Estate, you must give that account that I left you to Pursinger and let him make the best of it and get the money if he can.

Dear whenever I come home I will try to fetch you something but I don't know what it will be. If you want anything particular you must write to me about, and if my purse shall contain enough to buy it with I shall be happy to please you, but every thing is so high now that it almost take fortune to buy any thing. At the same time if you may make use of the money that I have send you if you see anything worth buying, and make use of it.

Give my respects to Mrs. Sarah Johnson and to all the neighbors around you. To Mr. Pursinger also and keep a [illegible] for yourself, mother Russia and George if this shall come to hand before he shall have gone back to the army and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death John Garibaldi Still direct you letters as you allways did. So Good by.

Written from "Camp Winder." Letter regards an increase in wages and that the unit is preparing to move.

Camp Winder April 14, 1863

Dear Wife: I take this opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hand they may find you enjoying the same state of health. I have written three or four letters since Henry Gilliland come home for which I haven't yet received any answer, neither can I tell the falt that keeps me from getting letters from you. If you are out papers you will please write to me and I will send you a blank sheet every time I write. You will please to write me every week weather you get any letters from me or not, and that is the I am doing too wether I get letters or not I write every week. You will please to tell me whether you have received them fifty dollars that I have send you by Clark or not and the twenty dollars that I have sended you by Mr. McCordy the next time you write. If I get chance I shall send you some more money during the next month.

Our wages have been increased four dollars per month and at that rate I am getting twenty one dollars per month. That is to comence the first of January, which it will make it sixteen dollars of extra wages due us by the first of May. We shall be paid off again in the begining of May and there will be fifty dollars due me by that time, and if I get chance to send them to you I shall send you some money during next month, for I don't care about keeping much money with me.

Dear We have been expecting to move from here for more than a weak but we haven't moved yet and I can't tell you how long we shall remain here but I don't [think] we shall stay in this camp much longer provide the weather will keep as drie as it does now, at least that is the general opinion among private soldiers and officers. We have been preparing to move for sometime. We have send away our extra bagages for about two weaks, and only kept with us a blanket an overcoat and a change of clothes. Whenever we shall go on a march the officers shall have to carry their knapsacks on their backs just like we common soldiers. They were drawing knapsacks from the commissary to day to put their clothes in.

Dear I have no news to tell you now of any importance. You must try to take a good care of yourself. Give my best respects to Mother and Russia and to the neighbors and keep a shear {share} for yourself and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Still direct your letters to Mr. John Garibaldi, Company C, 27th Va. Care of Captain C.L. Haynes, Stonewall Brigade, Trimbles' Division Near Fredericksburg

Letter voices that the unit is drawn up in line of battle and is expecting a fight tomorrow.

April 30, 1863

Dear Wife: I take this opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same state of health. You will excuse the pencil writing as I am now in place where ink is too inconvenient to be procured. We are now in the battle field where the cannons are firing over us and I expect that tomorrow we shall have a general engagement.

I received your truly welcome letter of the 19th instant from which I understood that you and mother and Russia and I was very glad to hear from you. I have no news to tell you at present only that we are in the battle field drawn up in line of battle this evening and that the cannons began to roar this evening. How we will come out I am not able to tell you, but I hope that we will be able to whip them. I shall quit writing by giving you my best respects and remain your affectionate husband until death. John Garibaldi

Give my best respects to mother Russia Lucinda Bush Sarah Johnson to Mr. and Mrs. Pursinger and to all the enquiring friends and keep a shear {share} for yourself. So good by.

Letter regards the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia.

May 9, 1863

Dear Wife: I take this blessed oppurtunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessing. I have written you a letter the last day of April with a pencil because I had no other way to write it and I hope that you have received it and will write to me every time you get chance.

Dear I must tell you that we have been engaged in a hot battle since I last wrote to you and with the help of God I came out safe but out of about forty of our company that went in to the fight last Sunday there was only about thirty came out safe.

Dear I must tell you that Lee A.B. Terry got wounded in wrist. There was six hundred and fifty odd killed out of our brigade and wounded. Our brigade went into battle twice, and the second time charged over the yankee brest works and ran the yankees away from there. Men fell on both side of me and if it had not been that God was with me I believe I'd fell too. I saw a man at my left hand who was shot in the face and when he fell he grabbed me by the legs and I got loose from him by jurking away from him. I expect he wanted me to help him out of the battle field but it was against my order to do it because there was men detailed for that purpose. In that fight I got me a portfolio full of writing paper and envelops which I needed badly and an oil cloth coat, our boys are now well supplied of oil cloths.

We got in the rear of the yankees saturday and we were fighting nearly all night saturday and all Sunday. We got thirty pieces of artillery. I can't tell you how many small arms but we have got any number of them. There was yankee knapsacks enough left on the ground to supply our whole army. The blankets were laying there in piles and were trampelled over by our men in the mudd. I never saw so much waste of property in my life. The enemy was laying behind their breastworks sunday morning with their knapsacks off and blankets and when they saw us coming they ran away leaving every thing behind them.

We are now encamped in the wood here close to Fredericksburg but we don't know how long we shall remain here. It is believed by good many that we shall have another battle before long, but I hope that we shall have some rest now for a while for we have been laying out in battlefields and without tents for nearly ten days and during that time we haven't had a whole night of sleep and been laying all the time under arms. The enemy is now across the river and I don't know how long he shall remain there.

I have giving you some account of the sunday battle but I expect you shall have heard of it before this [letter] will come to hands and perhaps you shall have heard some fuller accounts than I have given you because them around the battle field not actually ingaged generally knows more about the battle than them that were engaged in it. If my head was right for wrighting you some thing about the battle I might perhaps tell you something more but as I don't [feel] enclined on account of their being such noise in it as I heard in the battle field. But if as soon as I get chance I shall write you again and tell you something more about the battle.

Dear I must tell you that {I saw}George Poor before and after the battle and he was well and he came out safe of the battle, and he sends you all his best respects. I hadn't time to speak to him long. I saw him Friday evening before the battle and only had time to shake hands with him. Then I saw him again tuesday after the battle and hadn't time to speak to him long then as we were ordered off again immediately, but he told me he was well, and came out safe of the battle field and he sends you all his best respects. You must write to me soon and direct your letter as you did before.

Mr. John Garibaldi, care of Captain C.L. Haynes Company C 27th Va. Infantry Stonewall Brigade Near Fredericksburg

John R. Hepler sends you all his best respects and he is well. I shall finish off writing by giving you to mother and Russia my best repects and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi.

Written "near Fredericksburg," Virginia. Letter regards the Battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia and the death of General Stonewall Jackson.

Camp Near Fredericksburg Va. May 11, 1863

Dear Wife: Having somewhat leisure time to write to you this beautiful monday evening I will seat myself down to write you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I have written you a letter last weak but not knowing whether you received it or not I thought I would write you this present one, as I have chance to send it to Covington by Mr. Lamby.

We have had some very hard time begining from the 29 of last month up to the about the six of May. On the 29th of last month we left our winter quarters on account of the enemy having crossed the Rappahannock and marched up to Hamilton's crossing about eight miles distant. There we slept two nights in a wheat field. It rained nearly all the time and we were to lay out and take it. On the first of May, in the morning, having learned that the enemy, or part of it, had crossed higher up the river about thirty miles, and was marching down on the Fredericksburg plank road, aiming to flank the crest of hills surrounding Fredericksburg, our division and some other divisions with it started up the river on the plank road on which the enemy was coming down and slept that {there} on the battle field where the enemy had been repulsed by the advance of our army. The next morning we started again, and mile or two brought us up in front of the enemy. There we halted for about an hour, and afterward left the main road and took a small county road to left, we marched about twelve miles leaving the enemy at our right, and got in the rear in the evening at about two or three o'clock, where the yankees didn't expect us to attack them.

There the fighting commenced. One of our division took the front and drove the enemy for about two or three miles, drove the yankees out of their breastworks but fortunately for us that them breastworks were not made to defend themselves in the rear, but they were made to defend themselves in front where the enemy expected us to attack them, they took several batteries and good many prisoners.

They made several charges on us during Saturday night but they were repulsed all the time and we took that night a whole brigade and their general prisoners. We spended the whole of Saturday night drawn up in line of battle and changing positions. Sunday morning found our Brigade drawn in line of battle in as very thick bushes and small timber at the enemy's right, and at about day light, or may be little after, they commenced cannonading over our head and it looked like that they had commenced early in the morning just for a day's work, but fortunately for us that their balls [and] shells went all over our heads, and none of our Brigade got killed in that place that I have heard.

At about eight o'clock the enemy moved all his infantry forces on our right in order to overpower us and [cut] their way through us and commenced the firing of small arms, and we were then moved to the right where the enemy was presing the most, and there we were engaged twice. The first time we were engaged we lost our Brigadier General, and in about 15 minutes we were ordered to fall back and then we fell back behind the breastworks behind which the enemy had been dislodged by our sharpshooters about fifteen or twenty minutes before. And while we were thus laying behind them breastworks which were built by the enemy the night previous General Stuart rode by and our Brigade gave them three cheers, and he then told us to advance.

We then went in again and ran the enemy for about a quarter of a mile and ran them out of two lines of entrenchments, but without no little loss, we took several pieces of cannons, some prisoners and several artillery horses. Out of twenty two hundred of our Brigade there was six hundred and twelve killed and wounded, and out of about thirty five out of our company there was nine killed and wounded. Our orderly Sergeant was killed dead on the battle field. His name was William Scanlon. He was an Irishman and a good Soldier who had been through all the war of Mexico and was a very steady soldier. Another one, a little fellow who came as a substitute [illegible] by the name of John Archy was mortally wounded in the head and died two or three days after. William Evans was wounded somewhere above the knee and it is feared that he will not live. Another fellow by the name of Caleb Griffith was wounded in the nexk, but he is going about and there is no danger of him. James H. Forbes was wounded in the arm but it is thought that he will get better. Isaac Reynolds was wounded somewhere in the leg and he is going about. Lee A. B. Terry was wounded in the wrist but he will get better, and I expect that he is come home and he'll tell you the same news I do. Colonel James K. Edmondson of our regiment had his army cut off.

General T. J. Jackson died day before yesterday at about one o'clock in the afternoon. He did not die on account of his wound, he die of the newmony {pneumonia}. He was wounded early on the Saturday night the second of May, it is said by our men. When the enemy was making them charges on us he accidently or some how or other happened to be between our men and the enemy in one of them charges with several other Generals, and they rode toward our lines. At the approach of the enemy and of his musketry and our men hearing such noise through the bushes thought it was the enemy's cavalry and they fired into them wounding two Generals and a Colonel.

Yesterday there was an escort of honor of about two hundred and fifty detailed out of our Brigade to accompany General Jackson's corpse to Richmond and I was one among them, but before we could march down to Guinea Station about eight miles distant from our camp, the remains of our General had been removed on the Rail Road and so we were about an hour too late.

We took about ten thousand yankee prisoners, thirty pieces of Artillery and about forty thousand stands of small arms. There is no end to the knapsacks that the enemy left behind him on the battle field, there was knapsacks enough I believe to supply our whole army. They principally full of crackers and they came to play pretty well with us as our rations ran out the day before. They had eight days of provisions with them, they had brought not much clothing with them only a change of underclothes, [and] their portofolios full of writing paper and envelops to write letters at home after the battle, and their pen and ink. All that I did get is a portfolio with paper and envelops in it, some yankee postage stamps, some crackers, a pair of clean new drawers, some ink and an oil cloth coat. Our men have now plenty of oil clothes, and fear rain no more. After our men had done picked up all the oil clothes and blankets and overcoats there was any quantity still left on the ground tramped in the mud.

Our whole loss was estimated at eight thousand. The battle is now over for the present and we are now encamped stationary for a while resting but we don't know how long we shall remain here. It is believed that the enemy will try some where else before long and if he did seek refuge across the Rappahannock, it is believed he will make his appearance again as balloon has been seen now for two days in succession, viewing this side of the river.

Mr. Lamby is here now and he is now going to start so I will finish my writing by giving you my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill death, John Garibaldi.

Give my best respects to elder Lee Pursinger and you might let him read this letter just for information sake. Enclosed you will find two or three yankee postage stamps just for you keepsake.

Write to me as soon as you get this and direct your letters as you did before. I saw George Poor after the fight and he wasn't hurt but I hadn't time to speak to him long. He sends you all his best respects. So Good by.

Written from "Camp near Hamilton Station." Letter regards general news.

Camp Near Hamilton Station. May 28, 1863

Dear Wife I take this opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I have written you three letters since the late battle and this makes the fourth for which I haven't yet received any answer. I am awayting for an answer from you almost every day but that answer never came yet. You must write to me often if you are able if it is twice a weak.

We are now encamped here behind Fredericksburg and have been here since the battle but don't know how long we shall yet remain here but I don't think we shall remain here long, for I have heard that Longstreet's forces have had orders to cook three days rations and be ready to march in a moment's warning.

I am sending you this letter by hand as Mr. Raynolds is here now from Alleghany and he is going to start back tomorrow. I will give it to him, and I think he is the shorest mail yet. I have no news to write to you at present. You will direct your letter to John Garibaldi Co. C., 27th Regt. Va. Inft, Stonewall Brigade, Johnson's Divison.

Just after I had sealed up my letter Mr. Pursinger arrived here just from Alleghany and I thought I would send you this letter by him and twenty five dollars with it. I shall send also by him two neck comforts. Write to me soon and don't wait for letters untill you write because the letters don't come safe. I wrote to you three letters here lately, send them by mail and you haven't received any.

John Hepler is well. Thomas Arrington is well also and he is with the company doing duty. They both send their best respects to you. Give my best respects to Mrs. Sarah Johnson. I received the letter that you sended me by Mr. Pursinger and was glad to learn that you mother and Russia was well. Give them my best respects and keep a good share for yourself and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

To Mrs Sarah A.V.P. Garibaldi.

Written from "Camp Paxton." Letter voices that the unit has received marching orders.

Camp Paxton. June 3, 1863

Dear Wife I take this opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

We have received marching orders today and don't know when I will get chance to write you another. We just cooked three days rations and put them in the haversacks and we are now ready to march at a moments warning. It may be that we'll start this evening, or tonight or wait till tomorrow morning but that we are going to commence an active campaign. It is the belief of every body in the army, and it may be that we will take another trip into Maryland before the summer shall end.

I haven't much news to tell you at this time. I wrote to you by Lee Pursinger and sended you twenty five dollars, and told you all the news I knew. I send home also a dozen of yankee envelops with stamps on it and two comforts which I had [no] use of them with me. You will please to send me little soap next chance you get as we can't get any of it here of any amount. You will please to write to me oftner than you do and direct your letter as you always did. I shall finish my letter by giving you my best respects and also to Mother and Sister Russia and to all my enquiring friends and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

to Sarah Garibaldi

Written from "Camp Stephenson, Frederick County," Virginia. Letter regards the a battle in Winchester, Virginia.

Camp Stephenson, Frederick County, Va. June 16, 1863

I take this blessed opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well and hope when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

I will tell you know that I survived another storm and that it pleased God to let me come out unhurt from the battle field. We have now here in the valley about forty thousand men, the corps of Lieutenant General Ewell, and what is the object for taking us here I am not able to tell you. I know that it wasn't necessary to take opposite of forty thousand men here to whip and take seven or eight thousand yankees.

We arrived here in the valley and in the vicinity of Winchester last Saturday and surrounded the town. General Rode's Division went down to Martinsburg to cut off their reinforcement who, upon being attacked by the yankee reinforcement whipped them back and captured all their ordnance train. Sunday morning we drew closer around Winchester, that is our Division and Early's Division, and toward Sunday evening got our artillery in position and began to bombard their fortifications, but too well fortified to charge on their fortifications but we could have taken them with a heavy loss, so the commander of our corps General Ewell left a gap open thinking that they will try to get out during the night and thus make its escape, and he fell on the right plan. During Sunday night the yankee General spiked all its artillery and left every thing behind them and before they got about four miles from town they were headed our division and they had to fight us on open ground.

The battle commenced before it was clear day and lasted about an hour an half. As the enemy had left all their artillery behind them they had none to fight us with but small arms. They tryed to charge on our battery three times and repulsed each time. Then they commenced retreating and we followed, and they surrendered, five yankee regiments gave to our our brigade and surrendered. They staked arms for us, hung their accoutrements and gave themselves up to us as prisoners of war. Our brigade alone took six of their flag.

There was but few killed and wounded out of our Brigade and them were out skirmishing. None of our company got hurt. Henry Gilliland requested to tell you to tell his family that he is alright, and that he would write in a few days. John R. Hepler also requested me to tell you to let Barny Johnson know that he is well and that he would write to them in a few days. This was the cheapest victory ever was achieved yet without the loss of so many lives.

We feel very much tired out marching from around Fredericksburg to this place, and we are now under marching orders again. We cooked three days rations, and filled up our haversacks with it and we are to be ready to march by eleven o'clock.

I haven't much more to tell you at this time, only that I want you to write to me oftner than you do. Give my best respects to Lee Pursinger and family, to Barny Johnson and family and to Sarah Johnson and family and keep a portion for you, for mother and Sister Russia and Remain your affectionate husband untill death, John Garibaldi

To Mrs. Sarah Garibalda Direct Your letters to Winchester, Frederick County, Va. Co. C. 27th Va. Regt Vols, Stonewall Brigade Care of Captain C.L. Haynes.

Written from Washington County, Maryland. Letter regards the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Washington County Maryland. July 10, 1863

Dear Wife I take this present opportunity to drop you these few lines in order to let you know that I am yet alive, but my health is not very good though I am yet doing duty. I haven't received a letter from you since the seventeenth of May last nor I haven't heard any thing about you. You must write often at least once a week. I haven't written to you now for some time because I hadn't chance but when I had I send you a letter every week.

We crossed the Potomac river on the 18 of June. We have been up nearly to Harrisburg the capitol of Pennsylvania. We then came back and met the enemy at Gettysburg Pennsylvania and fought for three days. We whipt him badly the first day, and it then fell back, took up a strong position and threw entrenchments and repulsed us. We then fell back ourselves and took up a position but the enemy refused to attack us. After staying there a day without being attacked we fell back across the mountains where we are now about thirteen miles from the Potomac.

The river is completely swelled by the heavy rains so that we can't ford it for a week and it is believed that before we will cross the river the enemy will come and attack us and that it will be a very big battle. We have about fifteen thousand yankee prisoners that belongs to our corps besides them of Longstreet, and A.P. Hill's corps to fetch to Virginia. Our loss is pretty heavy. There was thirteen out of our company killed and wounded. Henry Gilliland was killed dead on the field. William Lawson was killed, David and Lee Gilbert were badly wounded, John Hepler was slightly wounded and the Captain and Lieutenant Clark.

I haven't time to write any more because that man is going to start out so nothing more at present but to reamin your affectionate husband untill Death. John Garibaldi.

Written from "Camp Near Darksville, Berkeley County," Virginia. Letter comments on the kindness of people in Pennsylvania and wealth of countryside there.

Camp Near Darksville, Berkeley County, Va. July 19, 1863

Dear Wife I received yours of the 15 of June last few days ago from which I understood with gladness that you was well. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

You are complaining in your last letter that I don't write to you but that aint so for when I am in camp I write to you at least every weak. Two or three weeks have passed without writing to you but we were constantly marching in Pennsylvania and Maryland and the mail was right smartly interrupted so that we could neither receive nor send a letter. The last letter I wrote to you was written with the pencil, and it was whilst I was in Maryland.

I saw brother Geroge there and he told me that he had came out of the fight safe and that he was well. He asked me when I had heard from you all, and whether you was [well], and sends his best love to you all. You must try to write me oftner if you can.

I could write to you, now, something about the time we have had in Maryland and Pennsylvania but I think it almost unnecessary as I expect you have heard all about it before this time. The people of Pennsylvania treated us very kindly but I think it was only from their teeth out. When we went to their houses they gave us plenty to eat of every thing they had. They are living in a very flourishing countries, plenty of good wheat, plenty of the best meadows I ever saw in my life. The generality of the people haven't got more than eighty acres of land and they have it in highest state of cultivation and living like princes almost. They seem to be very much unconcerned about the war, very seldom they see a soldier, and they hardly know what war is, but if the war was to be carried on there as long as it was carried on in Virginia they would learn the effects of it, and perhaps would soon be willing to make peace like we are.

Thomas Arrington sends you all his best respects and he is well. Henry Gilliland was killed in the Gettysburg fight. I shall finish writing by giving you, to Russia and mother my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill Death, John Garibaldi.

Written from "Camp Stonewall Brigade." Letter regards difficulty in receiving mail and general news.

Camp Stone Brigade August 4, 1863

Dear Wife I received your kind and affectionate letters yesterday evening dated July the 11 and 23 which afforded great deal of satisfaction in learning that you was well. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I have written you a letter about four or five days ago, which I do not know whether you have or will receive it or not. We don't get half the mail that is send to us. When ever there too much of mail and too troublesome to be distribute it they just destroy it, especially when on a march. So it is very uncertainly, when you write to me, whether I will get the letter or not. The only thing is to keep writing and among so much perhaps we will get hear from each other sometime.

I have no news of any importance to write you at present. We have been encamped for three or four days on the plank road near Orange Court House but I don't know how long we shall remain here. The last camp we left, we started from it at about sundown and marched and marched about nine miles before we stopped, that was the same day that I wrote to you. We started again in the next morning at half after six and came here in the evening. We don't know when shall leave here but we may go at any time.

It is the general belief that the war will be over by next spring and that we shall all come home. I wish I was at home now and be with you for I am getting tire of this war and would like to come home to see you. The weather is very hot here now. I wish I was at home to thrash my wheat but as I can't come you all must try to get it thrashed the best way you can, but I don't expect there will be much to thrash as they all complain that it is all to thin on the ground and I expect that mine is the same way.

Give my best respects to mother and Sister Russia and tell her that I am sorry to hear that she was sick for wanting of a beau, but tell her that she must be patient. Give my respects also to Sarah Johnson, to Mr. Pursinger, to all the neighbors and keep a share for yourself and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Written from Camp "Stonewall Brigade." Letter regards life in camp.

Camp Stonewall Brigade August 14, 1863

Dear Wife With these few lines I come to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I have written to you three or four letters since we crossed the Potomac for which I haven't yet received any answer, only them two that I got from John Tingler and they were no answer to the ones I wrote to you.

We are now encamped about two miles and a half from Orange Courthouse on the plank road, and have been resting for a while , haven't nothing to do yet since we have been here except guard and picket duty and it may be that we will remain here for several weaks yet. There is the best season here we have had for some time. It rains two or three times a weak, and the corn looks better about here now than any corn I have yet seen. We pay one dollar dozen for roasting ears but they are pretty big ones. We received pay for two months three or four days ago, and we will draw two more months in the begining of September.

You will please to send me some socks for the next winter, a pair of woolen gloves and some soap. We have to pay three dollars per pound for soap now. I have no news to tell you at this time, only that we are all well, but we don't quite get anything to eat, we sometime buy extra flour and pay at the rate of sixty dollars per barrel. I wish I was at home to sow some more wheat this fall, you must tell me how many bushels of wheat you threshed out of them five bushels that I sowed last fall and how many bushels it took to make a bushel. I have nothing more to tell you at this time only to remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Direct your letters as follow Mr. John Garibaldi Co. C. 27th Regt Va. Inft, Stonewall Brigade, Second army corps, Army of Northern Virginia.

Written from "Camp Stonewall Brigade." Letter regards life in camp and general news.

Camp Stonewall Brigade

Dear Wife It is with pleasure that I seat myslef down to write you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying Do.

At this time I have no news of any importance to tell you only that we have hard times and wars coming. Some thinks that we'll have peace before long, but I don't look for any peace during Lincoln administration and, if at the end of his term another president is elected belonging to the same party or he is reelected himself we may look for another four years of war.

I just received your letter of the 31 of July last from which I understand with great pleasure that you and the family was all well. They are commencing to grant furloughs now but they are granting so few that my chance is very poor for that. I hate to apply for one and besides there is some here that they have never been at home since the commencement of the war and I think them are more entitle to a furlough than I am and they will be the first ones to get it, but I am pretty shure that I will get one next winter. At this time they are only granting furloughs to two men out of every hundred, and when these two men will come back there will be but one going home out of the same number. The length of the furlough is only fifteen days. There is one out of our company going home this time. His name is Charles Gilliland and lives with Major Haynes. By next winter the furloughs will be more numerous and of longer time and then, perhaps, I will get chance to come home myself and I have no doubt I will come home sometime next winter.

Thomas Arrington sends his best respects to you and so does the Gilberts. John Hepler was slightly wounded at the battle of Gettysburg and we haven't seen him since. We are looking for him almost every day but he hasn't come yet. It is not known where he is, some says that he never crossed the river and that in Yankeedom yet but now don't know exactly where he is. He was slightly wounded in the arm, and he came from Gettysburg to the banks of the Potomac a distance of about fifty miles by himself and we surely thought he had crossed the river but since that time we heard that he never did.

I have no news to tell you at this time, only that we are camping here about Orange Court House and have been here for about three weeks and likely we will stay here good while longer yet and resting pretty well. There is no prospect of any fighting now, and some thinks that we will have no more fighting here or at least no big fighting and I don't think we will much more fighting here neither except we might have another big fight here and that it will be about the last. Some thinks that there is an armistice now, but unknown to us. I would be glad if this war was to stop so that we might all come and mind our business at home. I think if fighting will setlle this matter there has been fighting enough now, and if fighting wouldn't settle it, there is no use of any more bloodshed, for it is the general belief among the soldiers and in foreign countries that fighting can't settle it.

We have preaching here every day and three times on holy days. Yesterday was a feast day by the command of President Davis and there was a great many assembled around the altar for the purpose of worshipping God, and pray for peace, and there was good many ladies came to our camp to preaching from the neighborhood around here.

We have to pay thirty five cents pound for flour here now, one dollar dozen for ginger cakes and very small at that, dollar a piece for pies, dollar a dozen for apples, dollar a dozen for roasting ears, four dollars per pound for soap. The corn crop here looks very promising, the corn about here is of the best I ever saw and there has been rain enough during this summer about here to keep every thing from suffering. The people about here are just now beginning to plow for wheat, and I begin to think that I ought be at home to plant some myself, but I am afraid there will be no plowing done by me this fall.

Give my best respects to Mr. Lee Pursinger and to all the neighbors around you, to mother and Russia and keep a share for yourself and I'll remain your affectionate husband till death John Garibaldi

Write to me and direct your letter to Mr. John Garibaldi, Co. C., 27th Regt. Va. Vols., Stonewall Brigade, Second Army Corps, ANV.

Written from "Camp Stonewall Brigade." Letter regards news of prisoners.

Camp Stonewall Brigade August 27th, 1863

Dear Wife I wrote you a letter last week but not seeing any answer for it I thought I would write you this present one that you may know that I am well at this time and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. It was just yesterday that I saw an extract from a Northern paper in the dayly Richmond Sentinel in which John R. Hepler, Joseph Reynolds and David Pence were reported as prisoners of war at Fort Delaware. Hepler and Reynolds were both slightly wounded. David Pence never was in the engagement and he must have been picked up straggling out by the yankee cavalry. We all thought that Hepler and Reynolds were both at home untill yesterday evening, when we saw it in the Sentinel.

I haven't much news to tell you only that we are all well in the company. George Tingler was sick for two or three days but he is now getting better. You may look for me at home next winter on furlough. I think I stand a pretty good chance to come next winter. I hope that the war will be over next summer and we will all come home for good.

Give my best respects to Mr. Pursinger and to all the neighbors and keep a share for yourself and for Mother and Russia and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi To Mrs. Sarah Garibalda So good by for this time

Written from "Camp Stonewall Brigade." Letter regards life in camp and reports news about various other soldiers who were wounded, killed, or taken prisoner.

Camp Stonewall Brigade September 3, 1863

Dear Wife I received your letter of the 8 of August last from which I understood with great pleasure that you and the rest of the family were all well, but sorrow to hear that you had been sick. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

I haven't much news to tell you at this time, only that we are laying here in camp yet doing nothing but guard duty. All the boys are well in general. Thomas M. Arrington's [leg] is breaking out again the same one that he got hurt last fall coming home on the cars. Henry Gilliland was shot in the breast, and he never spoke a word after he was shot, he fell forward and died in an instant. He got killed early in the morning in the first charge, he was left in the field unburied because the yankees fell in possession of the battlefield on the left in which we were fighting. But of course he was burried by the yankees, as it is the rule that the party that falls in possession of the battle field burries the dead.

John R. Hepler, Joseph Reynolds, and David Pence are prisoners at Fort Delaware. John R. Hepler and Joseph Reynolds were both slightly wounded and they were taken by the yankee in a raid made on our wagon as they were crossing the south mountain in Pennsylvania coming from Gettysburg. Lee Gilbert is dead, he died in two or three days after he got wounded and David Gilbert got well. The last time we heard from there he was walking about. James A. Rawlins our regimental hospital steward who stayed behind in Pennsylvania with doctor Sayers to take care of our wounded, just lately came through the lines under flag of truce brought the above news about the Gilberts.

You seems to be anxious about my coming home on furlough but there is no chance for me at present. I would like to come home myself but I don't think I'll get chance to come till next winter unless they get to grant the furloughs more numerous than they do now. I think you may look for me next winter.

I saw Brother George about a month ago and he was well at that time. I don't know where he is now, because he was marching at the time I saw him nor does he know where I am now because we have moved the camp since, and I can't get out here to go and hunt for him, for I may have to hunt for several days before I'll find him, and I can't get a pass for that long time to get out of the camp. He told me that he is hardly ever sick and that he enjoys his health in the army as well as when he was out of the army and that he thought he wasn't made to be killed or die in the army. But I will try get a pass for twenty four hours as soon as I can and look for him and will tell him to write home.

You will please tell George Kemper that William P. Kemper is with his regiment and he is well. He has been seen by George Gilbert about nine or ten days ago, and by Arrington about two or three days ago, and he was well at that time and with his company. I would go over and see him myself, but they are so strict on us that we can't get out of the camp without a pass from our Major General and they wouldn't grant but one pass a day out of each company.

I expect there is soldiers at home all the time on furlough, but there is no soldiers at home now in Alleghany from this army except they have been wounded and unable for duty except one from our company, whose name is Charles Gilliland and lives with Major Haynes and three or four of the Alleghany roughs, who received a furlough for fifteen days. And if there is any others at home besides them that I mentioned they are at home on French furlough, that is I am now speaking about this army, but from the army of North Western Virginia they can come home almost any time as they are allways in camp and close enough home to go and back in days and they generally keep at a pretty good distance from the enemy, therefore they can come home almost as often as they please, because their presence in the army is not so strictly required. But here in this army we have too much fighting and marching to do to be absent from our command and we are therefore kept under strict discipline.

I will finish writing by giving you my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi Give my best respects to Mother and Russia and to all the neighbors. So good by.

Letter regards troop movements, news of other soldiers, and remarks that the unit constructing breastworks.

Stonewall Brigade September 25, 1863

Dear Wife Yours of September 11th came to hands last night which afforded untold pleasure in hearing that you and mother and Russia was well. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same state of health. You told me in your letter that you hadn't received a letter for almost five weeks but that is the postmaster's falt for I haven't let a week pass without writing to you. I haven't received a letter from you for almost four or five weeks neither except the one I received last night.

We have had no peace for a good while. We have been marching about for opposite of ten days. The enemy is in our front and we look for a battle soon. We have been throwing up breastworks a whole night, but I don't expect that it will do us much good for the yankees never did attack us in our fortifications yet. Whenever we fortify in one place they go and attack us in another, in fact they are too smart to attack us wherever we are fortified for they can't whip us out of our fortifications let alone in the fortifications.

I think I will come home next winter on furlough perhaps fifteen days. I don't think there will be any furloughs granted for any longer time than that. I know I am entitled to a furlough next winter, whether I'll get it or not I am not able to tell lyou, but I think I will get one. I would like to come home and see you all but there is no chance at present for me. I saw Geroge several times and not later than last week and he was well.

I suppose that you would like to know what became of Lee and David Gilbert. Lee is dead from a wound received at Gettysburg. He didn't live but two or three days after he was wounded. David was wounded also in the same battle but he is well now and he is prisoner of war in the North, and he may be exchanged before long. John R. Hepler, Joseph Reynolds and David Pence are at Fort Delaware. John Hepler and Joseph Reynolds were both slightly wounded, but I expect they are both well by this time. We did not know what had become of David Pence at first till here about a month ago, when we saw his name on the paper, saying that he was at Fort Delaware prisoner. He got lost from us the night before the battle and therefore he wasn't engaged. Henry Gilliland was shot in the breast and died instantly. His body was left on the battle field in the hands of the enemy, and to be burried by the enemy.

The health of our men here now is most excellent, we scarcely hear of any sickness at all. I weigh now one hundred and forty seven pounds, and I never did weigh more than a hundred and forty nine in my life. We are getting very scanty rations too. The weather here now is very good. I suppose you have heard of the battles they have had in tennessee where our men whipped the yankees and took about seventy pieces of artillery, and about then thousand prisoners.

I wish this war was over for I am getting tire of soldiering but I don't see any prospect of peace till Lincoln administration lasts and he has yet more than a year to administer the Federal Government, and it lays in his power either to make peace or carry on the war. My time of enlistment will be out next Spring, but I expect to soldier untill the land is blessed with peace, and every body else may as well conclude to do the same or be considered as deserters, for the man that will not be willing to soldier he'll be forced into it. Neither do I expect that anybody will be exempted from the service because he put in substitutes for I believe that they will take in substitutes and all next spring.

I am sorry to hear that Micahel Aritt was taken prisoner for I believe he was trying to soldier as well as he could, although contrary to the will of his father and mother, but he, though against the will of his mother, is not a bushwacker like good many others, and answers to his country's call. I believe that if all of these bushwhackers and deserters would come in to the army we could whip the yankees [thoroughly] and have peace by next winter. For such people as bushwhackers I have no good feeling. I don't care if they were all drowned although they be my best friend and brothers, because I believe they are reason why this war goes on so long.

Thomas M. Arrington and James C. Gilbert are both well, and send their compliments to you all. I shall bring my letter to a close by giving you and mother and Russia my best respects and Remain your affectionate husband untill death.

Written "twenty miles below Orange Court House," Virginia. Letter regards troop movements and general news.

Stonewall Brigade, twenty miles below Orange Court House October 6, 1863

Dear Wife Though I wrote to you a letter about ten days ago for which I haven't yet received any answer, I will write you another one, and thinking that my letter never came to hands perhaps this will, for I think that not one third of my letters never reach their destiny, because I get just about one letter from you for every three I write to you.

Yours of September the 11 came to hands on the 24 and had just written you day before, and I thought I would wait till I got an answer for the one I had written, but having wayted for nearly two weeks for an answer from you and never seeing any coming I thought I would write to you this present one that you may know that I am well, hoping that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying all the health that you may desire, together with Mother and Sister Russia.

I haven't much news to tell you at this time, only that we are under marching orders, and yesterday evening we had to cook our two days ration and pack up our knap sacks and ready to march at a moment's warning, but we have had such marching orders good many times before since we came across the mountain and never march afterward, so that we don't think that we will march this time. There is the Rapidan River between us and the enemy, a stream not any larger than Pots Creek in some places only it is deeper. We are in sight of each other. There is only about two hundred distance between the pickets and right in sight of each other but they never shoot at each other, but they talk with each other and sometime they exchange papers.

It is supposed that the yankees are taring up the rail road and burning the ties as we could hear all last night a continual jingle of rail road iron, and could see fires all along the rail road and we saw with a glass yesterday, a train of wagons moving entirely from us. There is certainly some movement on hands among them, and if it is so that they are destroying the rail road, they intend to give up these countries, because if they intended stay here they wouldn't certainly be destroying the railroad so necessary for the subsistance of their army.

We saw an extract in our paper taken from some of the Northern papers, which said that the army of the Potomac has told for its self and that there wouldn't be no more fighting on the Potomac, except may be some skirmishing, or cavalry fighting. They reinforcing the South Western army and if they subjugate the South it will be from the South West, they have already found out that they can't whip the South by coming in this way.

I hope that twelve months from now will bring peace. Tell George Kemper that William P. Kemper is well and with his regiment. I think I will get a furlough next winter and come home for a while. You must send me some socks, a pair of woolen gloves, some red pepper if you can by the first opportunity offered. If you can buy me three or four good pair of woolen socks, and a pair of woolen gloves for next Winter and send them to me by as soon as you can I will be very much obliged to you, for we can't draw nothing here except cotton socks.

Give my best respects to Lee A.B. Terry, to Mr. Pursinger, and to all the enquiring friends and keep a share for your self and mother and Russia and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

You must write to me soon and pay for the letters that you write for we don't get any letters unless they are paid for.

Give Mrs. Sara Johnson my best respects. There is some talk about our regiment coming to Western Virginia under General Echols but I don't know how true this is nor when it will be, and perhaps never.

Written from Culpeper Court House, Virginia. Letter reports various engagements with the Union and prisoners taken.

Camp Near Coul Pepper [Culpeper] Courthouse October 21, 1863

Dear Wife Yours of the six instant came to hands day before yesterday which gave great deal of satisfaction to learn that you and the family were both well. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same state of health.

I saw George yesterday and I see him very often, he is as well as he could be expected. As Mr. Lamby is here now and got chance to send this letter by hand, I thought I would write to you this present letter and enclose twenty dollars, which you will receive and spend them as you need them. We have got payed off this morning and got thirty four dollars for two months that is for July and August. We shall soon have another pay day for September and October and in that pay we will get our clothing money. I expect I will get opposite of one hundred dollars and will try to send you some of it the next chance I get.

There is some talk of our regiment coming to Western Virginia as soon as we'll get settled here for the Winter. We have been on a march for twelve days, and we expected to have a fight with the yankees but they didn't stand their own ground when they heard that we were coming, they ran away during the night. We left our old camp on the other side of the Rapidan River on the eight of this month and in three days march got to Coulpepper [Culpeper] Courthouse where the yankees had fixed themsleves nice comfortable winter quarters, and stopped about five miles from the place to cook rations and be ready for the fight the next day, but the enemy having heard of it made his escape at two o'clock in the morning. They even didn't have time to gather up their blankets and shoes but they were rushed out and crossed the Rappahannock River that night. We took after them the next day and after two day's march overtook them again at this side Manassas Junction late in evening.

General A.P. Hill cut off their line of march in two in that case. We lost about one hundred and fifty killed and wounded but it was through bad management of General Heath or Hill that we lost so many killed. One North Carolina Brigade did pretty much all the fighting and they were badly whipped just for not having any support close at hand. The yankees had three Brigades engaged and about twenty cannons and we only one brigade and six pieces of cannons, but after reinforcement came up we took possession of the road they were marching on and cut off good many, but being nearly night and not having time to fight them, they got away and made their escape. We were all disapointed because we expected the yanks would make a stand some where but they kept going and when we'd catch up with them in evening they would get away during the night and have two or three hours os start on us, they done that twice, the cavalry done all the fighting in this trip.

We have got about two or three thousand prisoners on this trip principally stragglers who couldn't keep up and the balance cavalry. We are now returned on this side of the Rappahannock, after having broken up all the rail road from Manassas to the Rappahannock and burned all the ties, we expect to go now in a regular camp, where we may remain till next Spring unmolested. The yankees have been whipped often enough here in Virginia to come here again to fight us, it is believed by northern editors that the army of the Potomac has fought her last battle, and that it is useless to fight any longer here in Virginia so that the war will be removed from here to Tennessee and Kintucky and we shall have some fine time here. They have lately been whipped in Tennessee also and I believe that before twelve months these hostilities shall cease and they will let us depart in peace. It is said that Generals Heath and A.P. Hill are both under arrest for having thus managed the fight willfully bad. If the thing had went on right, we could have got a big fight out of them, whipped them bad and got nearly all their wagons and commissaries and a large quantity of prisoners, because their army is now composed almost all of substitutes and conscripts and they don't care whether they fight or not, because they were forced in to it.

I shall finish writing by giving you my best respects and Remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Give my best Respects to Miss Russia and Mother to Mrs. Sarah Johnson to Mr. Pursinger and to all the enquiring friends. Enclosed you will find twenty dollars. Excuse my bad writing because I wrote in the hurry because Mr. Lamby might start before I get letter written.

Letter reports that the unit is drawn up in line of battle.

Stonewall Brigade November 1, 1863

Dear Wife With these few lines I come to let you know that I am well at present and hope when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

We are now and have been drawn up in line of battle for several days and a battle is looked for any time. Our Division had a fight day before yesterday in which we lost about four hundred killed wounded and missing and I had the luck of coming out safe. I haven't time to give you much news at present as we are drawn up in line of battle throwing up breastworks and expecting an attack at any time so I shall close up my letter by giving you and the family my best respects and will reamin your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

George Gilbert got wounded day before yesterday on his league [leg] but there was no bone broken in his leg. He was the only one hurt in our company. You will excuse the pencil writing because I could get no ink to write with here. Write to me as soon as you get this and let me know how you are getting along.

Written from "seven miles east of the Rappahannock and about five miles west of Culpeper Courthouse," Virginia. Letter regards general news.

Camp Stonewall Brigade November 4, 1863

Dear Wife It is with pleasure that I seat myself down this beautiful Sabath morning in order to inform you that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings. I have no particular news to tell you at this time. We are laying in camp here about seven miles east of the Rappahannock and about five miles west of Culpeper Courthouse where we expect to stay for the winter provide the yankees don't make no new movements. They were offered battle about two weeks ago but they began to run so fast that we couldn't hardly keep up to them and when we did overtook them it was late in the evening and they got away during the night, so we don't expect that we'll have any more fighting in the part of the army till next spring.

I hope that I will get a furlough sometime next winter but I am not certain of it. There is good many ahead of me and they will certainly get a furlough before I will but I think that the furloughs will be granted more numerous, and thus I will be able to get one myself.

Tell George Kemper that Billy Kemper is not now with his regiment, he was send away from here sometime in September, he has received a sick furlough home and has never returned yet. Tell him that when he writes to him just to direct his letters thus, Mr. William P. Kemper, Co. C, 42 Reg. Va. Vols, Johnson's Division, Second Army Corps, Army of Northern Virginia. I allways thought that Mr. Kemper was with his regiment untill the other day when I went to look for him. I don't know him when I see him.

I send you twenty dollars in the last letter that I send you and when you write to me I want you to tell me whether you have received or not. The letter was directed to you and in the care of Mr. Lee Pursinger and sended it by Mr. Lamby and as the gentlemen has been to Alleghany and back again here now I will send you this present one the same way and by the same gentleman. You must write to me soon and tell me how you are getting along.

We will soon have another payday and will send you some more money. I can't send anything except money, there is nothing that I can buy to send you, except to send you little money every once an while. You must try to get along the best way I can. Give my best repects to Mother and Sister Russia, Mrs. Sarah Johnson, to Mr. and Mrs. Pursinger and keep a share for yourself and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi.

Written from near Orange Court House, Virginia. Letter regards general news and life in camp.

Camp Near Orange Court House November 15, 1863

Dear Wife Yours of the 25 of the last month came to hands three or four days ago from which I derived the welcomed information that you and the family and neighbors in general were all enjoying the same state of health in which I have always wished you all remain. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you all enjoying the same.

You haven't wrote to me about them twenty dollars that I have sended you by Mr. Lamby but I supposed that when you wrote to me this letter you hadn't yet received them, but I hope that you have got them before this time and when you will write to me you will tell me whether you have receive them or not. Besides the money I have sended you two religious newspapers in which you will find a heap of good reading and no doubt you will pass off a good deal of your lonesome time and profit you very much.

I have no news to write to you at this time. We have had severall movements but no fighting of any consequence yet. We are now again camped this side of the Rapidan. The yankees make good many demonstrations but I don't think they have intention to fight, they only want make us believe that they are going to fight us in order to keep us from reinforcing General Bragg. It is the general belief that there will be no more fight here till next spring.

We get very scanty rations now. Since I commenced writing this letter we had orders to cook two days rations and be ready to march at moments warning. There was a heavy cannonading down the Rapidan this morning and it may be that we will have a general engagement soon. We have just now receive orders to move at once. So nothing more at present but to Remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Letter regards troop movements and life in camp.

Camp Stonewall Brigade November 21, 1863

Dear Wife With these few lines I wish to let you know that yours of the 9th instant came duly to hands last night which afforded me great deal of satisfaction in hearing that you was well with the balance of the family. I don't feel very well today but am still doing duty and I don't think it will amount to very much, and will soon get better, for it is nothing but head ache and pains about my back. But I hope that when these few lines will come to hands they will find you enjoying better health than I do at present.

Dear I must tell you that I have no news of any importance to write to you at present, they keep us moving about right smart, for we hardly stay two or three days stationary at place before we move again, but it looks very much that there will not be no more fighting in this part of the country till next spring. Whenever you write to me you must tell me all that you know about the yankees, for I understood that they have been again in Alleghany. I am very sorry that you couldn't get any wheat sowed, and I wish that I was at home to sow some for you but I am afraid that it will be some time yet, before I'll get chance to come home. I hope though that I will get chance to come home next winter.

I must tell now that there was sent here from Staunton a whole lot of clothes especially for the brigade, and that we all had chance to draw anything we want in the way of shoes, drawers, shirts, pants, and jackets. I drew a very good jacket and pants and shirts and drawer, this was far the best clothing for winter we drew for long time so that we are all of this brigade supplied of good warm clothing. I shall quit writing for this time by giving you my best respects and also to mother and Russia and will remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Dear I must tell you that Thomas W. Rose is sick and was send away to the hospital about two weeks ago. I haven't seen George for sometime now. If you have any chance you can let Thomas W. Rose people know that he is not now with the company and that they not send letters here to him for Captain Clark has three or four of his letters and don't know what hospital to send them. We have had no snow here yet it is raining here today. We have had some very warm days for this [time] of the year.

Letter regards life in camp and reports on wounded soldiers.

Camp Stonewall Brigade December 5, 1863

Dear Wife I have written you a letter a few days ago but not having wrote to you all that I should have written I come to write to you this present one in order to let you know that I am well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same sort of blessings.

When I wrote to you the last time I should have told you that George Poor got wounded in the shoulder on the 27 of November last by a minie ball. It was a bad wound but not mortal. I just now found it out and did not know anything about his being wounded, a man in our company just went over today to George's company to see some of his relations, and brought me the news when he came back that George was wounded. He is now in some hospital but don't know where and will write to you where he is as soon as I find it out, but it may be some time before I do find out where he is.

I have no news to tell you at this time only that we are laying still in camp. All the Yankees went back across the river without much fighting. They found out that they couldn't whip us and they went back over the river. It may be that they will not come back any more untill next spring provide the winter sets in soon but if the weather remains good.

George Tingler is sick, took sick last night just like he did last fall with a pain on his left side. The doctor applied a muster plaster to it and the pain disappeared but he is not well yet although he is a heap better than he was last night. Thomas W. Rose is sick in General Hospital number 2 Lynchburg, Virginia.

If you get chance to send me anything you will please to send me one of the comforts that I send home last spring but if the winter be about over before you get chance to send it you need not mind it but you can send me some socks any time you get chance because I haven't a pair to my foot now and there is no chance to draw any from the government. As it is getting dark and haven't time to write any more I shall wind up my letter by giving my best respects onto all the family and neighbors and will remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Give my best respects to Mr. Pursinger and Terry.

Letter regards general news and life in camp.

Camp Stonewall Brigade December 16, 1863

Dear Wife It is with great pleasure that I seat myself down this beautiful day to write you these few lines in order to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same state of health. I have written you several letters for which I have not yet received any answer. I hope that you will not put it off writing when you get this letter.

I have no news to tell you of any importance at this time only that we are laying still in camp doing nothing. I suppose you have heard that George Gilbert was wounded in the battle of Germana Ford on the 27 of November last in one of his legs only a flesh wound but it was a pretty bad one. I have written you in one of my previous letters that George Poor was wounded on the same day pretty bad but not mortally. They were both send out to the hospital but don't know where. George Tingler is getting better and he is now near just about as well as ever. Thomas W. Rose was send to the hospital sick little better than a month ago and he is in Lynchburg, Virginia General hospital number two.

You will please to try to get me some socks, some red pepper, some soap and send them to me by the next opportunity offered. You will please to send me also one of them comforts that I send home last Spring by Lee Persinger and my Catholic prayer book as soon as you can. We will draw our pay in two or three weeks from now and will send you some money by the next chance I'll get.

I do not know what time I will get chance to come home this winter there is good many before me to get furloughs yet and they are letting might few to go home at time now only one out every fifty is allowed to go home at time but I hope that after while they will grant them more numerous and will then have chance myself to get one.

I will finish my letter by giving you mother and Sister my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Give my best respects to Lee Persinger and Terry and to all the neibors. So good by.

Written near Orange Court House, Virginia. Letter regards general news and life in camp.

Camp 27th Va Regiment Near Orange Court House January 9, 1864

Dear Wife Yours of the 4 instant came duly at hands last night which afforded great deel of pleasure in hearing that you and the family were all well. This leaves me well at present and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same state of health. Dear I have no news of any importance to tell you at present, only that we are all in pretty comfortable winter quarters and doing nothing but guard, and picket duty. Our ration of meat has been reduced to a quarter of a pound of bacon per day, or three quarters of a pound of beef, but they are giving us lard in place of it. Besides we draw sugar, rice, coffee, and dried fruit pretty often. Our flour rations is eighteen ounces per day yet, and very likely to be so for the winter. Myself and Mr. Gibson have a shanty of our own that we built, and sleep together. He is cooking for the preacher, the doctor, the adjutant, and the Regimental stewart, and they are paying him extra wages, and we get plenty to eat.

I don't want you to send me anything by mail except letters, for it is so uncertain, if you want send me anything send it to me by hands or don't send it at all and I'll try to do without it, rather than to [lose, have]. I am entirely bare footed but I think I'll get shoes today or tomorrow, but as for socks there [none] to be drawn and haven't had a pair on me for two months. The winter is going along pretty well and after while it will be warm enough to go without socks, I hope, but if I had couple pairs now, and one of my comforts, I would be very glad. Whenever you get chance, to send it by hands, I want you to send me my Catholic prayer book, a pair of socks or two provide you can get them, and my comfort.

I wish I could come home on a furlough but I expect it will be way late in the winter or Spring before I'll get one, but my turn will come sometime, and you may look for me at home sometime this winter or next Spring. I would like to know how you all are getting along for something to eat, you all have no chance to make money to buy flour because it is so high, and there is nobody at home, to do any thing for you all so that I am afraid that either you are, or will have to suffer. I can not help you much, because my wages are only seventeen dollars per month. However there is about one hundred dollars coming to me next pay day, which is now due, of which I shall try to send you fifty, next opportunity I'll meet. You must try to get along the best way you can, for I cannot help you much and I'll come home as soon as I can.

Next Spring my term of service of three years will be over, but I expect that we will, all, have to stay in, for during the war, and there will be no men discharged from the service at all, except them unfit for duty, but if they, next Spring, give us chance to reinlist and join any command we please, I have concluded to come West. It seems to me that the war is going to be a long one.

The weather is very fine here today, we haven't had but two little snows, it snowed night before last about two inches deept but it is going away very fast. The ground is frost here very deep. You must give my best respects to George [Roore], George Gilbert, Thomas W. Rose, Lee H. B. Terry, to Mother, Sister Russia, to all the neighbors and keep a share for yourself, and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill Death John Garibaldi

Mr. Gibson sends you his best respects and he is [well]. Mr Arington sends you his best repsects and he is well also, the boys are generally well. There is but very little sickness in the army. So good by Mr. Gibson sends you a tract for you read.

Letter regards general news and life in camp.

Camp Stonewall March 8, 1864

Dear Wife It is with pleasure that I seat myself down this morning to let you know that I arrived here last friday night safe at camp. Our brigade had been on picket for about thirteen days on account of them yankee raids in our rear and the balance of our division been out on a march toward Chancellorsville, they came to camp again last sunday and they relieved us yesterday. All our troops have returned to camp and settled down again, it was nothing but a yankee raid trying to take Richmond and burn it relieve the yankee prisoners and hang Jeferson Davis, but they failed in all that. General Dalgreen was killed and his party dispersed. General Killpatrick made his escape in Butler's line. He was in full command of the Yankee raiding cavalry.

Mr. Gibson started out on his furlough yesterday morning and he will get home tonight. I am now cooking in his place for the doctor and the preacher untill he'll come back. I am sorry to tell you that Thomas W. Rose lost his knapsack at Millboro with everything that he had in it my things and his things both, he said he laid his knapsack on his boxes on the platform and hadn't left it no more than ten minutes when somebody stole it from him. He says that he thinks it was some of the provost guard at that place. Whenever you get chance you will please to send me another pair socks. I want neither gloves nor comfort any more this winter and if I had another pair of socks I could make out for this winter. Lee A.B. Terry is not in camp now he was send off sick sometime before I got here and don't know where he is. You must try to write to me as soon as you get this so I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Letter regards general news and life in camp, including a snowball fight.

Camp Stonewall Brigade March 24, 1864

Dear Wife It is a pleasure that I seat myself down this beautiful morning to let you know that I am well and hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

I wrote you a letter on the tenth of this month for which I haven't yet received any answer. Thomas W. Rose lost his knapsack in coming to the army and everything it contained. He said that of the provost guard stole it from him at Millboro so that he lost everything that you had given him to fetch me.

The snow fell about a foot deep here day before yesterday however the weather is very nice now. There was great snowbowling yesterday. It first commenced between the 27th and 33d Regiment and after about an hour of snow bowling the 4th regiment took our part and reinforced us, and the 2d Regiment reinforced the 33d, in about an hour afterward the fifth Regiment reinforced the 4 and 27th and snowbowled the 2d and 33d out of their camp. Afterward the whole brigade joined together again and attacked Rodes Division. Some of the 4th Brigade Louisianians and some of the 33d Brigade of our Division joined our Brigade. Rodes division turned out and ran our fellows into camp. Brigadier General Doles was commanding Rodes Divison. We had no generals ingaged on our side except some colonels took part in the fun. Some rascal or other nocked General Doles in the head with a rock and cut right smart gash in it. He fell off of his horse but he wasn't out the field more than half an hour when he returned again.

In evening the long roll was beaten in our brigade and Louisiana Brigade and turned out again. Our Brigadier General took the field and commanded our Division. Rodes's Division was waiting on us we went and attacked them and ran them out of their camp, thus ended the 23 of March. It was all nice fun except with Brigadier General Doles some had pick at him and took out of him in that way. I shall cease writing by giving you all my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

Since I came back I received a letter from Mary T. Winebrenner inquiring of me about her husband. I don't know neither her nor her husband and she says the news came from you that I was aquainted with her husband. I wrote to his Captain yesterday about C. Winebrenner and as soon as I get an answer from him I will write to her.

Letter regards general news and life in camp.

Camp Stonewall Brigade April 5, 1864

Dear Wife Yours of the 21 of March last came to hands yesterday from which I was glad to hear that you was well. This leaves me well at present and I hope that when these few lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

I have no news of importance to tell you at this time, only that the weather is very bad and disagreable here now. Our brigade just came off pickett yesterday evening. Everything is peaceable here now, nothing going on. The officers have been reduced down to same rations as the privates and it is issued to them just the same as it is issued to us. Neither are they allowed to buy any from the Commissary department. The company officers are drawing with their companies and to the field officers it is weighed out to them.

I am sorry to tell you that there is a man in our company just now dying his name is George Harmon. He lives down on Jackson's River. He took sick last Sunday and died (I expect is dead now) this morning. He was a very strong man.

I wrote to Staunton to the priest for another prayer book, and just got it yesterday with two tracts and three cards. Enclosed you will find a tract and a card in this here letter for you. I sort of think that Thomas W. Rose done something with the things that you sended me by him and he just tells me as an excuse that somebody stole them from him. I have a notion to charge him for it but I have a fear that I shall have to take it out in charging.

I received a letter, sometime ago, from Mary F. Winebrenner enquiring into the whereabouts of her husband saying that she heard that I knew him, and knew where he was and that I had tole you about knowing him. I am uterly stranger of either Mrs. or Mr. Winebrenner, neither do I recollect of having ever heard such name, but I wrote to his captain about him and haven't yet received any answer about him. He belongs to George's old company.

Mr. [Salander] spoke to me about that pistol as I was coming to the army and told him you will take six bushels of corn for it, he said, then, that he hadn't the corn to spare at that time, and I told him that you would wait till the next crop would come, he then said that he would try to raise some. You do as you please with it I think the pistol is worth six bushels of corn and if you can help it don't let him have it for any less.

I will quit writing, by giving you, Mother, Sister, Brother George and family my best respects and remain your affectionate husband untill death John Garibaldi

Letter regards Civil War news and life in camp.

Camp Stone Wall Brigade April 22, 1864

Dear Wife It is with pleasure that I seat myself down this beautiful morning to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that when these lines will come to hands they may find you enjoying the same blessings.

I have no news to tell you at present, we are to pack up everything we have today and be ready to march tomorrow morning. It is said we are going on picket and that we are to camp some where nearer to our picket lines, but none of us knows where we shall go, all we know is that we will abandon our winter quarters tomorrow morning never more, perhaps, to return to this camp.

The weather is most beautiful here now and the roads will soon be in marching order and we look for the Spring campaign close at hands. Meantime our troops have been cheered up by the victories that our armies have lately achieved in North Carolina and in Transmississippi Department. General Banks have been defeated in the Transmississippi Department with the loss of eight thousand men including killed wounded and missing, thirty five pieces of artillery, two hundred wagons. In North Carolina they have been defeated with the loss of twenty six hundred prisoners, one Brigadier General and several pieces of Artillery. General Forrest captured Fort Pillow and out of seven hundred yankees defending it four hundred negroes, and three hundred whites, he only took one hundred prisoners. The balance were all killed including the comandant of the fort. All these little victories are very encouraging to us and could we only whip Grant it would be very encouraging to us and very discouraging to the enemy. I think we will soon have a trial of it, and I am pretty confident that if General Grant comes over the Rapidan River to fight us over here in our breastworks he will get pretty badly whipped.

This here makes the fifth letter that I have written you since I got back from furlough and haven't received but two from you. I have received them things that you sended me by George Gilbert. I think that this year is the last year of the war provide we can whip the enemy next summer. I hope that we will all come home next winter. I am pretty tire of this war by this time but there is no chance for us unless the war stops for we shall all have keep fighting untill the yankees give us up or untill we shall be subjugated.

There is great revival among the churches in this army. There is at least three times as many more converts in this year than there was last spring. Mr. Gibson is one of them and good many others of our company. John Baker of Covington is to be baptised today.

We are to cook four days rations this evening. I wish I could give some of my coffee that I have on hands. I have nearly half pound on hands ahead of my regular ration, but we are too far apart for me to give to you. The meat is the most scarse article we are getting and that is only a quarter of a pound per day scarsely enough. But considering the times we are doing very well, we done even better this winter than we did did last. Last winter we drew [best] on ration or two of coffee, and but very little sugar. This winter we drew coffee and sugar regular. They are making out to give us some clothing every once and a while so that there is not much complaining in camp. I myself am afraid that we'll have heap harder time in the way of rations than we ever had yet before this war closes. As soon as we draw any money I shall send you some by the first opportunity. Please write to me as soon as you can. Give my best respects to Mother, Russia, and to all the enquiring friends and I'll remain your affectionate husband untill death. John Garibaldi

To Mrs. Sarah Garibalda

Mr. Gibson sends his best respects and he is well. Clarington Gilbert told me to write to you in my letter to tell Russia to write to him.

Three letters sent from John Garibaldi to his daughter.

Civil War envelopes.