Description:

Civil War - War dated ALS by teenaged Confederate soldier: "If there were not so many Yankees"

Cream blue-lined stationery with crown blind stamp in upper left corner of first page, 4 bifold pages inscribed in same careful and beautiful hand. Addressed to "Mr. J.C. Bell, Cannicello P.O., Rockbridge Co., Va.", marked paid, postmarked, and daubed with red sealing wax on last page/envelope cover. ALS by Charles F. Nelson, a nineteen-year-old officer in Co. I, Virginia 4th Infantry, Confederate Army, dated December 5, 1861 from "Camp Stevenson, VA". Paper is very clean overall with the exception of the cover, which shows weathering. Some ink fading but script is still legible. Small tear to paper edge corresponding to broken wax seal. Retailer pencil inscription along upper corner back page. Each page measuring 7.75" x 9.625".

A very thoughtful letter written by a young Confederate officer stationed at a northern Virginia encampment he described as "a mudhole [sic] about 5 miles below Winchester". Historical records indicate that Nelson was killed about three months after writing this letter, making the document, with its discussion of Union numerical superiority around the Virginia/West Virginia border, even more poignant. Nelson is writing to thank his correspondent for sending him some pocket money, and also for the invitation to Castle Rock, the addressee's home.

In the letter, Nelson guesses that the Confederates will not stay long at Camp Stevenson, yet we know that the Battle of Kernstown - in which Nelson and 79 other Confederate soldiers were killed - was waged three months later near there. "There is no sign of any enemy anywhere near here," Nelson writes, "but there are some opposite Shepherdstown in Jefferson county" - a city over the West Virginia border hugging the Potomac River. Nelson writes somewhat flippantly that it would be an instance of "the most consummate folly" for the Confederates to attack Yankee forces outnumbering them 3 to 1. During Nelson's last action at the Battle of Kernstown, 6,000-9,000 Union soldiers faced off against 3,000-4,000 Confederate troops.

After a short paragraph rhapsodizing about tent chimneypieces, Nelson congratulates his newly married correspondent. He wrote: "Nothing would afford me more pleasure, than to visit Rock Castle next summer after I leave the army if I should be Providentially spared to get out safely". As we know, Nelson did survive until the upcoming spring but not the summer, and the war would continue for a full three years after that.

The text in its entirety, with uncorrected spelling errors, can be found below:

"Camp Stevenson Va.

December 5th 1861

Dear Jack,

I received your welcome letter a few days since, & seize upon the first opportunity to complete the pleasant task of making a reply.

Since I wrote you last we have moved our encampment to a mudhole about 5 miles below Winchester. We have been here for nearly two weeks, but I doubt whether we will remain here much longer; and when we move I have not the most remote idea of where we will go to. If there were not so many yankees at Romney I would expect to be sent there; but there are about 15000 yankees there, and I dont believe our whole force, including the militia,

will amount to over one third of that number, so, in my humble opinion, it would be nothing but the most consummate folly for us to undertake to drive them out when they have such a superior force in addition to being fortified. So if we make a move, I will be perfectly non plussed to know in what direction even we will march.

I see no indications that look like going into any Winter-quarters except tents, and dont care much anyhow, for we have fixed up splendid beds, and a fireplace with a chimney that will rival any in Rock Castle I expect for the drawing & amount of heat that is thrown out into the tent. The chimney is built close against the front of the tent, leaving only space enough to pass in and out, and it is one of the best institutions that has ever yet been adopted for warming a tent. In the very coldest weather the tent is kept plenty warm.

I would like very much indeed to see your cousin Sue in your own house. And please accept my sincere hope that you may spend a long, happy & useful term of probation together in your new home, and that you may each enjoy the others company in all coming time as you have been wont to do in the most pleasing hours of your sweet honeymoon. I hope you will be as prosperous too in all other affairs as you would wish to be, and when I may have the pleasure of visiting your house, even in future years, I hope to find you as young in looks & feelings, -- kept so by the gentle influences of a loving & affectionat wife, -- as when I first made your acquaintance. I thank you from my heart for your invitation to me, seconded so warmly by cousin Sue, to visit you in your "new home", and promise you to accept it on the very first opportunity that presents itself. Nothing would afford me more pleasure, than to visit Rock Castle next summer after I leave the army

if I should be Providentially spared to get out safely.

There is no sign of any enemy anywhere near here. You know Romney is 44 miles from here, and that is the only place where there is any number of yankees; but there are some opposite Shepherdstown in Jefferson county. We can get newspapers here every day now & can keep up with the times better.

I have found the money (I kept) of yours a very great accommodation. I dont know what I should have done for something to eat if it hadn't been for that money. I hope to get two months more pay sometime this month & I'll return it to you. We got part of our pay a few days ago, but as it dosent suit me to part with the money at present & from what you said I dont suppose you need it yourself.

Remember me to cousin Nelson, cousin Charlotte & cousin Sue. Write soon & tell me all the news. We have no news here, all is quiet as far as I know.

Yours truly,

Charles F. Nelson

P.S. Nearly all of our company are in good health. Billy Wilson from Fairfield is unwell but not much. I dont remember whether I told you Ri - was left at Centerville or not. He is a clerk at Genl Smith's headquarters. It is quite an enviable position. Neel, Hallett & Joe Anderson from Cass -- are also there. C.F.N."

A moving glimpse of military life in the early phases of the Civil War as recorded by an intelligent and sensitive observer.

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