Camp near Lees Mill,
23d April, 1862.
My dear Wife:
I am
just in receipt of yours of the 20th inst. I wrote you the same day
and have written you whenever I have had time and opportunity. Your letters are
a very great comfort to me and your faith increases mine. This is indeed man’s
extremity and I do earnestly hope and pray it may prove God’s opportunity to
save us from an over-powering enemy and so manifest his Almighty power that all
will have to give Him the glory. We are still standing on the defensive and are
beginning to be uneasy lest the enemy escape us and turn their large force
against some weaker point. I was out yesterday with my Company on a
reconnaissance, together with four other companies of our Regiment and five
companies of the 21st Mississippi. We killed some six or eight of
the enemy and took one prisoner, while we had two slightly wounded Miss., and
one of my men missing, supposed to be either killed or surrounded and taken
prisoner. He was a fine young man, named Daily, brave and daring and ventured
no doubt too far into the enemies’ lines. He no doubt mistook my orders or disobeyed
them and paid the forfeit of his liberty, it may be his life. I still hope he
will turn up. If taken prisoner and they give him half a chance he will escape.
We are bivouacing and living on very simple fare, sleeping on our arms and in
our clothes, ready for a moment’s call, either to repel the enemy or advance
upon him.
I fear
our people are not awake to the issues that hang on the result of the battle
that is before us. It may be well if they are not, for panic would be where
prayer now should. Our fate as a nation may depend upon it, our cause meet its
death if our arm is not sustained by the Almighty. I have determined to see in
its result the will of Heaven and to be content to suffer defeat if need be,
but never to submit to Northern dominion. Should the great battle which impends
come off it will tax the Christian sympathy of the good people of Richmond to
attend to and provide for our wounded, and since I have given up all to the
cause, I would like if I am spared to furnish accommodation to some of them at
my house. I do not know or think that it is your duty in your unprotected
condition, without knowing what the result may be so far as I am concerned, to
take any or provide for any in advance. If you were to take any, I would prefer
designating who they should be, in order that you might have gentlemen who
would appreciate you condition and not presume upon your kindness. For that
purpose I have determined that if I feel it to be my duty to tax you with any
wounded I will give them my address upon a slip of paper to you and you can put
the third story aside for them and have George Moody, Washington Kirk or David
Butler, or the whole of them, to wait on them. They will be attended by Army
Surgeons, and I will make arrangements with the Commissary Department in
Richmond to furnish tea, coffee, sugar, etc, at prices very much lower than
store prices, so that the additional expense will not be worth weighing in the
balance against the good that will and may be done. Understand that this is only
to go into effect provided I advise it, and is not to interfere with any public
or other preparation in which you are engaged, but is to be a private affair.
If wounded myself, I speak in advance for accommodation at your house, and for
as many wounded comrades as I may think proper to bring. Of course, if you take
the third story for the wounded you will provide for Mrs. Hayes and her
children in the nursery and small room attached. Cotton mattresses, which would
be cheerfully furnished you by the Surgeon General, will be a luxury to our
soldiers.
Our
country and cause hangs now in the balance. The prayer of faith, though not
recognized as an engine of war, can, may, nay will, turn it in our favour. Then
for an overflowing, concentrated faith of our whole Christian people which
shall rise in a mighty irresistible volume of sweet incense to the Father’s
throne, which will bring down the blessing. Did it ever occur to you that was
is not only a National chastisement, but it purifies and purges? Then everyone
exercises and influence for good or evil over those by whom they are
surrounded, which influence continues to act in increased power with each
succeeding generation. The men who compose the army as a general thing are very
wicked and beyond the influence of the gospel in its ordinary work. They are
bold, fearing neither God nor man. Their influence is for evil, and that
continually, and it may be the Lord, to save the young and innocent from the
effect of their pernicious influence and example, tho He takes no pleasure in
the death of a sinner, yet for the love he bears his creatures and to save the
greater number from death eternal allows them to be killed in war.
I think
the first of May will find us either victorious or the enemy after their great
demonstration declining to give us battle at this point. We are as an army
getting a little restless under the suspense and a regular battle, tho it is
generally anticipated it will be very sanguinary, would not be unwelcome.
I
received a letter from Bro. David announcing Avis’ safe deliverance from her
troubles and rejoicing that a man child is born into the world. Give my love
and hearty congratulations to both, with many thanks to David for his kind
letter.
The
enemy are drawing in around Richmond and no doubt many are badly frightened –
but they are not there yet and will have to pass over bloody fields and the
corpses of the South’s bravest before they get there.
Kiss the
dear children and give love to all friends.
Every
yours affectionately,
Jno.
S. Walker.
