Private William Coleman Company A of the 6th South Carolina Infantry writes home to his brother in Chester, S.C.  This is an easy to read letter in pencil that Coleman writes upon his arrival at Camp about 2 miles from Fairfax, Virginia.  Coleman is a fine writer and gives some nice descriptions. 

Highlights:

·         “The Yankees on their way to Manassas have burned and laid waste everything belonging
to those persons who are not in favor of Lincoln and his unholy cause.”

·          “I don’t think we have had a day without rain for over a week.  We are encamped in a low
wet place, surrounded on 3 sides by water.  I do not think there is a tent in camp but is in a mire.”

·         “Germantown with the exception of 2 or 3 houses has been burned.”

·         “Bonham & Longstreet’s Brigades are quite near us, Bonham having fallen back from Vienna
on account of sickness in his camp.  In his Brigade composed of 4 regts. he has only 1,200 men fit
to go into a fight.” 

Transcription:
                                                                                                                                         Camp at Germantown
                                                                                                                                                      August 14, 1861

My Dear Brother,

            As I have written to all except you, I will drop you a few lines.  Our Brigade left camp
Pettus on the day before yesterday (Monday morning) and arrived here in the afternoon.  I
as usual was left behind with the subsistence stores there not being a sufficiency of wagons
 to transport all at one time!  I arrived about 10 o’clock at night, wet and muddy, it having
rained at short intervals all day long.  I don’t think we have had a day without rain for over
 a week.  We are encamped in a low wet place, surrounded on 3 sides by water.  I do not think
there is a tent in camp but is in a mire.  It is quite cold and has the appearance of clearing up.
  I do not think we will remain here long. 

            The Yankees on their way to Manassas have burned and laid waste everything belonging
to those persons who are not in favor of Lincoln and his unholy cause.  Germantown with the
exception of 2 or 3 houses has been burned.  We are about 2 miles from Fairfax. 

            Bonham & Longstreet’s Brigades are quite near us, Bonham having fallen back from
 Vienna on account of sickness in his camp.  In his Brigade composed of 4 regts. he has only
1,200 men fit to go into a fight.  We left about 150 sick at Camp Pettus some have followed us
 today.  A man by the name of Westbrook belonging to Capt. Straits Company died last night.
  He had been removed to a house near Pettus.  I believe there is but one man considered
dangerous in our Regt.  He is a son of James Ker (our friend Jimmie).  Sid is with the sick at
 Pettus. 

            We heard today that Genl. Lee had with 10,000 men cut off 30,000 Yankees and sent for
help to bag them.  I hope it is so but like everything we hear I am afraid it is too good news to be
 so.  All our friends are as well as can be expected under present circumstances.  George was
quite unwell for a day or so but is quite recovered.  I am getting on swimmingly, gaining in flesh
every day.  Health fine.  The only thing wrong my hair is dropping out in front.  You need not be
 surprised if someday you see a little old bald head matching in to Chester.  My love to all.  I
wrote night before last to Tilla, sent the letter by mail as I send this by hand.  You may receive
it before she gets hers.  You must answer this.  Kiss Ma and the gals for me.  Good Night.

                                                                                            Your Bro,
                                                                                                        W. Coleman

A nice early war letter for the South Carolina or northern Virginia collector!

#HC108 - Price $165