29 May 1861: “we arrived in camp yesterday near 4ocl all our company are on foot.”

Item description: In this letter, Robert W. Parker tells his wife that he was just appointed officer of the guard.  He remarks on the status of troops present, portraying the typical conditions for cavalry soldiers.


Item citation: From the Robert W. Parker Papers, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

May the 29, 61

Dear wife

I am glad to inform you that I am well as common with the exception of my fever which has improved very much and…, from my trip. we arrived in camp yesterday near 4ocl all our company are on foot. I was appointed officer of the guard yesterday evening and also this morning they keep me busy. we do not expect to marched in to service til tomorrow and horses look mighty badly. I regret I had not bought a finer horse for they take the day. May the 30 even. We are not mustered into service yet but expect to be this evening. The Arkansas regiment left here yesterday for Richmond. Souldiers are coming in and leaving every day. Several of our men are sick Alick very much complaining but onfoot. The officers have a house to stay in. Our provisions from home are not out yet. Duty calls me I mus clos though I am not half done. Nothing more very interesting.

My best love to you and all write soon Direct your letter to the care of Captain Wilson BSSL

From your devoted husband.

More about Robert Parker: Robert W. Parker was born in 1838 in Pittsylvania County, Va. His father, Ammon H. Parker, and mother, Frances Goggin Parker, eventually settled in Bedford County, Va., where Robert became a farmer. Robert served in the 2nd Virginia Cavalry of the Confederate States of America Army from the onset of the American Civil War, and attained the rank of 4th Sergeant. Robert was killed in action at Appomattox Courthouse, Va., on the morning of 9 April 1865, the same day that Robert E. Lee surrendered his Army of Northern Virginia to the Union Army. Surviving him was his wife, Rebecca Louise Fitzhugh Walker Parker, and two sons.

 

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