Peter B. Smith, born in 1831, enlisted on September 30, 1861 at Camp Huger, Virginia, as a Captain and was commissioned into Co. “K”, 39^th Virginia Infantry. He later enlisted on April 1, 1863 at Richmond as a Private and was mustered into Co. “A”, 13^th Virginia Battalion Light Artillery. He is listed as hospitalized on July 29, 1864 at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, and detailed on September 15, 1864 in the Quartermaster Department in Staunton, Virginia. He took the oath of allegiance on April 30, 1865 in Staunton. He was described at enlistment as being 5’8”, with a fair complexion, grey eyes, and light hair.

This group of seventeen letters date from 1861 to 1863, plus two post-war letters from 1874. They were penned by Peter B. Smith, who wrote these to his wife.  Each letter starts with the greeting, “My dear Wife”, “My darling wife”, or “My precious Wife” and are signed with, “Your loving husband” or, “Your affectionate husband”.  Letters are in very good condition and ink is readable. Some creases are present and yellowing from age. Letters are written on a variety of paper, mostly tan and blue lined pages.

The first letter, dated November 18, 1861 he writes, “I have had quite a hunt to find a scrap of paper to write you a few lines”. He tells of being in a “constant state of excitement” due to all the different reports and rumors circulating around, and is asking for her to send supplies such as a blanket, flannel undershirt, and most importantly, tobacco, for he writes, “I had rather the Yankees would catch me than be here without tobacco”. He closes by saying how much he wants to see her, but he is content in his situation, and for her to, “be of good heart”.

The letter dated April 8, 1862 was written from Camp McDonald near Marietta, Georgia. Smith laments over the fact that letters have not been able to get through. He has not received any, and has written several, but is unsure when they will ever get to her. He writes, “But my darling, be of good cheer, for I feel sure this war will end in six months and the South for will have gained her independence. Her gallant sons are more deeply in earnest than ever. They feel that they are fighting for their homes and firesides, and they are determined to gain their independence or die in the bloody fight.” He tells of victory at Shiloh and of 88 pieces of artillery being captured, as well of a large amount of small arms and prisoners taken.

Letter dated June 13, 1862 has the cover which is addressed to, “Mrs. Peter B. Smith, Eastville, Northampton Co Virginia”. It is also labeled, “Per Flag of Truce”, and is postmarked, “OLD POINT CBB FORT VA”.  It is also written from Camp McDonald in Georgia. He writes that there is a better chance of communication now because of the, “flag of truce”. He assures her he is well and to give his love to Mother and Father. He hopes they will be leaving for Virginia soon.

In another letter from camp in Georgia on June 24, 1862 Smith writes that he just received his wife’s letter from two months prior, and expresses his frustration at why it is taking so long.  He writes that he and the other men talk often of home. He refers to the last letter he received, that she told him she wanted him to name their baby. He said that he wanted her to go ahead and name the baby, “but for Heaven’s sake, don’t call it Peter”!

Letter dated September 12, 1862 from Richmond Smith writes of his unit leaving Georgia and one fellow taking ill from a change in the water. He tells of how he is trying to get a position in a department of the army, He says he will likely go, “with the boys to the mountains” as hotels in Richmond were costly at $3.50 -$4.00 a night, and boarding houses were $2.00- $2.50 a night but were already crowded. They have news of the army crossing the Potomac into Frederick, Maryland, but he knows nothing official because of so many rumors. He wrote, “Now is the time for Maryland to throw off her shackles, if she even intends, and she ought to reinforce our army by at least 25,000 good men. I do think we have the Yankees in a bad way…..I do wish this infernal war was over….they had just as well acknowledge our independence at once, for we are bound to fight till we gain it”.

Letter dated September 16, 1862 from Richmond tells of Smith still waiting to hear if he will get a position in the army, or go in as a private. He tells his wife the latest news of friends he is serving with. He writes, “I do wish I could get a long letter from you, my darling wife, it would do me so much good”. He says he is hearing good news from the army in Tennessee and Kentucky, but, “we seldom hear from our army in Maryland, but what we hear is always good. I should think the Yankees ought to be tired of being whipped by this time, and am hopeful our many victories will cause them to open their eyes, and acknowledge our independence. Sometimes I think there is some chance of seeing you soon and then the chances look as dark as ever.”

On September 19, 1862 from Richmond he writes that he just received two letters from his wife. He believes it is doubtful he gets a position. He tells of how different he looks now, and that even friends passing by do not recognize him, that, “my moustache is very long- it meets under my chin, and when I twist them out, they give me a pretty fierce look. Confound the war- why don’t the Yanks give up- don’t they see the folly of attempting to conquer the South-“.

Letter dated September 24, 1862 from Richmond he tells that he is sending a picture of himself and his friend Ned that was taken at Camp McDonald. He writes, “Mine is very good but no one could know me since my beard is off & a ferocious moustache instead”.  He will be going before a board of examiners as he is applying for a position in the Ordnance Department.  On the war, he writes, “I am afraid you all will think we got badly whipped in Maryland- I am greatly amused at the Yankee accounts, for they, by their reports have completely routed us, and broken the backbone of Rebeldom, on the contrary but we gave them a severe drabbling, which you will find will leak out from them before long- we captured Harper’s Ferry with 11,000 prisoners, 1800 horses & quantity of army ammunition too.”

Letter written from Lacey’s Springs on November 19, 1862 he writes that he was recently dispatched to Staunton, and will likely be stationed between Staunton and Winchester in the near future. On November 20 he added, “It is just one year ago today since I parted from you, my precious wife….it has been the longest year of my life and God grant that we may meet darling before another long year has passed….oh what would I not give if I could only get a good long letter from you to might I know that you & all my friends & family are well- It has been so long since I have heard from my dear wife. I begin to feel anxious and uneasy.”

Letter dated December 16, 1862 is written from Lacey Springs. He writes of how much labor it is in the Commissary Department of a large post, and how the work is, “tedious and confusing when there is much business to be done.” He has been asked to go buy a, ”large number of cattle, have them slaughtered and packed, the tallow and refuse made into candles & soap” and is looking forward to this venture as it gets him out of the office. He tells of the uniforms the men are wearing, that, ”I haven’t worn a white shirt since I left home- I wear dark shirts made of worsted or white cassimere….every man is uniformed pretty much after his own style & with whatever he can get to put on- but after all that they are ‘fighting stock’ & don’t care for looks; I saw the whole Jackson’s Corps as they passed through Strasburg on the way to the vicinity of Fredericksburg….I tell you they were as hardy a set of soldiers as any one ever beheld. That army is composed of the heroes of more than a dozen hard fought battles- men who have suffered all the hardships and trials that any army has ever had to contend with; they were noble looking men and seemed so cheerful & happy as if they had been surrounded with all the comforts of life.” He tells that,” the Yankees came into Winchester and paroled about 50 sick in the hospital & then retreated again- not remaining in the town more than 2 or 3 hours- we hold the town now and took several prisoners on their retreat…..Winter has begun in earnest and I am afraid we are going to have a very severe one. What a terrible time for our soldiers- many of them are thinly clad, badly off for shoes and without tents.” Page 2 continues with, “We have received news of a great battle going on near Fredericksburg….we have repulsed the enemy at every point.” He believes the army will be reinforced by spring, but, “the South has long since given up all hope of Foreign intervention, and has fully determined to fight it out to the bitter end….they may annihilate us, but never can conquer us.” He also wishes they could be together for Christmas.

Letter dated January 30, 1863 is written from Staunton. Smith writes of missing his wife, but happy she is with his parents as they love her as one of their own children. He and a friend have, “made of our minds to go into active service, and intend joining a Cavalry Company….now forming in Richmond….I hope the Company will be placed under Gen’l Stuart’s command for I want to go with him on one of his raids.” Later he writes, “I had just as live fight as a private in the ranks as to be in as an officer, so far as the honor and glory of the thing is concerned….there are just as good men in the ranks as in commission- thousands of men better than I and have all along been serving in the ranks, and there is no reason why I should not too. I have studied & thought over it, thought of the thousand & one hardships that must be my lot, & of the sufferings I must necessarily endure, and have made of my mind to face it all….every man owes a duty to his country which he should meet freely & boldly, and without fear, or without stopping to count the cost or sacrifice…..If we succeed in repelling the invaders I think the mass of the people of the North, will see the utter folly of attempting to subjugate us and be willing to sue for peace…..the truth is, the soldiers of the North have been basely deceived- they enlisted to fight for the union & Constitution of the US, and now they find they are only fighting for the Negro- no sane man of any sense believes now that the old union can be restored….the South can never degrade herself by forming a union with the black hearted wretches who have laid waste our homes, desolated our hearths & robbed us & plundered us like the vilest thieves.”

Letter dated March 14, 1863 he writes, “I have been quite unwell for some time past, but feeling better now.” He tells of a friend who will be joining the same company. He writes, “I have seen a few of the members….and found them very clever & genteel fellows…from all I can learn I judge the company is composed almost entirely of gentlemen. This is a great consideration, and the only reason that decided us to join the company instead for Cavalry, as we first intended.” Later he writes, “I wish I could see some prospect of this war coming to a close- the end seems as far off as it did a year ago. The North will no doubt make gigantic efforts to crush us this summer, but it will all be of no use, they can never conquer the South, tho’ of course they will sometimes (seldom) get the better of us. We can whip them in any open fight where they bring more than 2 to one or even three to one against us; I am sick and tired enough of it. God knows I never want it to end, til it ends right- If I could only have you with me darling I would stand it much better than I am, but that pleasure is denied me and is utterly out of the question. Being in the field all the time I could not see you once a year- furloughs are seldom granted now, and only for a few days.’ He continues to say that some men who did bring their wives out have had to send them back home as the cost of board is so high. He writes more on Sunday morning, the 15^th,  he writes more to tell her he received the items she sent to him, and closes by saying, “I am sick and tired of looking at soldiers- after the war is over I never  want to see another soldier as long as I live”.

Letter from Staunton, dated July 23, 1863 he writes of his great relief to have finally received two letters from his wife dated from May, and how disappointing it was to wait so long, while watching others receive letters from home. He tells of Gettysburg, “Our movement in Pennsylvania did not turn out as glorious or as expected & hoped for, and I have no doubt the northern accounts will represent Lee’s Army as badly whipped and badly demoralized, but I can assure you such is not the case. We whipped the Yankees very badly the 2 first days at Gettysburg, and in the third day it was a drawn battle, both sides suffering very heavily; out army is now in fine spirits and excellent condition, and when the enemy meets us he will find it so….the fall of Vicksburg and Poet Hudson was a great blow to us, and will no doubt prolong the war; but this is the effect it will have- they can’t conquer us & I believe they are fully convinced of the fact long ago; oh how I do wish this cruel war would end, tho’ I never want to see it end till our independence is fully established- I have made up my mind it will last 2 years longer, because I can see nothing to hope for in the mean time.” He later writes, “what a comfort it would be if I could only talk with you one hour, this seems like very little to ask, and yet I would give all I have in this world for that privilege.”

Letter dated August 15, 1863 was written from camp near the Orange county Courthouse he tells of two long marches in extreme heat, and of fording the Shenandoah River. He wrote, “It was about waist deep and it was so warm that most of our Brigade came across without ever pulling off their pants. I took off my clothes and held knapsack & all my clothes above my head & passed over safely. It was really amusing to witness the crossing.”  He writes again of longing to see his wife, but that the end of the war still seems far away. He writes, “We are not strong enough to invade their soil- carefully but we are able to hold our own.” He tells of how the Northern newspapers make it seem that the South is about to give up, but, “How little they know of Southern patriotism & honor, yes and how little they know of our strength and determination- especially when backed by men that prefer death to northern despotism.”

Letter dated September 14, 1863 is from camp near Wytheville, Virginia. Smith tells of all the movements his company had made- from Staunton, to the valley to Strasburg, from New Market then across the mountains to Orange, then Staunton via Charlottesville, and eventually Saltville, where, “the citizens were greatly excited the Yankees whom were reported advancing on this place about 1000 strong. Smith went with the Cavalry for two days to scout for the enemy but there was no sign of them.  He writes, “The Sweet Spring Bath was a treat after a dusty march of 21 miles.” He writes that the Company has about 137 men. 100 horses and 5 guns (4- twelve pound Napoleons and 1 -six pound rifle) and is called the “Otey Battery”. This was named after George Gaston Otey, a resident of Richmond who had formed the battery and then died of battle wounds on May 22, 1862. He writes of a friend named Hugh, who has not been heard from for days and is feared to have been captured by the Yankees, but he feels confident that he is safe.

The two post-war letters are dated April 5 and 14, 1874. Smith writes to his wife as she has travelled with their girls, and he has remained at home with their boys. He writes of how they miss them, and of his conversations and activities with the children.

The love that this couple had for each other clearly shows through this grouping of letters. It is a wonderful historical account, as well as realizing emotions that a soldier would feel as he was away from home at war.  [sm]

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