DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | James B. Weaver letters, 1860-1864

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1862-10-12 Page 01

Rienzi Miss Oct 12th 1862.
This is the blessed Sabbath day.  How very different do I feel today from what I felt ten days ago.  Poor Baker is gone, -my former Commander - and I am left at the head of his broken Regiment.  Poor man.  How earnestly I prayed that he might be spared, and if not, that he might be prepared to meet his God.  Being left solely in command of the Regiment, I could not be with him but a few moments in his last hours.  He knew me, and grasped my hand so warmly.  He said as he was being Carried from the field, "Were it not for my wife, I would as soon die now as at any other time". "I thank God that my Regiment were advancing upon the flying enemies of my Country at the very moment I fell".  O Clara, it is hard to see our old and warm friends fall around us when we are forbidden by stern necessity from even bidding
(Vertically, at top left of page:-)
Excuse this short letter as we have not got our tents up yet & I can only stare a moment to write you Answer this letter & let me know from time to time how you succeed in matters I have suggested to you. Will you forget this in a few days & never think of it again & never write me about it more than once or twice? "By by" your own forever J.B.Weaver.
(At head of page:-)
(100 Kisses now & true)

Saving...

Rienzi Miss Oct 12th 1862. This is the blessed Sabbath day. How very different do I feel today from what I felt ten days ago. Poor Baker is gone, -my former Commander - and I am left at the head of his broken Regiment. Poor man. How earnestly I prayed that he might be spared, and if not, that he might be prepared to meet his God. Being left solely in command of the Regiment, I could not be with him but a few moments in his last hours. He knew me, and grasped my hand so warmly. He said as he was being Carried from the field, "Were it not for my wife, I would as soon die now as at any other time". "I thank God that my Regiment were advancing upon the flying enemies of my Country at the very moment I fell". O Clara, it is hard to see our old and warm friends fall around us when we are forbidden by stern necessity from even bidding (Vertically, at top left of page:-) Excuse this short letter as we have not got our tents up yet & I can only stare a moment to write you Answer this letter & let me know from time to time how you succeed in matters I have suggested to you. Will you forget this in a few days & never think of it again & never write me about it more than once or twice? "By by" your own forever J.B.Weaver. (At head of page:-) (100 Kisses now & true)