Item No. 5797186

A September 1863 letter written by Lieutenant William D. Stone of the 6th Virginia Cavalry. In it, he discusses the evident news of victory from the west following the Battle of Chickamauga, and predicts the arrival of General James Longstreet there “will doubtless change the tide of events, for he has veteran soldiers who have never known defeat.” Stone opens:

Your last letter was received a few days ago while on the march to meet the enemy, but they retired before we met them. Consequently, we did not get into action, but have been on the march several days, which is my excuse for the delay. We are again settled down at the same place near Morton’s Ford on the Rapidan.

He then breaks down the “good news from Bragg’s army.” That fall, General James Longstreet’s two divisions had been detached from the Army of Northern Virginia and moved by rail to General Braxton Bragg’s Army of Tennessee north of Atlanta. Bolstered by the reinforcements, Bragg’s troops earned a bloody victory at the Battle of Chickamauga, September 18-20. Stone writes:

There is no news of importance with this army, but all are perfectly elated with the good news from Bragg’s army, and I am at this moment anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mail to hear further particulars, but must confess I feel some little apprehension from the fact that army has always been so unsuccessful. But Longstreet is there now, which will doubtless change the tide of events, for he has veteran soldiers who have never known defeat.

Near the end of his letter, Stone writes about his “intention of living a bachelor’s life”:

You wrote a good deal about the girls, who in fact bother my mind very little at present, but if any think enough to inquire after me, tell them I am still open to conviction by the power of their charms. That is, “provided” my mind undergoes a change which is not altogether impossible. You & Mollie need not acquaint all the girls with my intention of living a bachelor’s life. Then they would barely respect me, for none but marrying men are popular with them, and I don’t care to be kicked out of society entirely before my time comes of my own choice.

The letter was written in ink on two pages of a letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4” x 10”. The ink is somewhat faded, but still legible. Rough left edge where the sheet was separated from another. Light toning. Creased at the original folds. The full transcript appears below.

Orange County Va, Septbr. 25th 1863

Dear Sue
Your last letter was received a few days ago while on the march to meet the enemy, but they retired before we met them. Consequently, we did not get into action, but have been on the march several days, which is my excuse for the delay. We are again settled down at the same place near Morton’s Ford on the Rapidan.

There is no news of importance with this army, but all are perfectly elated with the good news from Bragg’s army, and I am at this moment anxiously awaiting the arrival of the mail to hear further particulars, but must confess I feel some little apprehension from the fact that army has always been so unsuccessful. But Longstreet is there now, which will doubtless change the tide of events, for he has veteran soldiers who have never known defeat.

You wrote a good deal about the girls, who in fact bother my mind very little at present, but if any think enough to inquire after me, tell them I am still open to conviction by the power of their charms. That is, “provided” my mind undergoes a change which is not altogether impossible. You & Mollie need not acquaint all the girls with my intention of living a bachelor’s life. Then they would barely respect me, for none but marrying men are popular with them, and I don’t care to be kicked out of society entirely before my time comes of my own choice.

Everything is so dull here. There is nothing to write about. Tell Sallie her letter was received yesterday and I will write to her tomorrow or next day. This leaves myself & friends well. Write soon. Direct to Orange Co. Ho. Va, Lomax Brigade. My love to all anxious friends & accept the warmest love of your absent Brother.
Wm. D. Stone