Benjamin Warren Fair papers, 1861 Aug. 28-1862 June 23.

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Fair, Benjamin Warren. Benjamin Warren Fair papers, 1861 Aug. 28-1862 June 23.

Benjamin Warren Fair papers, 1861 Aug. 28-1862 June 23.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/180766351

Civil War letters from Confederate encampments in Fairfax County and elsewhere in Virginia, addressed to Fair's brother, presumably J.F. Fair, who served as a private in Co. H, Seventh South Carolina Infantry, but was home on medical furlough. Letter, 28 Aug. 1861, Flint Hill, Fairfax, Va., comments on exciting times, with rumors of the Union army advancing and a skirmish at "Fauls Church" [Falls Church] in which Confederate forces from Longstreet's brigade "did very bad shooting, one hole Redge fired at...about twenty paces and did not kill a man." The writer thought there would be one more fight before going into winter quarters and notes that the Yankees were "dying with the [fever]... like Sheep with the black tung" and could not "live down on the Potomac." Fair suggests that every able bodied man from Edgefield should be drafted rather than "flying round coating the girls" and notes that, despite the news of so many marriages, the girls back home should not fear since there "will be plenty of sweatharts left for them all." In closing he sends greetings to John Clisby and tells him "not to take the advantage of a soldier." Letter, 1 Oct. 1861, Vienna, [Va.], reports that Fair had just returned from a march to and from Lewinsville, Va. Fair again speculates that there would be a general engagement before long and offers his brother advice on the proper course to pursue in order to continue his medical furlough and to eventually obtain a medical discharge. He asks that his brother send specific items of clothing, including the Yankee overcoat picked up at Bull Run, but requests that the coat buttons be replaced with Palmetto buttons. Letter, 23 June [18]62, Camp near Richmon[d] or Chickahominy, [Henrico County?, Va.], responds to news from home that their father was willing to provide the money to hire a substitute for Fair, "Tell Father... that.... there is not a man living that could take my place if there is a fight hear and this regmint is in it...." The writer reports that Col. David Wyatt Aiken had returned the previous night with "news that Gen. Stonewall Jackson is or will bea in rear of the enemy in a few days with his [whole force]...." Jackson was to attack on the left, Longstreet or Smith on the right, and the brigade to which Fair's regiment was attached in the center. Fair notes that the Confederates were building "a batery to run down the york railrode...maid slanting in front and...covered with six in[ch] iron...." A postscript reports that "John Swearingen is very sick with the dropsy...."

3 items.

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