Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) to Rose Pendleton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01652 Author/Creator: Pendleton, Alexander Swift (1840-1864) Place Written: Winchester, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 January 1862 Pagination: 3 p. ; 21 x 13.5 cm. Order a Copy
Alexander "Sandie" Pendleton, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson's aide, writes to his sister about his trip to Winchester, Virginia, from Romney, Virginia, where Confederate generals Richard Garnett and William Loring had their winter quarters. Asks her to send him clothes and boots (his shoes had been stolen). Discusses family correspondence and visits. Comments on the children playing around him as he writes. Written during Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign.
Winchester
January 24th 1862
In Sister Sue's room after tea
on Friday evening.
My Dear Rose;
Just arrived from Romney on yesterday afternoon. I am here sitting by Sister Sue at a little table, while Nes lies on the bed, poking fun at both. I am very well though a little sore from a hard ride yesterday. We left Romney yesterday at 11 o'clock & arrived here before 8 last night, having ridden 43 miles and stopped 1 hour on the road - riding at a rate of nearly 6 miles an hour, over 6 ranges of mountains, as long & higher than the ones between Lexington & the R. Alum, with the mud nearly a foot deep the whole way. I
am here for winter quarters, with the [2] Gen'l Garnett's brigade. Gen'l Loring's command remains in Winter Qrs. in and around Romney.
I will write you a full account of our trip shortly. I presume all Lexn has heard from Frank Preston of the harships in front of Bath, and the Col. will dilate on what has occurred since.
I write especially to ask you to get Drawers to have made for me,
and send by the very first opportunity a pair of high shoes. Send by Frank Preston. Tell Deaver he must send them, for I have only the pair I have on & they are borrowed from Col. Baylor. My boots were stolen from me one night on this trip, when I took them off to go to sleep, so I am much in need of the shoes I assure.
I got a letter from Ma [3] the other day, and she seems to be enjoying herself very much. I hope you & Mary may be able to go to see Pa during the winter. It will be very pleasant for you.
Three little girls are making an outrageous racket in here, little Ginnie Burns, about 2 years heigh, is parading in her nightgown, amusing herself by teasing me about being her sweetheart. I can't write any more as I am too lazy, & want to listen to the little children playing, which is quite a novelty in my present experience -
Love to Aunt Anne Rose, & the girls, one and all - and remember me to the servants -
Yr. fond brother
A.S. Pendleton
Miss Rose Pendleton.}
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