This is a letter written by Lieutenant Nelson S. Walker of F Company, 2nd Battalion Mississippi Infantry to his cousin, D. G. Walker back in Mississippi. The letter is dated December 19th, 1861 and the Lt. is writing from Camp Magruder in Yorktown, Virginia. Lt Walker acknowledges receiving a letter from his cousin while he was in Richmond. He states that his unit was ordered to leave Richmond on 6 December and join General Magruder in Yorktown. They bordered the Star North Hampton at a wharf in Richmond and moved on the James River to a small landing called Groves Wharf, from there they marched about 8 or 9 miles to their new camp location. He tells of losing one man in Richmond to poor health, a John Herbert, and that he was buried with military honors. Walker goes on to explain his chain of command, LTC J.G. Taylor is the battalion commander, a former US Army officer. His company officers are Lieutenant Regan commanding, Lieutenant B. F. McClellan and then himself. He tells of Major Wilson, his former company commander being presented with a sword by the company before they left Richmond, and how it cost a whopping $74! Wonder what it's worth today! He also says that the entire battalion has been issued Enfield rifles with rear sights marked up to 1100 yards. They are expecting an advance by the enemy any time and are ordered to sleep on their arms and have one day's cooked rations in their haversacks. Walker tells of the company having comfortable living conditions, fair weather and that he shares a tent with Lt McClellan. A few of the company men are in the Richmond hospital, but are not seriously ill. The 2nd Battalion Mississippi Infantry was formed in the summer of 1861 with six companies. In November of 1862 additional companies were added and the unit became the 48th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. It fought in the Army of Northern Virginia and was engaged at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cold Harbor, the Siege of Petersburg and at Appomattox. Lieutenant Nelson S. Walker enlisted on 1 April, 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into F Company on the same day. Walker was promoted to Captain 12 October and took over command of E Company. He survived the war and surrendered on 9 April, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. This is a very early war dated letter, when Walker and those with him thought the North could not defeat them. The context of the letter is very interesting and engaging. The hand writing is very clear and legible. There is very little punctuation used in the letter, which makes it a little difficult to read at times. This is a very early war dated letter from a Mississippi soldier to his cousin back in Mississippi. It would really add greatly to any document collection.

Print Email to a friend