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Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861

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Identifier	bridges_6
Title	Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861
Author	Bridges, Richard C.
Date	31 December 1861
Location	Dumfries (Va.)
Subject	Confederate States of America. Army. Mississippi Infantry Regiment, 11th. Company A
Broader Subject	Confederate States of America -- Archival resources Confederate States of America. Army -- Military life
Description	Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister repenting the decision to volunteer against the wishes of his recently-deceased mother; describes ample foodstuffs and Christmas in the camp.
Transcript	Camp Fisher near Dumfries, Va. January 18th, 1862 Dear Sir: As I have nothing to interest me this evening, I have concluded to write to you. And pass some of my lazy hours in teh most profitable, as well as, the most pleasant manner I know h ow, writing to my friends at home is the most pleasant occupation I have; and if I thought my letters would interest any of my friends, I would spend the most of my time in writing to them. But I know they must prove very dry and dull on account of the dullness of the times. When we were in active service one had something alway to write that would interest a person, but as it is now, we scarcely know anything in camp, much less anything that occurs beyond the guard lines. I have at last come to the conclusion that I would rather be on the tented field than housed in winter quarters as we now are. But as you know it is the nature of man to be always displeased with his present situation; and looking forward for something better. You may think this is my situation. I am now always confined to the same pleasures, duty and scenes, while I was on the tented field, I had a change slmost every week and did not become tired out with the monotonous routine of affairs. But I will hush my complaining. My lot as a soldier has been cast in pleasant places, kind and indulgent officer, pleasant comrades and an unusual degree of good health has been given to me by beneficient Proficence so that I have no reason to complain of the hardships of a soldiers life. I may serve as a soldier for twenty years, but I will never have the same pleasant time that I have had in this my first campaign. My officers have been everything one could wish of an officer. My comrades agreeable and kind and my friends at home untiring in supplying my every wish. So that the weary duties of camp have been in a great degree palliated by the kindness of those around. You have no doubt read an act of Congress allowing 60 days furlough and a bounty to all those who would reenlist for the period of two years. This Act c reated quite a sensation in our camp Many were willing to take it and go home. Whole companies were ready to seize this chance of visiting the dear ones at home and return when their country needed them. But this morning Lieut. Col. Liddell came from headquarters with the news that General Johnson would not permit any of this portion of the Army to take the furlough. I suppose the reason of this is because they are expecting an attack at some early day. I can see no other motive he has. Our Batteries on the Potomac still continue to annoy the enemy about transporting good to the doomed city Washington. Last night about ten o'clock they fired some forty rounds of shot and shell at something passing up the river. It is supposed they sunk whatever it was as she did not pass Cockpit Point. It is said there is a large fleet of sixty sails just below our batteries. What Uncle Abe intends to do with this mighty flotilla I am unable to say. I expect he will attempt to shell out our batteries. Mr. Norman, I have not been enabled to hear from my Seraphima in a long time. I hardly know whether my hopes are realized or not. Is she still unmarried or not? I think I will have to start a correspondence or some fool with more brass than brains and more gab than patriotism will cut me out. It would make me feel like causing a row if I should come home and some stay-at-home broad-mouthen fool had cut me out of my girl. Work a little for me and have it all fixed up for me by the time I come home. Speak a good word for me anyhow. I wish you would write to me and tell me how the property was divided and which are my negroes. Tell Sister M she is due me a letter, and if she does not write soon, I will trouble her wich another. Where are the State Blades? Are they in Winter Quarters? And would you advise me to join them when my term is out here. Write to me and consider this poor and uninteresting letter worthy of at least an answer to your brother, R. C. Bridges P.S. Walt wants to know if the piney woods are as healthy as they were when he practiced out there. Are Charley and Joe Catchings still with the Steele Blades?
Type	text
Original Format	correspondence
Original Collection	Richard C. Bridges Collection
Collection Finding Aid	http://purl.oclc.org/umarchives/MUM01789/
Citation	Richard C. Bridges Collection, Special Collections, University of Mississippi Libraries
Rights	This item is free from copyright and may be reproduced without prior consent.

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Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861

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Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861

Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861