Officer on the staff of Confederate Generals Thomas J. Jackson, Richard S. Ewell and Jubal A. Early, who was killed in action following the Third Battle of Winchester in September 1864. Civil War-dated ALS signed “A. S. Pendleton,” three pages both sides, 5 x 7.75, February 29, 1864. Letter to his sister Rose, in part: "Your letter came in due course of mail, and ought to have been answered yesterday, but that I went to Orange C.H. to church, and did not get back until late…The day was pleasant & etc exercise agreeable, so that I enjoyed it, and was fully repaid for the long ride by an excellent sermon from Rev. Richard Davis, Chaplain 6th Va. Cav., on the text 'This year thou shalt die,' addressed especially to the soldiers. His advice was peculiarly relished by the men, when he turned his remarks to the young ladies, and asked them in the midst of their levity to remember that his text was true in all probability of many of those they daily associated with, and implored them to use their influence for good. The congregation was large & attentive. Wm. Wickham was there…His brigade of cavalry is the only one here now, the rest of Fitz Lee's Div'n being furloughed to recruit their horses. He was called out of Church by a courier who states that the Yanks were advancing in force. What it all amounts to we can't tell, as the atmosphere is so murky that we can see nothing from out lookouts. I expect it was only a change of camp or something of that sort, as we have heard nothing of it today. After church I went down to Cousin Mildred Taylor's and sat a few moments…I met Robert Pendleton at Cousin M's. He is the most intense gasbag you ever saw. Talks largely of our brigade & my friend Gen. Lomax &c. &c. ad infinitum, literally, for it did seem as if he never would stop."
He discusses family matters at length, and continues: "We have been looking & praying for rain, but it has not & does not seem likely to come. The ground is dry & dusty, and the roads as good as in midsummer. If the Yankees will only come on now, we can give them a glorious drubbing. I have just given an officer permission to trade papers with the Yankees occasionally, and if I get hold of an interesting one will send it to you. I saw yesterday in Orange C.H....71 Prisoners taken by Mosby. They belonged to 2d Mass Cav. & the odd 1 was a big buck negro fully accoutered in regimentals—'sword & pistol by his side.'" He adds a brief postscript: "P.S. Dispatch just in renders it probably the Yanks are coming." In fine condition, with paper loss to the side of one sheet affecting several words of text. A rare, remarkable letter foreshadowing his death in battle at the age of 23.
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