Greene County IL Archives Military Records.....Matlock, James M. September 3, 1862
Civilwar - Letters Co. F., 12th Illinois Calvary Regt.,  
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Betty Silvey irbdgs@cox.net July 21, 2007, 5:18 pm

Civil War Letter
Camp Wool, Martinsburg, VA              Sept 3rd 1862                               
           

Dear Mother,
	I will attempt to write you a short letter this morning, that you may 
know how things is going on in this part of the World Campaign at present.  And 
for a commencement I will state that our boys have all arrived safe and sound at
Camp Wool again.  I was well pleased in deed to see the Company all back once 
more.  The boys have had a gay time up at Paw Paw.  I believe they succedded in 
capturing about fifteen Rebels.  
As you are already aware we are having exciting times in this Department at 
present time.  The hardest battle of the war is now being fought at Manassas and
vicinity.  At last accounts they were still fighting with heavy loss on both 
sides.  Gen Pope is receiving heavy reinforcements every hour and I firmly 
believe that before three days success will come crown our army.  And if our 
forces are lucky enough to gain the victory there it is the opinion of every one
that it will be the winding up of the war in Virginia.  
There was great excitement here this morning occasioned by the report that 
Winchester had been evacuated and that the Rebels under Genl Longstreet had 
occupied the place, which all proved to be a false report.  It is true a part of
our forces have left there and gone where they are more needed.  The Citizens 
were all packing up and getting ready to cross the river into Maryland.  They 
was expecting as soon as they got in possession of Winchester that they would be
right on to Martinsburg.  Our boys were all in fine spirits, and expressed a 
desire that the Rebels might come on so they might have a chance to show them 
the pluck of two Regiments of thoroughbred Suckors.  Our entire force at 
Martinsburg now is about three Thousand, including the following Regiments...
The Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, The Sixty Fifth Ills Infantry, and The One-
hundredreth and Twenty fifth New York Infantry, and Capt Phillips Chicago 
Battery.  We are expecting several more Regiments in this week.
Wednesday morning, Sept 4th.  Since writing the above, I received a letter 
from Cousin Jo Hutchisson.  He tells me that Bro Tom, has enlisted in the one 
Hundreth and Twenty first Ohio Infantry.  It was nothing more than I had 
expected to hear.  I would like much for him to be with me but I expect he is 
in a better Regiment than this.  Though I do not like Infantry, and never would
have enlisted in an Infantry Regiment, I never liked the idea of going a foot.
Cavalry I have noticed are always a great deal more healthy than Infantry, 
exercise on house back I suppose is the cause.  
Lo Reaves is in the the hospital sick though not very bad off.  All the boys 
are getting along fine.  I read a letter from Liz a few days ago.  Tell her 
I will write to her soon.  She stated that you had been to see Mrs. Gilmore.  I
was indeed glad to hear that you had made the acquaintance of my most kind 
friend for she is one of the best hearted good natured women in the world.  I 
never will forget the kindness with which I was treated by her.  And when you 
see her or the Capt again give them my best respects and well wishes and tell 
them that I consider myself under many obligations to them for the many favors 
I have received from their hands.  I will write to them myself soon.  I have 
nothing more to say that will be interesting to anybody and I will close.  
Please write to me soon.  I remain Yours with filial Affections,
                                                         Jas M. Matlock
P. S.  Wednesday night
Lieutenant Colonel Davis of our Regiment left here with two companies of the 
12th Ills Cavalry yeaterday on a scouting expidition and a report came to camp 
this evening that he had a brush with a party of Guerrillas near Bunker Hill,  
some 12 miles south of here. Whether the report is true or not I am not able to
say.  Another Company has gone to him tonight.  We will hear something more 
about it tomorrow.



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