Letter from Baker Thompson to sister, mentions "H.C."

Letter from Colonel Thompson after the Battle of Manassas

(Historical Context: The Battle of Manassas was fought July 21, 1861 and was the first great battle of the war and a resounding Confederate victory. “H. C.” (Harper Carroll) was also at the battle, though Baker and H.C. did not meet. Although Harper would not marry Baker Thompson’s sister Ella until June, 1863, he knew the Thompson family because his oldest brother Charles was married to Caroline Thompson. It is likely that Baker Thompson felt especially solicitous of Harper because of this family connection and because Harper was an exile from his home state of Maryland. It is interesting that Baker chose to abbreviate Harper’s initials. He may have suspected that letters from the Confederacy were being read by the military government in Baltimore and that Harper, a citizen of a Union state, was considered by that government to be a traitor. Baker also only referred to “My Dear Sister” rather than using his sister’s given name.)

(In Boy Soldiers of the Confederacy, by Susan R. Hull, p. 235.)

Camp McGregor, August 15

My Dear Sister:

Were it not for the pressing duties and worrying inconveniences of this life, I would write you often. We were under arms all yesterday expecting an attack. Let it come! I was at the fight at Manassas. Our brigade gave the coup-de-grace. We converted their retreat into a rout, after marching in quick (presto, presto) time, seven miles, to reinforce the left wing. We marched a mile under their rifle battery but without damage. Our rifled cannon made their field officers take the fences at the very first discharge. Lindsay Walker, who manned the Pawnee, fired the first shot from our brigade, and it fell right into a close column retreating in fair order, scattering them in every direction. I have seen nothing of H. C. – would I might have an opportunity to do him some favor.

J. B.T.