Near West Augusta in Augusta County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
“It was cold business…”
| — | Confederate Breastworks Trail | — |
Photographed by Robert H. Moore, II, February 27, 2009
1. "It was cold business" Marker
February 23, 1862
My Dear Penelope,
I write a few lines this morning to let you know that I am well & doing as well as I have since Iv been in the service.
Well, Dear, wee had an alarm Friday knight about two oclock, and the way wee got around quick untwill we were all way ready was a site. The regiment formed & was ready in ten minutes. March up to the intrenchments, got in the ditches and they were hald full of snow. It was cold business, sure. I marked time for three hours to keep my feet from freezing, but when the day dawned wee did not have to fight; I don’t want to fight as long as wee can do as well without it. I don’t want to be shot at; some of them stand a good chance to hit a fellow. I want to see the close of the war & live at home a free man once more.
Give my love to all my friends. Kiss the babies for me.
I am yours,
Shep
*This letter was actually written from Camp Allegheny, but was included because of Lt. Pryor’s description of going into battle.
Erected by Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1873.
Location. 38° 18.711′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 13 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fort Edward Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Fort Johnson (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Breastworks Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); “The Shenandoah Mountain Pass is grand indeed…” (within
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 8, 2026
2. “It was cold business…” Marker
The marker has weathered but remains generally legible.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Breastworks Interpretive Trail (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. On the right is a photo of Penelope Pryor with her children.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 2, 2010
3. "It was cold business" Marker
Photographed by J. J. Prats, May 2, 2010
4. View Downhill from This Marker
The earthworks are visible in the foreground. The distant monopole marker is Z-110, a county line marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,543 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2. submitted on August 8, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on May 5, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
