Near West Augusta in Augusta County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
“Wee are faring badly…”
Camp Shenandoah
April 9th, 1862
My Dear Penelope,
I take the opportunity this morning to write you a few lines to let you know that I am yet in the land of the living and enjoying good health. I thought last week that it was done snowing up here, but wee are now having an awful time certain. The citazens say this is about the last snow that will be here this spring. It is sleeting now fast & sleet is about 4 inches deep now. Wee are faring badly now in tents, I assure you. Cant stay by the fire much on account of the sleet. Wee expect to have a fight here in the corse of the next thee weeks; think the yanks will follow us up. The top of this mountain is a strong place; it will be hard for them to drive us with a superior force. I got three letters from William since I got to camp and 2 from you. He writs that heel start home the 20th of this month with Capt. Hawkins for the camp. I hope heel be able to stand it this time, for I don’t want him here sick; it’s the poorest place for a sick man I ever saw. I cant write any more now, Dear. When the weather gets better Il write more. Give my love to all.
I am yours,
Shep
Erected by U.S. Forest Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1873.
Location. 38° 18.733′ N, 79° 23′ W. Marker is near West Augusta, Virginia, in Augusta County. It can be reached from U.S. 250, on the right when traveling west. Part of the “Confederate Breastworks Trail” at Fort Edward Johnson. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Augusta VA 24485, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: “It was cold business…” (within shouting distance of this marker); Healing the Wounds

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 8, 2021
2. “Wee are faring badly…” Marker
The marker has significantly weathered but remains legible.
More about this marker. On the right side of the marker is a sketch depicting soldiers on picket duty.
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.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,228 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. 2, 3. submitted on May 8, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 4. submitted on March 6, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.


