My dearest Mother,

     I take this opportunity, the first I have had, to relieve your mind in regard to Herbert [i.e., Thomas Herbert Shriver]. I did not get to hear of his having joined the army until the 24th of July, and I at once applied for leave of absence to go see him and got off on the 26th -- I went to Lexington & got my horse with the intention of following the army until I could find him I rode to Staunton from there to Waynesboro to Charlottsville & from there to the army having to traverse all the country around before I could find him the army moving at the time -- I finally succeeded in finding him near Fredksburg [i.e., Fredericksburg] -- I stayed two days in Gen^l Steuart's [i.e., Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart's] Qrs & he spoke very kindly of all of you & said Father [i.e., William Shriver] was the greatest old Reb he had seen for some time -- He said Herb had acted very bravely in every instance -- I also saw Gen^l Fitzhugh Lee, and got from him a pass for Herb to pass the Guards with -- When I told him that I was going to take Herb, away he said he was very sorry to hear it, that he considered him one of the best

soldiers he had, but when he heard my intentions in regard to him, he agreed with me that it was the very best thing I could do for him & he would not desire to influence Herb to remain -- The Lt (Dorsey) comd'g co [i.e., Lt. Gustavius Warfield Dorsey, Co. K, 1st Virginia Cavalry] also said about the same thing, indeed I never heard anyone spoken more flatteringly of, than one & all from the privates to the Gen^l comdg spoke of him -- They all seemed to have taken a great fancy to him & he to them. He disliked to leave very much indeed cried when he came away from them.
     I hardly knew Herb when I first saw him he has grown so much & he looked so sun burnt & rough -- He seemed mighty glad to see me too. He said he should not have known me at first & thinks I have altered -- I had just shaved off all my beard except moustache about a month before & it is just coming out again, which of course makes considerable change in me & then I was dressed like one of our cavalry -- (Wool shirt & Pants &c) & pretty rough generally, as I had been in the army for some six days & had been roughing it with

all the rest. & I suppose was very much Sun burnt as well as dirty. Herb seemed to like the life of a cavalryman very much He has been in four fights & took three prisoners & from all a/cs fought very bravely -- He seems considerably disgusted with southern chivalry & well he may, for I tell you a camp is awfully demoralizing & no matter who it is they become more or less tinged with the general failing -- He has not seen enough to know much, not at least as much as I know -- my experience has been considerable --
     Now let me tell you what I am going to do with Herb. I got him an appointment in the Va Military Institute at Lexington Va. I got it through the influence of our old Uncle Jacob [i.e., Jacob Sherman Shriver] -- I had to go there for my horse which I had bought some 6 weeks ago & I thought I would do all I could to get him in there -- This is their vacation or time for giving furloughs & those not on furlough are in camp near the Institute -- I knew it would be very difficult to get an appointment as it is such an excellent school & so many applicants -- but I determined to try & as good Luck

would have it one boy was expelled the very day I got there so I made application at once & got it -- The school has only 50 cadets free and they must be from Va, thats the Law,-- they however have always taken about up to 100 as pay cadets -- and this last year it ran up to 300 -- & this year it will be 400 -- & I hear that at least 400 applicants have been rejected the last month, so you may know how popular the School is -- It is on the principle same as West Point & considered much more complete and thorough,-- more attention paid to the classics -- & the school of the soldier quite as complete. I got him from the appointment on two grounds, first as being a Marylander & no Marylander having been appointed & then on a/c of his youth & having joined the army & been in 4 fights &c & having left home &c -- I got it in an hour after I made the application -- I dont believe any one but Uncle Jacob could have gotten it for me -- He was exceedingly kind and I feel very grateful to him for his kindness -- Herb wants & dont want to go -- but every one agrees with me that it will be the best thing possible for him & then I know it will be such a relief to you to know that he is out of danger as well