My Dearest Mary-Catherine,

Today we ventured deep into enemy territory in yon valley of the River New. We advanced with much fanfare and bravado, knowing our boys were full-well superior to the enemy riff-raff (who, with recent battle losses, were reeling in disarray!) Alas, our optimism was, perhaps, unfounded. After several skirmishes, the battle seemed headed for stalemate, as neither side was able to gain advantage. When, lo, the enemy suddenly rallied (much to our dismay!) and won two battleground skirmishes forthwith.

At this point, both combatants withdrew from the theater of battle to regroup and make ready for the next glorious phase of battle. During this respite, the enemy’s musical unit, emboldened by their boys’ surprising resurgence, played rousing passages (many on our side watched and listened with rapt awe, as our musical corps was much subdued and lacking passion – as well as talent, some would say!)

As both sides rejoined the battle (although both would thrust and withdraw alternately for much of the engagement), it seemed as though our boys had finally struggled to a seemingly overwhelming advantage, and the battle would conclude with our victory! But God (perhaps displeased by our earlier braggadocio) appeared to reach down from the Heavens and smote our brave contingent where we stood (alas with even with our esteemed captain being stripped of his own weapon!)

Oh, the woe and agony of that defeat! We have lost to the rabble, and are now in full retreat through the desolate valley of the Shenandoah. While we, in full rights, should be humbled by this painful rebuff, many of our boys still hold grandiose ideas of supremacy over that band of hooligans, so garishly adorned in their battle colors of maroon and orange (a hideous sight, as acknowledged by any rational soul!)

So, my dearest, our disgraced lot will soon continue our retreat over Afton pass, and with assuredness will find our eyes moist with disappointment as we survey the lights of glorious Charlottesville (anticipating the warmth of our beds!) down below. Please place a candle in the window for me as I struggle forward in the frigid cold.

Your Beloved,
Reginald Beauregard Farnsworth, III

(With special nod to F4E Hokie for digging up the retreat painting!)
[Post edited by Culpeper Hokie at 11/29/2018 2:23PM]