WARREN LETTER” LAVINA WILLIAMS

" ..... though they was a number of women what traveled with Co B and 

the Battalion, they was no doubt that Ms. Lavinia was of the finest sort. 

Major Rob had brought her on as a Vivandee after the frog custom. 

Twas her job to haul along a hogshead of water for the Tigers when they 

was on the move or struck down sick. She was of a fine moral fiber and 

didnt covort or conduct herself like a lewd woman that we seen here and 

there amongst the army. Some said she had sung in a grogshop down along 

the docks before the War. I dont' know about this, but can attest that 

she could carry a tune an was mighty spry at some of them heart tearin ballads 

that the micks was fond of. Often of an evening she would come down an sing to

 Co B an this was always a treat for us.

All in all she was the finest example of Rebel and was a mighty fine 

soldier.  She often refused to ride in the wagons .. this offered daily 

and could keep a pace with the most brisk walkin Tiger over the long miles. 

Fer her part she had mustered the best of  drill and could move with the best sojers. 

Though the Tiger-Rifles kept close an gentlemanly watch over her, this probably 

werent needed as she packed up a long bladed frog gigger an was right handy with it. 

Though I didnt see it they was those that waggled that she'd kilt a yankee

 up in the valley in a fight. More 'n onc't I seen her put a good bounce

 on a Tiger for brawlin in camp and was not feared to git in amongst them 

that was squabblin.She wore a varied costume  as I recall it was a red 

skirt an she wore a set of reg'lar britches made of the same cloth as our 

pinchbecks. Seems to me she also wore a set of blue britches no an then.

 Her coat was purt near same as ours and she wore a red shirt and a straw hat. 

Seems se wore spats as well ...As the fightin got worse in early '62, 

Major Rob tried to send her and some other ladies back to N'Oleans. 

She were gone fer a bit but back she come an she stayed with Co B.

 till the end when we was busted up.  Never heard what 

had become of her but some years later they was some waggle that she 

had married a fellar in N'leans. I always had wondered ifn she had tolt 

him of her times as a vivandee with Maj Rob and usn madcaps ........ "