(Excerpts from a letter written just after the battle of Gettysburg, on the march—dated July 7th, 1863. Camp near Williamsport, Maryland.) “Dear Papa, “Since the 13th of June, inclusive, there has not been a day on which we have not marched. Our battery and two guns of McGregor’s were with the cavalry, Fitz and [...]
“ORANGE C. H., June 27th, 1863. “. . . I was very glad to get your note of the 18th June, and only wish I knew where you were now. We are all an anxious set of women at present. Mrs. Gordon (J. B.) leaves to-day for Winchester to try and hear something of her [...]
(excerpts) RECTOR’S X ROAD, June 18th, 1863. “Dear Mama, “I have written L. twice in the last two weeks and the reason I did not write you after the fight (Brandy Station) was that you were so close (Orange C. H.) I did not think you would feel uneasy at not hearing from me. The [...]
(excerpt) May 17, 1863 “I send you, with our letters, a pound of candy and a box of Guava jelly which was given me. I know you have no sugar, and I have no doubt that although you will laugh at the idea you will nevertheless enjoy the sweets. Mrs. McLean (Gnl. Sumner’s daughter) has [...]
(excerpt) “I have just come up from witnessing the funeral procession of dear ‘old Stonewall.’ I never saw a more solemn scene and hope never to see another such. This morning early I went to the Governor’s and saw the body lying in state. He looks perfectly natural, more as if he were asleep than [...]
(excerpts) RICHMOND, May 15th. ” . . . Lieut. J. called to see Mama and delivered both the letter and the overcoat. The letter was by far the most welcome of the two, as we had heard so little from you since the battle. . . . Though your first letter written by moonlight on [...]
(excerpt) May 11th, 1863. “We are all saddened to the heart to-night by hearing the death of our hero Jackson! In addition to our own irreparable loss, it will put new life and courage into our cruel foe. It will cause mourning all over our land and each person seems to feel as if he [...]
May 2, 1863 “We have had a glorious fight this afternoon. Drove the Yankees from the start and kept them going as fast as we could follow until dark. Major Beckham and Capt. Breathed and I were with my Howitzer which was the first piece of Artillery fired. The fight began about half past five. [...]
“KNOXVILLE, Tenn., “Feb. 14th, 1863. “My dear Wigfall: “I have several times taken the liberty of asking you by telegraph to try to get R. A. Howard made Brig. Genl., Schleicher made a Capt. of Engineers and the McLean, of Bull Run, in whom you and Mr. Clay were so much interested, put into the [...]
The following correspondence contains wording that is offensive to many in the world of today. However, the correspondence is provided unedited for its historical content and context. (excerpts) from Camp near Chesterfield Station: “. . . My home is in a wild pine grove and sweetest melancholy, poesy’s child, keeps watch and ward over my [...]
CHATTANOOGA, Jany. 26th, 1863. “My dear Wigfall: “I have asked the government by telegraph if any additional troops, new or old, can be furnished for Bragg’s Army, but have had no reply. Will you suggest to Mr. Seddon that we are in a very critical condition in Tennessee? The enemy has fully supplied his losses, [...]
“JACKSON, Jany. 8th, 1863. “My dear Wigfall: “Mrs. Johnston, who arrived evening before last, brought me your letter, which had come to Chattanooga before she left it. Your military criticism has been more strongly called for since the writing of that letter. And no doubt it has been made. I can’t help thinking myself that [...]
“CHATTANOOGA, Dec. 15, 1862. “My dear Wigfall: “On my return from Murfreesboro’ a day or two ago I had the pleasure to find your letter, and the President. The latter is on a military tour, and has taken immediate command in this country. Unless he is greatly mistaken Mr. Seddon has not carried our point [...]
“December 8, 1862. “My dear Sir: “I have just received a letter from Genl. Johnston which causes gloomy forebodings as to our future in the West. Pemberton, he says, has fallen back before a superior force and he, Johnston, is ordered to reinforce him with troops from Bragg’s command. Consider the position of their different [...]
(excerpts) “Dec. 5th, 1862. ” . . . We are all painfully anxious about Fredericksburg. It has been raining hard all day and hailing this evening, and if there has been no advance yet I think Burnside will have little chance of doing anything this winter. . . . Genl. Johnston carried quite a numerous [...]
“CHATTANOOGA, “Dec. 4th, 1862. “My dear Wigfall: “After a perilous journey, I arrived a little after twelve last night, having been delayed by three railroad accidents. A telegram from the Ad. Genl. urges me, in the name of the President, to reinforce Pemberton, who ‘has fallen back from his positions by advance of very superior [...]
“RICHMOND, Nov. 26th 1862. ” . . . Genl. Johnston1 got his orders only day before yesterday. He is to have command of the three armies of Bragg, Kirby Smith and Pemberton, but not West of the Mississippi, as I understand. He expects to get off on Saturday, and his wife goes with him.” General [...]
(excerpts) “CAMP, near Fredericksburg, Nov. 23rd, 1862. ” . . . We reached here on yesterday afternoon, having left Culpeper on Wednesday about twelve o’clock. We were on the road three days and a half, and it rained every day but the last. So you see that we have been enjoying ourselves. The Yanks were [...]
(excerpts) “DIV. HD. QRTS. “Near Culpeper, Nov. 17, ’62. “My dear Genl.: “I wish you would let me know so soon as you are informed that the new Regiments are on their way to Richmond. If they came on as independent Regiments I wish to recommend a Brig. Genl. For them. “If I can I [...]
(excerpts) “CAMP near Culpeper, “Nov. 15th, 1862. “As Capt. Bachman is going down to Richmond on business I take this opportunity of ‘tellin’ ’em huddy fur me, an’ ask ’em for sen’ me sumfin.’ As this is a strictly business letter I will proceed to enumerate the articles desired. Primo, one large black valise. Item, [...]
(excerpts) “November 14th. “Mama sends you by Capt. Sellers the buffalo robe and blanket and also a cake of soap, which will be sufficient for present emergencies—and as soon as another occasion offers she will send some more. Mama says as soap is $1.25 a cake you must economise! Capt. Sellers will also take the [...]
November 9, 18621 “We had quite a snow-storm day before yesterday, and it is still very cold. I am afraid our poor soldiers will suffer dreadfully from the weather this winter, as I heard yesterday that we had upwards of 10,000 men without shoes! “Genl. Johnston2 is improving, and speaks of reporting for duty in [...]
“CULPEPER C. H., Nov. 7th, 1862. “My dear General,1 “Your kind favor of 17th ulto. was duly received. I have been waiting to have your son’s decision before writing. “I heard yesterday that you and the President had had an unpleasant interview. It is no business of mine, but I would like to take the [...]
(excerpts) “I had a very pleasant visit to Rosser’s Camp where I spent the night. On my way down I met Genl. Stuart and stopped and had some conversation. He was in as high spirits as ever, and told me particularly to tell you, when I wrote, that in his recent raid into Pennsylvania he [...]
“EXECUTIVE MANSION, “RICHMOND, Va., “Oct. 11, 1862. “GENL. L. T. WIGFALL, “My dear Sir: “It has been suggested to me1 that you thought Holmes had failed in his duty at Malvern Hill, by being too slow in getting into position, and in that connection I wish to say to you that he was ordered up [...]