Difference between revisions of ".MTU1NA.MjU5MQ"
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road about three miles below us & that our | road about three miles below us & that our | ||
− | troops were there passing by our | + | troops were there passing by our front gate. |
We hastened up each carrying buckets of water | We hastened up each carrying buckets of water | ||
Line 149: | Line 149: | ||
th, [?] & the two Mr. Redds rode up | th, [?] & the two Mr. Redds rode up | ||
− | to speak to me. Willie B & the Capt were | + | to speak to me. Willie B & the Capt were in |
− | + | front but did not stop. I suppose did | |
see me. I was at times entirely sur- | see me. I was at times entirely sur- | ||
− | rounded by horses & | + | rounded by horses & tin cups. All the boys |
were well & entirely [uninjured?] very [?] | were well & entirely [uninjured?] very [?] | ||
− | [thirsty?], & dirty but bright, cheerful & [?] | + | [thirsty?], & dirty but bright, cheerful & [entirely?] |
Line 167: | Line 167: | ||
unhurt. So many soldiers were around | unhurt. So many soldiers were around | ||
− | me asking for water | + | me asking for water wh I cd not [delay?] |
− | giving & the column was passing [?] | + | giving & the column was passing [rapidly?] |
on, so I had very little chance of talking | on, so I had very little chance of talking | ||
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Mr. Scott who was wounded but not severe | Mr. Scott who was wounded but not severe | ||
− | ly on the forehead. | + | ly on the forehead. Horace seemed to think |
he was not much distressed by it as it | he was not much distressed by it as it | ||
Line 189: | Line 189: | ||
by this time. [?] was looking rather | by this time. [?] was looking rather | ||
− | thin but | + | thin but handsomer than I remembered him. |
− | + | Horace had beard about [?] inches long all over | |
− | his face | + | his face [skin?] was covered thick with [dust?] |
[?] gave him rather a peculiar appear | [?] gave him rather a peculiar appear | ||
− | ance. Mr. Lee | + | ance. Mr. Lee Redd's appearance covered |
with dust & dirt, hair, brows, & every thing | with dust & dirt, hair, brows, & every thing | ||
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on Mr. Booker's porch. All day long [Tuesday?] | on Mr. Booker's porch. All day long [Tuesday?] | ||
− | [Wednesday?] & Thursday we heard | + | [Wednesday?] & Thursday we heard rapid |
− | & constant firing & today | + | & constant firing & today can still hear |
− | + | it every now & then I wish so much that | |
− | I could again hear that | + | I could again hear that all were safe. |
− | I wrote to Mrs. Booker that night but | + | I wrote to Mrs. Booker that night but fear |
− | my | + | my letter has not yet been able to go. Some |
Line 248: | Line 248: | ||
& had been sent on to Richmond. & [Randolph?] of [Charles] | & had been sent on to Richmond. & [Randolph?] of [Charles] | ||
− | passed. Some soldiers came in at nine for | + | passed. Some soldiers came in at nine for water & to get |
− | meat cooked. You may imagine how nervous we | + | meat cooked. You may imagine how nervous we were |
[?] I was too [?] [?] [?] to feel it much [?] when they | [?] I was too [?] [?] [?] to feel it much [?] when they | ||
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left. I have not yet gotten over the terrible soreness produced by | left. I have not yet gotten over the terrible soreness produced by | ||
− | my exertions. | + | my exertions. Next morning before breakfast cousin Ed- |
ward Grady came. He had been sent back as [courier?] to the | ward Grady came. He had been sent back as [courier?] to the | ||
− | [Captain?]. He is looking very well, says the ball [ | + | [Captain?]. He is looking very well, says the ball struck [P...?] |
− | [ | + | [?] near the elbow [running?] up the arm for two or three |
− | inches | + | inches tearing the skin very much but not [touching?] the [?] |
− | He had heard from | + | He had heard from him [?] [Renee?] he was doing well |
& hoped soon to be well, imagined to be moved to Charleston. | & hoped soon to be well, imagined to be moved to Charleston. | ||
− | Trip Powell on Monday was safe & well. If | + | Trip Powell on Monday was safe & well. If still as thin with his Co. He |
passed here, but I am sorry to say I did not see him, we | passed here, but I am sorry to say I did not see him, we | ||
− | [?] is | + | [?] is much excited & coughing as hard. Our view of the line |
closed entirely by the circle around us that I do not wonder at | closed entirely by the circle around us that I do not wonder at | ||
Line 296: | Line 296: | ||
of Richmond. Some thought that they certainly had Peters | of Richmond. Some thought that they certainly had Peters | ||
− | burg. These raiders are fighting most [terribly?]. | + | burg. These raiders are fighting most [terribly?]. [?] [?] & four |
+ | others deserted by the [rest?] [?] the charge of [?] whole reg't | ||
− | ... | + | & afterwards the [?] were only taken after a long chase. They came |
+ | |||
+ | very near us but providentially not to our farm. A Mrs. Camp | ||
+ | |||
+ | bell's, the west plantation, they took everything from Mrs. | ||
+ | |||
+ | [Pollard?] all her horses & three servants & searched the house | ||
+ | |||
+ | all over. From Miss Fannie [Minna?] Cook all her meat | ||
+ | |||
+ | & five sheep & along the [manakin?] road three miles from | ||
+ | |||
+ | us stripped the people entirely. Cousin Ed said he never saw | ||
+ | |||
+ | such destruction of woods, fences, & provisions as there was a | ||
+ | |||
+ | along there. [?] Our loss by fire at Beaver Dam was [?] [?] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [?] [?] [?] had a severe fight with them near [Manakin?] [?] but cd | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | [sideways across pages 4 and 5] | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | not keep the front from going on to accomplish their object. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It was dreadful to sit here and hear day after day the can | ||
+ | |||
+ | nonading & yet be able to hear nothing from the fight | ||
+ | |||
+ | except a chance [rumor?]. We hear that we have gained glo- | ||
+ | |||
+ | rious victory at Dalton, but can hear nothing but the rumors. | ||
+ | |||
+ | God grant that it may be so, & that our friend Mr. John might | ||
+ | |||
+ | be safe. The girls have been able to hear nothing from their | ||
+ | |||
+ | Brothers. Capt [?] is in the [?], Rob was exchanged & rejoins | ||
+ | |||
+ | his Co the day before the battles began & Agnes has [?] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [?] brothers whom she loves more dearly even than her own, | ||
+ | |||
+ | all of whom are with Lee. It is terrible for them to be there | ||
+ | |||
+ | entirely cut off. I have just heard a train & trust we may | ||
+ | |||
+ | be able tomorrow to get some papers. The only death among | ||
+ | |||
+ | our acquaintances [?] who have heard is that of Willie Randolph | ||
+ | |||
+ | of Clarke. [?] Col of our noble [?] [?]. Do tell me if you see | ||
+ | |||
+ | any others. The [?] Powell you saw was [?] Brother. |
Latest revision as of 21:29, 14 February 2016
This transcription has not been verified by Special Collections Research Staff. Please also consult images of the document.
Forest Hill May 13th, 1864
My dearest Sister,
We are still I fear cut off
from communication with the outside
world but I will begin my letter [?]
soon to be able to send it. I reckon that you
are quite uneasy about your little sister
here in the midst of our yankee friends.
I assure you, altho I have been blessed
with the sight of them only as prisoners,
I have been no little excited by them.
Monday night we could plainly see the
flames from our burning stores from
Beaver Dam. Tuesday morning we were a-
wakened at five by [distant?] volleys of mus-
ketr, & about eleven more intensely exci-
ted by seeing our Maj Gen flying down
the road. Five or six came on, told us they had
been fighting ever since twelve the night
before, being only 200 strong had been obli
ged to fly & even then going to the [?]
to join their infantry & artillary there to make
a stand. That the yankees 1,000 strong &
[chiding?] 200 negros (pressed in the rear by Stuart & Lee) were only half an hour
behind them. Their loss had been great
[Page 2]
and all were much expected. After they
left we busied our selves in sending
stock of all kinds off & concealing our
valuables. Mr. S and the boys went off the woods
& we took our stations in our rooms. Agnes
came up here with me momentarily ex
pecting the enemy but [?] mind to save
as much as possible. As the day passed on
however & they did not come we composed
ourselves & went to sewing. We did not hear
anything now [?] except that Stuart & Lee
were pressing their rear (fighting there all day) until five when
half a day soldiers rode up, told us the Yan
kees had [?] off into the mountain
road about three miles below us & that our
troops were there passing by our front gate.
We hastened up each carrying buckets of water
with us and stood there handing water to
our dear wearied, dirty soldiers from that
tie until night. Often our water gave out
& the wearied servants could not bring it
fast enough so we carried the buckets
from the house (100 yds) ourselves, & once
I even went to the spring with one I was
simply repaid for any exertion by seeing
the eagerness with how they received it &
[Page 2]
their gratitude. We heard one say who
so could not fight & many blessings were
poured upon our heads. Poor fellows
they said they had then been fighting
for seven days & neither men nor horses
had had anything to eat since the
morning of the day previous. Gen Stuart
passed & stopped to tell the girls of the
safety of their cousin Frank. I was at the
house & did not see him. I little thought
that he wd be so soon taken from us.
We had heard constant musketry some
times so rapid that we could not speak
because the volleys muffled every word
& then with the booming of cannons. We are
of course very very anxious about one [?]
[great?] there was every relief and joy when
as the 3rd passed Willie Dupuy, Horace Boo
th, [?] & the two Mr. Redds rode up
to speak to me. Willie B & the Capt were in
front but did not stop. I suppose did
see me. I was at times entirely sur-
rounded by horses & tin cups. All the boys
were well & entirely [uninjured?] very [?]
[thirsty?], & dirty but bright, cheerful & [entirely?]
[Page 4]
unhurt. So many soldiers were around
me asking for water wh I cd not [delay?]
giving & the column was passing [rapidly?]
on, so I had very little chance of talking
much with the boys, who only stayed
two or three minutes. We had only
had one man wounded, our friend
Mr. Scott who was wounded but not severe
ly on the forehead. Horace seemed to think
he was not much distressed by it as it
wd get him a furlough. I hope he is at home
by this time. [?] was looking rather
thin but handsomer than I remembered him.
Horace had beard about [?] inches long all over
his face [skin?] was covered thick with [dust?]
[?] gave him rather a peculiar appear
ance. Mr. Lee Redd's appearance covered
with dust & dirt, hair, brows, & every thing
[white?], was very different from his look
on Mr. Booker's porch. All day long [Tuesday?]
[Wednesday?] & Thursday we heard rapid
& constant firing & today can still hear
it every now & then I wish so much that
I could again hear that all were safe.
I wrote to Mrs. Booker that night but fear
my letter has not yet been able to go. Some
[Sideways across page 1]
of the Cos had lost very heavily before passing here. Col [?]
had been wounded but not severely. More [?] prisoners
passed. I gave water to several who asked for it but where
one of our Va bunch asks at the same time of course gave
the preference to our own. You might to have seen the in-
fighting and contemptuous manner with which one finely asked
[?] fellow scurried off when I did so. one [?] had a
most horrible countenance. Wickham's, & some of Beagrds
were the ones who passed here; as the latter passed I looked
out most anxiously for Powell, but cd not see him. Upon
inquiring I found that he had recd a painful but not very
dangerous wound in the battle of the previous Thursday
& had been sent on to Richmond. & [Randolph?] of [Charles]
passed. Some soldiers came in at nine for water & to get
meat cooked. You may imagine how nervous we were
[?] I was too [?] [?] [?] to feel it much [?] when they
[Sideways across pages 2 and 3]
left. I have not yet gotten over the terrible soreness produced by
my exertions. Next morning before breakfast cousin Ed-
ward Grady came. He had been sent back as [courier?] to the
[Captain?]. He is looking very well, says the ball struck [P...?]
[?] near the elbow [running?] up the arm for two or three
inches tearing the skin very much but not [touching?] the [?]
He had heard from him [?] [Renee?] he was doing well
& hoped soon to be well, imagined to be moved to Charleston.
Trip Powell on Monday was safe & well. If still as thin with his Co. He
passed here, but I am sorry to say I did not see him, we
[?] is much excited & coughing as hard. Our view of the line
closed entirely by the circle around us that I do not wonder at
not seeing anyone. Frank Grady, suspected first of be
ing a spy has been tried by Court Martial & condemned to
[close?] confinement for the war. [Thus?] the [?] of [prison?]
tho he is now allowed the [?] [?] of Baltimore. Gordon's [Brigade?]
and some say Hampton's followed the yankees down the mountain
road. The prisoners had been told that they were in possession
of Richmond. Some thought that they certainly had Peters
burg. These raiders are fighting most [terribly?]. [?] [?] & four
others deserted by the [rest?] [?] the charge of [?] whole reg't
& afterwards the [?] were only taken after a long chase. They came
very near us but providentially not to our farm. A Mrs. Camp
bell's, the west plantation, they took everything from Mrs.
[Pollard?] all her horses & three servants & searched the house
all over. From Miss Fannie [Minna?] Cook all her meat
& five sheep & along the [manakin?] road three miles from
us stripped the people entirely. Cousin Ed said he never saw
such destruction of woods, fences, & provisions as there was a
along there. [?] Our loss by fire at Beaver Dam was [?] [?]
[?] [?] [?] had a severe fight with them near [Manakin?] [?] but cd
[sideways across pages 4 and 5]
not keep the front from going on to accomplish their object.
It was dreadful to sit here and hear day after day the can
nonading & yet be able to hear nothing from the fight
except a chance [rumor?]. We hear that we have gained glo-
rious victory at Dalton, but can hear nothing but the rumors.
God grant that it may be so, & that our friend Mr. John might
be safe. The girls have been able to hear nothing from their
Brothers. Capt [?] is in the [?], Rob was exchanged & rejoins
his Co the day before the battles began & Agnes has [?]
[?] brothers whom she loves more dearly even than her own,
all of whom are with Lee. It is terrible for them to be there
entirely cut off. I have just heard a train & trust we may
be able tomorrow to get some papers. The only death among
our acquaintances [?] who have heard is that of Willie Randolph
of Clarke. [?] Col of our noble [?] [?]. Do tell me if you see
any others. The [?] Powell you saw was [?] Brother.