July 1st, 1862
My dear Wife
God has spared me through another day’s fight. We drove them again from their position [at Frayser’s Farm], taking one General, McCall, and two batteries of fine rifled guns. My Brigade took one of them and drove the enemy until after dark, holding the field until 3 A.M. this morning when we were relieved. We have marched from the flank and are after them on their flank as they retreat. They have destroyed immense stores. Their rout has therefore been complete. We have had four big fights with them and none of which my Brigade has taken part. We are still after them, Magruder is in our front and Jackson is coming up. I must close. My arm is much better.
My love to you all. May God protect us.
Your devoted Husband
Sources: William Hassler, ed., One of Lee’s Best Men: The Civil War Letters of General William Dorsey Pender (Chapel Hill, NC: University of North Carolina Press, 1999). William Dorsey Pender papers, Southern Historical Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill. http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/inv/p/Pender,William_Dorsey.html
