Richmond, Va. Aust. 9, 1862
Dear father I take the opertunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I am well at this time and hop theas few lines may find you all agoing for the blessing of life. I got to Richmond on the 7th of this instant I could not get of from this terrible by no way that I could apply by no means. I have seen agreat deal sens I left hom. There is a heap of curis things in this world it loks lik the people in run away in wikness there is some few Christian hearted men in camp I think there is some good singing and praying in camp. I am within two miles of the battlefield at the seven pines the pickets run the Yankes backed to ther gunboats on Wednesday be low Petersburg. They expect a battle there. I can’t tell you whear I am station yet I can’t tell you what I hav seen we have no Shelter but the shelter of the allmity’s covering. I thank the that things is as well with me that it is. I have ben her trying to pray for grace and peace you must try to pray fer me when it gos well with you for I nead more grace to sustain me in this army for I can’t tell you when I will get to come back hom in this life I want you to do the best you can with my horses if you can sell my fily do so if you think best if the old man Robin don’t want it too cheep till I com back if it is thy will to bless me with so favorable blessing sell them three beefes when you can and keep the hids. I haven’t got so long to exspress what I hav felt and seen. Yours respectful
Hartwell S. Pool
Sources: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 1. (Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., 2003). Original in Lassiter, Mable, Pattern of Timeless Moments: A History of Montgomery County, North Carolina, 310-311, nd
