I hear that Gen’l Jackson is thought to be in a very serious condition. He will be a great loss to the country #cw150

Camp Gregg, Va.,

May 9^th, 1863

My dearest Wife

I had promised myself to write you a long letter tonight but fear I shall not as my shoulder is a little stiff.  I have been a little under the weather yesterday and today, but feel better tongith since the medicine I took operated.

I hear that Gen’l Jackson is thought to be in a very serious condition. He has pneumonia contracted by wrapping himself in wet towels after he was wounded. He will be a great loss to the country and it is devoutly to be hoped that he may be spared to the country. Some think in his absence Stuart will be made Lt. General, but I hope not. Rhodes it is said has been promoted. The Yankee loss is much greater than I expected. We will probably get from the battlefields at least 25,000 muskets, 10,000 of which probably belonged to our men that were killed, wounded and straggled.

I got today 1 doz. white handkerchiefs brought from Baltimore. I was very sorry to hear that Pamela was sick. I hope she is better. I am so glad that your health is much improved. Honey, excuse this short letter. God bless you my dear wife… My love to all.

Your loving Husband

Source: 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).

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Pender’s Chancellorsville: I was hit … slight bruise by a spent ball which killed a fine young officer standing in front of me #cw150

Camp Gregg, Va.

May 7^th, 1863

My dear Wife

We are back again at the same old camp after eight memorable days. The enemy are all once ore on the other side of the river and may God grant that they may go still further. We have had a terrible time of it and surely I have enough to make one grateful to Almighty God for.

We had the most terrible battle of the war, not because they fought better but because they had such terrible odds and held such a strong position and so well fortified. Hooker thought he had us but Lee is too much for him, and while he was waiting for us in his front we fell upon his right flank and but for night coming we would have cut him to pieces Saturday night. Saturday night he had time to change front and fortify but to no purpose only to make it harder upon us. After five terrible hours commencing 5 AM Sunday, 3^rd, we drove him from his position. I was in the front line to start at them and went through to the last.  Fought my Brigade until the final repulse and then took command of other troops as they came up.

If not before, I won promotion last Sunday and if it can be done I think I shall get it. Our NC troops behaved most nobly. Ramseur covered himself and his Brigade with glory. My Brigade behaved magnificently and got cut up terribly. Six out of ten field officers were hit. Two are dead, Cole and Odell. Cols. Scales and McElroy, Lt. Col. Stowe and Maj. McLaughlin were wounded. Four out of the seven Generals of our Division were hit but none seriously. Hill, Heth, Pender, and McGowan. I was hit the next day while standing behind entrenchments in a miserable skirmish, but it is only a very slight bruise by a spent ball which killed a fine young officer standing in front of me. It is on the right arm near the shoulder.

We took over 6,000 prisoners and between 15 and 2 pieces of cannon and lots of small arms. I will write you more of the fight in my next letter for I am very tired and sleepy now. We only got to camp this afternoon. Gen. Hill is in command of the Corps and I of Archer’s, McGowan’s, Lane’s and my own Brigades. This last is temporary. Stuart commanded the Corps ion the Sunday fight, Gen. Hill being unable to ride horseback and right noble did Stuart do. He is now going after Stoneman’s cavalry. We may have some rest now, at least for a week or so. We had about 30,000 in the fight, and they not less than 65,000. This is Chancellorsville. Near Fredericksburg Sunday afternoon Gen. Lee had about 22,000 and Sedgwick about 30,000. You will have to read closely to understand for our Army had three or four fights, all of which were completely and wholly successful.

Our papers in Richmond made themselves disgustingly ridiculous. Honey, thank your Gracious Father for his great protection to me. My love to you all. I will write again tomorrow or next day. I saw Ham and Willie today. God bless you my dear.

Your loving Husband

 

Source: 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).

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While in service the soldiers are acquiring habits that will be Ruinous to society when the war is over #cw150

Camp Burney, Pitt Co., NC

April the 16^th 1863

Brother, I seat myself to drop you a few lines. My health is good and has been since I wrote to you before. There is nothing strange here that could write you about – times here are pretty exciting — there has been more or less fighting at Washington everyday for the last 3 weeks. We are in camps 25 miles from Washington. Our picket posts in about the same. We can hear the artillery very plainly our guns have sunk two of their gun boats at Hill’s Point five miles below Washington. We hear various rumors here first that Gen. Hill is waiting for the women and the children to get out of the place and two that he is fortifying the place that he will be able to hold it when he should take it. Another is that he is going to starve them out and still another that he is only holding the Yankees off till he can get provisions from Washington and Hyde Countys. I hope he will take the place. The Yankees I learn are getting very uneasy about Newbern, they are moving commissary and other governmental stores to Beaufort. I presume if Hill should Washington then he will try Newbern. We have had a hard little fight today at our picket post a whole Yankee regiment attacked us across the River. We fought them till they brought up a gun boat to lean on us when we had to leave. We got one man wounded –t he ball entered the Jaws one inch from the mouth on the left side and was taken out on the top of the Right Should. How it rapped around the neck without doing any more damage is more than I can see.

I believe every body in and out of the army have come to the conclusion that the war is likely to continue for an Indefinite period of time. All of the soldiers have given up hopes of the War closing. I have given up all hopes for Peace and I have given up all hopes for our country. Starvation will soon be at our doors. While in service the soldiers are acquiring habits that will be Ruinous to society when the war is over. I cant say I am much worse than I arrived in service but I do know that I have done things I would have never thought of doing at home. I got a letter from JC Loftin the other day, he seems to be well. I wish you would inform me what a good house he bought in your section. Let me hear from you.

Yours truly,

D.W. Badgett

Source: Christopher Watford, ed. The Civil War in North Carolina: Soldiers’ and Civilians’ Letters and Diaries, 1861-1865, Volume 1 and original in Badgett Collection, Davidson County Historical Museum.

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they say for you to stay with Larkin…he will mend faster if you will stay #cw150

March 4th 1863

Mr & Mrs Kendrick

Dear Brother & sistor

I now to rite  you a few lines to let you know that we ar all well at present & you dont know how glad we all wer to hear that you had got ther with brother Larkin & found him geting along as well as what he was Father was going to write to you rite of it then your Father & Mother [illeg] & I expect pa will not write for a few days & you a need not be uneasy about Jiminy for he is wel sadisfied & as fat as a birkshire pig & your things are all well taken car of as if you wer there & your Mother a went over yesterday & sond your beds & other things that was in the house & they say for you to stay with Larkin until you can bring him with you & Father & Mother says for you to get all the [illeg] wishes for yo to stay with him I know that he will mend faster if you will stay with him for it would kill him for you to leave him there Catharine I want to know how your fare is & what it cost to get there I must close by begging not to leave brother for I do want to see him so bad I must quit writing for I fere the mail will gon write soon & fail not

yours with  respect

Elizabeth Ann Kendrick

L S. &. M C. Kendrick

Source: Larkin Kendrick Papers, North Carolina State Archives as found on www.ncecho.org

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12-13-2012: William Dorsey Pender wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg #cw150

Note on William Dorsey Pender for today-

During the Battle of Fredericksburg (December 11-15, 1862), Pender’s brigade was posted on Jackson’s front and they repulsed an assault led by Major General Gibbon.  In the fight, Pender was shot in the left arm.  Colonel Alfred Scales later recalled that he noticed Pender’s wound as he rode past the 13^th NC Troops. Scales spoke to Pender who said “Oh, that is a trifle, no bone is broken. I want you to send at least two companies down to the railroad and drive those scoundrels out.” Pender then gave in to his officers who asked for him to receive treatment and let the doctor dress his wound.  Pender then returned to his men.  At the end of the Battle of Fredericksburg, Confederate forces had killed or wounded nearly 11,000 Union soldiers.  Confederate forces lost 608 men killed, including Pender’s brother-in-law and aide, Lieutenant Jake Shepperd, over 4,000 Confederates were wounded during the 4 day battle.

As an interesting aside, the NC Museum of History has several images of the Mannsfield Plantation south of Fredericksburg.  The plantation was the sight of fearsome fighting in Pender’s vicinity during the Battle and North Carolina Artillery crews were responsible for the heavy shelling that decimated the Union forces in the area, including the death of General Bayard near the house.  The plantation property and its slave cabins and other outbuildings were destroyed during the battle and never rebuilt.

Image of Mannsfield Plantation, near Fredericksburg. NC Museum of History collections, 19xx.327.128

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more on the Battle of Fredericksburg: http://www.nps.gov/frsp/fredhist.htm

Map here for a map of Fredericksburg Battlefield areas, including indications of Pender’s position.

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My heart was touched on my journey by the sight of the wounded soldiers on their way home! #cw150

October 11, 1862 [cont’d]

My heart was touched on my journey by the sight of the wounded soldiers on their way home!  My heart goes forth to every soldier but doubly so to them, some on crutches, some with their arms in a sling or their heads bandaged, looking so pale & wan, so utterly unfit for locomotion, & yet so uncomfortable where they were, that I longed to do something for all of them.  One fine looking man, a private but evidently a gentleman, occupied the seat in front of us.  His wife seemed so devoted to him & there was an air of such refinement about him that I longed to know his name.  I could only conjecture that it was Witherspoon.  Had I been sure I would have asked him & entered into conversation with him, but I feared to intrude, for if I was traveling with my wounded husband, I know I would shrink from my interrogatories of strangers.  So I could only look my sympathy & offer him newspapers, etc.  I wish I was not so diffident.  I would so like to have asked him where & how he was wounded.

Got to Raleigh on Tuesday the 7^th.  Found all well.  Attempted but vainly to dissuade sister F from her wild scheme of opening a boarding house.  What infatuation it is!  And so soon after her husband’s death!  I can neither comprehend or have any patience with it—this pretence of Independence—but, Journal, I will say more than I ought.  Some thing we will scarce say “to any,” and all I think of this matter comes under this class.  Patrick alone knows all I do think & feel.  So, Journal, don’t you set yourself up by thinking you are my confidant.  I do not tell you one half I feel.  Some where in the Psalms I think it is there is a text about man’s life being “like water spilled upon the ground.”  And so it indeed seems.

Sophia & her children came down whilst we were there.  Three fine boys she has!  Her youngest is a splendid baby & right well he looks in his Aunt Kate’s old clothes.  The six little dresses I carried him fit well, & sturdy & solid he looks in them.  Mr Turner was to be down the next day to have his head put under medical advice.  Sophia tells me he suffers terribly with it.  Trepanning may be necessary, but I hope not.**

Dined on Thursday at brothers.  His children are attractive as usual.  Kate is growing up a beauty.  Pray God to have her in his Holy keeping.  Saw James Edmondston most unexpectedly, he being there for clothing for his Brigade; says he likes his officers and is well & pleasantly situated.  Poor fellow, I feel for him, so much alone does he seem to be.  I wish he could have a furlough & spend it here with us.  It would do him good.  Mary Livingston, brother’s youngest, is a nice little thing, not so pretty as Laura but better perhaps for it.  Nelly is sweeter & more attractive than ever.  I do love that child.

 

** Trepanning in this instance is drilling a hole in the skull to relieve pressure: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trepanning

Source: Edmondston, Catherine Ann Devereux, 1823-1875, Journal of a Secesh Lady: The Diary of Catherine Ann Devereux Edmondston 1860-1866. Crabtree, Beth G and Patton, James W., (Raleigh, NC: North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1979). http://nc-historical-publications.stores.yahoo.net/478.html

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Hospitals are horrible nuisances and need a thorough overhauling #civilwar150

THE HOSPITALS—The remarks in Congress indicate that these horrible nuisances are to undergo a thorough overhauling.  And from information we have received from various quarters we are satisfied that never was overhauling more deserved.  We know of one gentleman at least who had a wounded son there who is determined to bear his testimony to the flagrant character of the evils.  Let others do likewise.  In the name of all that is generous and just and humane, let us see that the gallant soldiers of liberty, and especially the wounded among them, be treated in the kindest and most skillful manner.

 

–Obs.—

Source: The Greensborough Patriot, September 11, 1862 as found in Confederate Newspaper Project

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You may Believe almost anything you see in the Papers about our fights because they Cannot make it much worse than it really is #cw150

Frederick City, Maryland

Sept 8^th 1862

Dear Companion & Famely

I am well for which I am thankful to God & I hope when these lines reaches you they may find you all well as can be expected.  I have Droped several Lines to you in the Last 10 Days but for fears that they may not reach you I will Drop a Short letter this morning as I Know you are very anxious to hear from me & I fear you may fret yourself too much about my safety.  If I could feel satisfied that you children could reconcile your Selves to what might befall me I could be better satisfied as I think that I am in Discharge of as high a Duty as I could be intrusted with.  As far as I am concerned I am willing to Leave the Result of my fate in the hands of God.  I could be very happy to see you & our Sweet Little Children & I trust & pray that the time is not far Distant when I will be permitted to sit Down together by the fireside as in Days past & gon.

Since we Left Richmond I have been in Several fights—victorious in every one, Driving the enemy before us from Orrange courthouse Va 18 miles north of Gordonsville to this Point, a Distance of some 150 miles.  To be shure we had some hard times.  I have been in 3 or 4 hard fights at & Neare Manasses, Loosing some of my best men.  I had Jas H Fits killed on Friday the 20^th of August, Allso Robt S. McGinnas, Wm Ford & Nathan Reynolds wounded.  On the 1^st of Sept we had a fight neare Fairfax courthouse.  I was struck wit ha shell which knocked me Down but did Not hurt much.  My Loss at this place was Alfred Rhyne Killed, Jacob Costner & George Beem wounded.  Beem had his Leg cut off above his knee.  Costner was Struck with a minie Ball in the left side of his neck, passing through his neck and came out below his Right nipple.  I am fearfrull that Costner & Beem will not Recover.  I talked with Jacob next morning before I left.  He was perfectly Resigned.  I have not hurd from then since.

Deare companion God has been Mercifull to me in Giving me health & protecting me in the hour of battle for which I am truly thankfull.  Let us trust in him as he has Life & Death in his hands.  May he give us Grace to Beare us up under our sore trials.  If you think best you may hire Bill for 2 or 5 months more as you best Judge.  I cannot say how Long we will stay at this place as Jackson keeps his plans to himself & sometimes starts to march One Direction &  turns around & Goes a different Direction.  I Guess he has the yankeys rather by the horns.  I suppose they have Left Baltimore.

The Citizens heare are fighting among themselves.  600 Marylandors came to our flag since we came to this Place.  This is a Delightful country.  We find many Friends heare.  Everything is Cheep, Coffee 55 ct pr lb, shugar 11 ct, Milk & Butter to Give to soldiers.  We have a bad chance to Guet out to Guet such things.

Deare family I suppose you would be truly Glad to see me come home but Let us beare a Little Longer.  This I an important crices.  Now is the pinch, we have the Enemy Terabley Frightened.  Thousands of them will never fight us as well as they have done after being Defeated so often.  We have fought them every time with a Less number than they had but they Never Drove our men 1 inch but was Repulsed themselves & Driven miles, being terabley Disorganised.  Several of the Prisoners told me that there Men would not half of them fight us.  I would like to Give you a full history of all our fights but I have but little time to wright.  You may Believe almost anything you see in the Papers about our fights because they Cannot make it much worse than it really is on the Enemy, they are Badly whiped.

Your Husband

W.G. Morris

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).

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Appeal for help to care for wounded North Carolina soldiers in Richmond – some 3,468 men #cw150

Wounded from North Carolina.

 

We have received, (from Surgeon Gen. Johnson we suppose) a catalogue containing a list of the wounded from this State in the battle of Richmond, from June 26th, to July 1st, 1862.  The Surgeon General states that besides the regular corps, a large number of Surgeons are in regular attendance at the several Hospitals, and agents from the State depot visit and distribute supplies to our wounded soldiers daily, while the ladies of Richmond are diligently employed, doing all in their power to alleviate their sufferings.  The number of names in this list is 3,468, though a great many who remained in brigade hospitals or who were taken to private houses are not enumerated.  Hospital stores, poultry, vegetables, &c., are needed, which may be directed to the North Carolina depot, Richmond Va., care of Claiborne Watkins, agent

Source: The Greensborough Patriot, August 7, 1862 as found in Confederate Newspaper Project

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Recipe for Antiseptic Powder to “correct the offensive odor of wounds” #civilwar150

Antiseptic Powder

To correct the offensive odor of wounds, mix one hundred parts of calcined plaster of Paris with two parts of coal tar. Rub well together. Sprinkle this upon the wound once or twice daily. They have been fully tested for years at Bellevue Hospital.

Source: Southern Confederacy, July 20, 1862 as found in John Hammond Moore, ed., The Confederate Housewife (Columbia, SC: Summerhouse Press, 1997).

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