1861 August 17 Stribling Springs Augusta County Va.

Saturday

Miss Catharine Barden

Dear Catharine
I write to tell
you all about our recent fights and retreats in
North Western Virginia. We started to Laurel Hill
from Staunton the last of may & were 10 days
on the road reached laurel Hill & immediately
commenced doing heavy work in the way of guard
duty, picketing, and scouting.--This continued
some time until about Sunday 8th June when
the enemy moved up from Philippi to within
2 1/2 miles of our camp. On hearing of their
approach the 1st Georgia & our Regt. were ordered
down to meet them--we did so & were there
&skirmishing with them 3 or 4 days. We did
not lose any of our men in the skirmishes
but we killed some 4 of the enemy certain & per
haps more. On Tuesday the enemy opened on our
camp with bomb shells & threw them very
correctly for a while--but without effect.--
No one was injured by the shells--I was on
guard duty during the bomb firing & had to
keep dodging to get out the way of the balls

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several fell near me & I picked them up an unscrewed
them & took the powder out.--

On Thursday evening the news came that the
enemy had surrounded the other division of the
army under Cols. Heck & Pegram at Rich
Mountain--We were immediately ordered to strike
our tents & prepare to march back towards
Beverly to their assistance--we started just after
dark & reached within 4 miles of Beverly just
at daylight.--There we were informed that the
rest of the road to B. was blockaded & that
Pegram & Heck had been fighting all the day
before - but that the enemy were in Beverly.--
Gem;/ Garnett immediately ordered us to take the
road leading to Tucker Co that turned off to
our left--6 miles from Beverly--We travelled
all day & camped at about 10 oclk at night
at the foot of Cheat Mountain--after crossing it.
It rained all that day & nearly all night. I was
very well & stood the trip well.--The next morning
about the time we were starting again on our
journey.--We were surprised by the enemy over-
taking us.--they having made a forced march
all the night before.--Our Regiment & the
the[sic] 1st Georgia were in the rear of the wag-
gon train & did all the fighting that was done.--
The enemy were too strong in numbers--& we could

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do nothing but continue the retreat & fight them
as they followed--We killed many more than
they did--& had it not been for the unfortunate
occurrence of dividing our army so that
one half was too far in advance to even
hear the guns & we could have whipped
them easily.--We did whip them at any rate.--
and and drove them back three different times.
Our Regiment had only 3 companies in the
fight--Ours, the Richmond Sharpshooters and
the Scottshock Company. We then met with another
severe loss in the death of our Genl. Garnett.
He died whilst standing within 20 yards of the enemy
trying to rally his scattering forces. He was
a brave man at the least. We retreated on from
Cheat River through Maryland and on to a
small place called Greenland which we reached
on Sunday night & there got our first meal
of victuals since Thursday.--Many of the troops
were almost exhausted from want of food & lying
on the naked, wet ground without Blankets.--
My blankets were lost before we got to Cheat River
we were ordered to throw them off--& I did so.--

We retreated on gradually until we reached Monterey
after being 10 days on the road--we are now
at Alleghany Mountain about 250 strong the rest
of the Regiment are sick at Monterey.--I was

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taken sick before we got to Petersburg.--& at
Franklin I was advised to leave the Regiment
& take a near road to Staunton--I did so and
when I got within nine miles of the place I
was taken so ill that I was compelled to go
to bed.--I was sick there 5 days & from there
the Gentlemen I was with brought me here
to the Springs in a waggon.--I am now
nearly well--Pleasantly & comfortably situated
& hope to return to my Regiment soon.--
The Doctor waited on me here for a week day and
night and the Ladies here were also extremely
kind and attentive--some times 6 at a time
setting up with me.--I never received kinder
attention in my life anywhere.--The Ladies
would come and read the bible to me--even after
I could sit up--sometimes reading 2 hours at
a time.--I hear from home every few days.--
They are all well.--Write me some when
you hear from Tucker Barden.--We think
we will have another battle before very long.--
Give my love to all & retain a share for
yourself.--I will be here about 3 weeks &
want you to write soon & often while I
am here.--I recd. your letter about the time we
went into battle-but had no time to answer it until
now.--with much live & kind wishes

I am yours truly
Henry L. Bell

Private, Co. B. 23rd Virginia Infantry

MSS 13371