Near Winchester March 23 – 62
My Darling Wife
We have had a severe
fight today ___ and are pretty badly
whipped – I am uninjured –
Geo Chapin & Will Lewis are safe
Ever Yours
E F Paxton
[The above note is not included in Civil War Letters of General Frank “Bull” Paxton.
The note refers to the first battle of Kernstown, Va. “Stonewall Jackson’s Confederates drove in on the Federal forces of James Shields. Confederate cavalry under Turner Ashby, having fought a skirmish the day before, had reported only a rear guard left in Winchester. Jackson struck hard with his 3500, but found Shields strongly placed with 9000. Despite the disparity, Jackson’s men fought well and won deserved honors before gathering in their wounded and retreating southward up the Shenandoah.”-Long. Civil War Day by Day.]
[transcription and annotation by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 2165, -a
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.