Sunday, April 8, 2012

1862 April 9 Camp on Roads Hill

Camp on Roads Hill Apr 9th

Dear Aunt

I received your
very kind letter yesterday and
also the one you sent by
J Berry but I had no time
ton answer it on account
of the almost incessant
marching and countermarching
since we left Winchester.
We are getting a little rest
now since the enemy have
come to a stand at Edinburg
Our troops burnt the bridge
across the river there &
the enemy cannot get across
without rebuilding the bridge
they have built it up once
or twice already but Ashby
tears it down with cannon as fast as
they build it up

[page 2]
We have had a hard time
since the battle our tents
were all sent away and
we only got them again
yesterday it is now sleeting
and has been for three days
We have had a great deal
of wet weather lately
which sets hard with our
new recruits and the militia
There is a great many of
the militia sick and
complaining while there is no
sickness among those that
have been in service the last
year. The election of officers
takes place in our company
tomorrow if the day is such
that we can be out I have
no idea who will be elected
captain but I think that

[page 3]
Lieut McKenny will stand a
good chance for the office he
will be more suitable than
Lieut Randolph as he is a man
of steadier habits than the latter
Colonel Harman obtained a list
of our wounded prisoners who
are in Winchester James Payne
is said to be living and
doing will the ladies about
Winchester have taken them
in their houses and treating
them with the best of care
We heard that Sam Beard
was in the hospital at
Harrisonburg but do not know
whether to believe it or not
as I think he would have
certainly written & let it
be known where he was.
Colonel Baylor received a
dispatch yesterday saying that

[page 4]
the yankees made and attack on
Yorktown sunday morning &
were defeated with a dreadful
slaughter & also that the
enemy were defeated at
Corinth in Tennesee with a
great loss in men and
lost eight baterries[sic]. I think
the tide is turned again
& our army will be
successful in the end.
I must draw my letter
to a close. Give my love to
aunt Ann Uncle James
family and receive a due
share yourself. Nothing more
but remain as ever your
affectionate nephew
T. M. Smiley

Thomas M. Smiley, Company D, 5th Virginia

MSS 1807

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.