Thursday, May 10, 2012

1862 May 10 near Chickahominy River, Peninsula Va.

In the woods near Chickahominy
River Peninsula Va may 10th

My Dear Creek
As I have an oppertunity[sic]
of sending this to Richmond I avail
myself with pleasure of the oppertunity
offered of communicating with you,
we are still marching in the direction
of Richmond but our progress is very
slow owing to the bad state of the roads
and the flatness of the contry[sic], we are
stopped today to rest, which we all need
very much our brave men have stood
both fatigue and hunger with the
greatest of fortitude, and self denial
sometimes marching days and nights
without scarcely a mouthful to eat and
hardly any sleep, and all of this without a
murmer[sic] from one of them,  all seem to be

[page 2]
cheerful and willing to suffer any
privations, so the great object of defeating
our enemies may be accomplished,
of this we have little doubt the battle
which we fought the other day has inspired
our men with fresh hope, and whenever
an oppertunity[sic] again offers of vindica-
-ting our countrys rights at the point of
bayonet, no doubt is felt as to the issue,
for with Justice on our side and a just
God to lead us we are certain of success.
We are all in fine spirits today having
met the provision train, and had a
good breakfast, with the prospect of
a good rest and a sleep which we
need very much, we are now some
twenty five or thirty miles from Richd
we will cross the Chickahominy tonight
and make a stand on the other side
somewhere, and wait for the Yankees
to come on when we will again give

[page 3]
them battle, how long it will be
before this takes place no one knows,
there is some of the enemy within
three miles of us now, but it is not
the intention of our Generals to bring
on a fight till they get to their own
ground,
William stands the march finely
indeed most all of our men have, excuse
this short and uninteresting letter, I am
so much fatigued that I cannot think
hardly of anything but sleep.
Good bye for the present Dear Creek
may heaven bless and protect you
is the fervent prayer of your devoted
Husband,
Kiss our little darling for me,
Direct your letters to Richd

William Anderson of the Palmetto Sharpshooters was elected Major of the 4th South Carolina Infantry on April 16, 1862


MSS 10366

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