1862 May 28 Camp near Richmond, Va.

Camp Near Richmond
May 28th 1862

My Dear Creek

We are now within two
miles of Richmond, on the Mechanics-
ville Turnpike Road, we came here yesterday
and joined Longstreets Division again at
this place we have been on picket duty
since I last wrote you, down on James
River where we had a very pleasant time
of it. we had as many fish as we could
eat, so you may know I enjoyed it very
much. the enemys Gunboats came up
within two miles of us once during the
time and threw a few shells into the
works but none of them came within
a mile of our position, we all wished
them to come up to us, but they did not
chose to do so, they will find the army
of the Potomac, not to be frightened at

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the bursting of a few shells among
them, and I dont think they would
give way much for all the Gunboats in
Lincolns fleet, we have fallen back
now, as far as we are going to, right here
the battle will be fought, if McClellan
does not manage to give us the slip before
our Generals find it out, he has got him-
-self into a pretty considerable fix by
following us up so far and leaving his
right flank so much exposed, the glorious
victory gained by Genl Jacksons troops
in the neighbourhood of Winchester the other
day will no doubt open his eyes to his condition
as it now leaves Jackson at liberty to ad-
vance on McLellan's right wing
in the neighbourhood of Fredrisburg[sic] and
cut off McDowells column also, which
there is no doubt of his doing should he att
=empt it, and he is just the man to
attempt all that man dare do, and he has
troops enough with him to accomplish either

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of these ends, and there is little doubt but
he will do it, provided McLellen does not get
back to Washington again before him.
There has been some heavy skirmishing going
on along the line for several days our troops
have stood their own in every encounter and
yesterday we took over 5- prisoners, our Regt.
is not in the front lines this time they seem
to think that Longstreets division has had enough
of hard work and we are to be kept in reserve
this time so you see we will be sent to support
any part of the lines where they may need
strengthening during the Battle every thing
is quiet here today I have not heard a single
gun fired today nobody knows how long
it will be till the great fight comes off but all
are looking for it constantly, and we feel perfectly
satisfied that we will gain a great victory, and
bring this war to a speedy close, and return
to our homes and those we love.
I have just received two letters from you and
one from Jinx, I am sorry to hear of Ma being

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sick, I hope she is well by this. I dont know
what you would all do should any thing happen
to her.  you say you have not heard from me
in a week. I write sometimes every day just
now, as I know you are all anxious at home.
I will continue to do so till this crisis is
over.  I will writ[e] the boys in a day or two:
tell Wade[?] I hooked some fine fish in James River
the other [day] Wouldent he like to come out and
take a fish in it
You must not pay any attention to such
letters as that Willie McFall wrote home, they are
only calculated to anoy you, and are just
idle tales gotten up by some of the men
to frighten those who have not got any
more pluck than their own share, there was
no such idea ever entered our heads as the
enemy getting between us and Richmond
Give my Kindest Regards to all. Kiss
our little darling for me, and tell her
to be a good Baby.
Good Night Dear Creek.  May Heaven bless
and protect you, and write us again
soon.l  Your affect. Husband
William

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


MSS 10366