1862 June 11 Petersburg, Va.

              Petersburg Va. June 11th 1862.
Dear Ma,
          We are in this great city.  It is
now 2 P.M.  The train starts at 4
that is to take us to Lynchburg Va,
From there we will take the shortest
route to reach Gen. Stonewalls Jackson
Army.  Yes we are going to reinforce
that victorious chieftain.  While
we rejoice that we are to have so
great a leader, yet we can but
dread the hardships we must
encounter.  It is confidently believed
here that by hard fighting we can
soon bring the war to a close.
We go trusting in the righteousness
of our cause, and Sanguine of
Success.  I will send you a
Richmond paper which must to a great

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extent answer for my letters.
You need not be uneasy about us.
We will try to go well prepared
though we will be allowed only what
baggage we can carry. – I write
in Haste.  Direct to Richmond
& to the 60th Ga. Reg.
     I am as ever
                        John.

1st Lieutenant John Y. Bedingfield, 60th Georgia.


[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]


MSS 13119