1862 June 28 near Richmond

[diary of Sgt. Z Lee Gilmer of the 19th Virginia Co. B (Albemarle rifles), written somewhat later, continues ]

(Saturday 28) about
12 when Maj Ellis Lt White, Sgt
Wm H Shepherd & myself were
taken to Richmond.  I went
direct to my Uncles & took
my fond friend Shepperd with
me. about an hour after I was
shot I lost my voice & did not
recover it until five or six day's
I am much indebted to John Dicken
son for my life, for he held me
up the entire night & the next
day until I left I shall never
forget him. If he had not have
done this I would have suffica
ted in a few moments, for I could
not lay down at all. There I was
held up on the battlefield all
night listening to the fight
for it was going on all night
with the exception I guess of two
hours. when I was taken to
Richmond the next day in the
ambulance, I had to pass over
the battlefield of the day before
for six or 8 miles. They were
burying our dead, puting them
by dozens in one large grave
No useless coffin enclosed his breast
Nor in sheet, nor in shroud we wound him
                                                rest
But he lay like a warrior taking his ^
With his martial cloak around him
after a painful ride we reached
the city & we drove round to my
Uncles for me to stop & my friend
Shepherd, I took leave of Maj-
Ellis, White & Dickinson who shed
teers when he parted.  I could not
speak & they thought me mortally
wounded.  My Uncle & his family met
me at the Door. they had not heard
of my misfortune then
My clothes were saturated with blood
& it had even run down into my
shoes could not use myself much
& in all look as if I would live but
a little while.  My Uncle & Aunt helpt
me up to a room & soon had me as
comfortable as I could have been
made on earth.  they could not have
been kinder

Gilmer quotes from "The burial of Sir John Moore after Corunna" by Charles Wolfe.

MSS 4459