1862 June 3 near New Market, Va.

               Near New Market,  Tuesday
           morning June 3 1862 10 oclock
                                              10 AM
Dear Mama
                              We are retreating to
Newmarket, rea[r] guard fighting all the
time, our Regt. was charged upon by
Yankee Cavalry very unexpectedly could not
form, we were shunning their artil
-ery at the time, we will make a stand
at New Market, retreating in haste
I cant undertake to tell all particulars
speak only of those missing the rest are
presetn.  John Taylor was killed, & Thorton
Rogers was killed or taken we have his
horse, his horse & Line R. fell at the sa
same time, Line escaped unhurt. Thortons
horse jumped up directly. Lines fell on
Thortons legs & both we lying the last
he saw of them, Line got his horse this
morning Capt Tebbs Dun & Jacobs are
missing no one knowes any thing of them
I was not in it was ahead preparing
feed for the Co.  I have written very
often. Matt McGehee was killed day be-
fore yesterday I talked with him not
long before he was thrown out

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in a skirmish fight. Cavaly covers the
retreat. we camped here last night
and we are in line waiting for the
rest[?] to pass, will send this by Mr
Gentry. I want Cricket very badly but
dont send him unless fat & by a reliable
person. Love to all your affec son
                          Wm H.B.

P.S. Gen. Jackson got a
dispatch last night Johnson
whiped them badly.

William Henry Burnley, 1840-1919, 2nd Regiment, Virginia Cavalry


MSS 7871