1862 July 3 near Richmond, Va.

                                      Camp near Battlefield of Tuesday
                                                   July 3rd 1862
My own dear Bettie
                         I sent you a letter this morning--it may not
reach you I send my boy down to Richd in great haste on business
& send this to let you hear of me.  Was under fire all [Friday?]
& could not fire without endangering our troops--No casualties in
our company except one missing.  On 1st July we were very
hotly engaged under cross fire of 3 or 4 batterys and must have
been destroyed unless we had been protected by a small
depression in the ground which we took advantage of to
protect our men while we fired over the eminence.  Had 3 men
wounded--two, both in my section very severely & one of them I fear
mortally, the third only slightly wounded.  I ran many narrow risks
but thanks to Almighty God! I was untouched.  May God so bless me
in future.  My thoughts constantly wander to you, my dear Bettie.
My heart yearns to see you.  I hope & pray that you may be very
well--I am myself, hearty & strong--but very black.  I have heard
from you once since I saw you, your letter being dated June 4th.  Write
to the care of Capt Carrington Va Battery, 8th Brigade (Gen Taylor) Gen Ewells
Division. With best love to all
                             Yours fondly,
                                                             James Dinwiddie
Wm G. Field (Miss Fannie Venables friend) & Wm J. Green of Charlotte
were killed in the fight on Tuesday

My stamps are all wet & I have to send
letter with my name.

James L. Dinwiddie, 1st Lt., Carrington's Company, Virginia Light Artillery


MSS 10102