Letter to sister

Scope and content:

Written from near Strasburg, Virginia. Letter regards a fight at Snickers Ferry, Virginia on July 18, 1864 and a decline in mood.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Near Strasburg Va
July 22nd 1864

My Dear Sister:
I wrote you a few days ago by private hands from near Snickers Ferry but will write you again now. We got here this morning from Middletown and have been in line of battle all day awaiting the approach of the enemy who have been pursuing us ever since we left the Potomac‐ but they ceased today. I thought this morning that we would have a battle today. They were following us all day yesterday & drove in our pickets last night about 10 o'Clock and but from some cause they have stopped. They are reported to be in very heavy force & moving up in several different columns. They have been rather getting the better of us since we left the Potomac. They have captured a few portion of our wagon train several times and day before yesterday routed Ramseur's Division by bad management on his part. He lost between 4 and 600 men‐ Jim [Ba‐‐‐] was slightly wounded in the shoulder by a spent ball. He was to see me yesterday‐ said he was going back to duty yesterday evening. Gen. Lilley (Bob) was wounded & captured. This took place two miles below Winchester. Our Division was not on that road. I am much in hopes we will go on back up the Valley and take some rest and get something to eat for I am worn out and half starved for something that is fit to eat. I feel no interest in anything except just so far as I am personally concerned. I am dispirited. I have changed shirts but once since I left Staunton & some garments I haven't changed at all. I have but one change along but and they are dirty & I can neither get the chance nor time to get them washed. With all these afflictions I cannot say that I feel well‐ but still I am not sick for I am much better off than a great many others.

We have a report here that Grant is dead‐ hope it may be so‐ but I fear it isn't. I am very anxious to see some papers & the news.

Did you get my letter to you from Harrisonburg? I wrote to you from there and asked an old Gentleman standing on the street to mail it for me which he promised to do. This is a gloomy evening‐ just suits my feelings. Write me at once a long letter about everything. Give me the news. Tell me about everything and everybody. I hope we will soon get back up the Valley when I will try & come see you. We may more any way though. There is no telling. Give my very best to all. Tell Effie that I understand "Uncle Davy Jamison" is along with this army & I am on the look out for him. Write me very soon. May God ever Bless you and the kind friends of Mt. Solon will ever be the prayer of
Your devoted Brother,
James‐

Direct to 23 Va. Battalion, Echols' Brigade, Breckinridge's Div., Army of the Valley
(I have no stamps& it is impossible to get any here)

[letter continues on the top of Page 1]
If we fight the enemy here or anywhere be assured they will get licked. We had a fight with them at Snickers Ferry on the 18th & whipped them badly. Our loss as heavy as theirs‐ Rode's Div. done the principal fighting.

Subjects:

Soldiers -- Confederate States of America -- Correspondence

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