Letter from sister to Samuel S. Brooke

Scope and content:

Written from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Letter regards the retreat of the Confederate troops and her fear of the impending occupation of the city by Union troops commanded by General Augur.

Language:
English .
Other descriptive data:

Fredericksburg, April 17th/62

Dear Sam & Mr. Bruce-
The Yankees will be in town today at eleven o'clock. This may be the last letter I shall be able to write you for some time. The enemy took Falmouth yesterday. Our forces retreated yesterday, and now not a Confederate flag, soldier, or tent can be seen. Our force is said to have been [3,200?], the Yankees are estimated at from 15,000 to 8001. We had some skirmishing with them and lost a man or two, several men wounded, we killed several of the enemy. It was the saddest sight I ever saw, to see our men retreating yesterday, almost at double quick, leaving us behind to the enemy, and the black smoke rolling up from the burning bridges.

They sent a white flag over yesterday and we sent some men with one back to them. Then two Yankees came over and said, "Gen. Augur (their Gen.) said he would take possession of the city at eleven oclock today and that private property should be respected," but who believes a word they say. We tried to hide every thing we could yesterday. I am afraid Mr. William Moncure is going to leave us. I suppose you know we have Mrs. W. Moncure & family & Mrs. Bankhead with us. We have gotten fixed in our new home and are as comfortable as circumstances admit. Mr. [A___t] is very kind to us. Yesterday he was here three times--we value a friend now highly.

A great many people left town yesterday. The trains will only run to [__lford] now. The last one went out yesterday. I do wish we was behind the lines and feel much afraid of the Yankees, but I know it was impossible for us to go, and we will have to make the best of it. It all looks very dark now, but I know nothing happens by chance, and whatever is, must be the best for us. I do hope brighter days are coming.

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