Letter to Eliza Johnson

Scope and content:

Written from Camp Kemper, near Staunton, Virginia. Letter regards the Battle of Winchester, Virginia.

Language:

English

Other descriptive data:

Camp Kemper, Near Staunton
Sept 23d 1864

My Dear Wife
I reported here this morning, at Staunton yesterday morning--may start to Richmond any morning on short notice. Found Dick's horse of no value he gave out before I had reached Middlebrook. With much labour I reached a point 3 miles beyond Staunton by 9 o'clock at night--next morning sent the horse to English's. I staid in Staunton 2 days with the hope of hearing some of the particulars of the fight in the Valley, some of the casualties but could learn nothing of the kind.

The account of the battle is about as follows. The enemy in far superior number attacked Early about day light. We held our own until 3 o'clock driving the enemy some two miles--at which time our Cavalry upon the left embracing Vaughan's, Imboden's, McCausland's, and Wickham's brigade gave way. This placed the enemy's cavalry in Winchester in the rear of our infantry and close upon our wagon train. The wagon train would have been destroyed but for the large number of stragglers with the train--the Yankee Cavalry mistaking them for a strong guard. Our infantry retired fighting saving the train and all the artillery but 3 pieces. I cannot learn the names of any of the killed wounded or captured except Gen. Rodes & Gen. Godwin killed. Gen Lee wounded. I shall go back to Staunton this evening and if I can learn any other names I will enclose them in this letter. Gen. Breckinridge is in Staunton today on his way to take command in S.W. Virginia. Nearly all our dead and wounded fell into the hands of the enemy--our loss being about 3,000. Those who passed over the ground from which we drove the enemy until 3 o'clock think the loss of the enemy greater than ours.

You have doubtless heard before this of the arrival of Richard Brown's family at Doct McChesney's. 5 families in all came through--the Yankees giving permission to all to come who desired to do so. Tell Leake to tell Mr. Higgenbotham that his detail was granted upon the ground of private necessity until the first of November. The detail has been here since the 15 of August. Tell Leake to gather all the fodder he can, but not to work too hard. If our army should fall back up the Valley have the barrels that are fixed filled with flour so that you can move it from the mill should it become necessary.

Yours
M H Johnson

Fitz Lee Cavalry were whipped on Thursday in the Page Valley losing 4 pieces of Artillery. Gen Early was at Woodstock last night having lost 12 pieces of artillery at Fisher's Hill or some other point--he is falling back up the Valley. The excitement here is on the increase. Capt. Corder was killed. Col. Patton of the 22 badly wounded and in the hands of the enemy. Accounts on both sides in the Examiner not far from the truth regarding the stand point from which the view is taken. All say our cavalry has acted badly. Let the advocates of plunder remember.

Subjects:

Correspondence

Places:

Winchester (Va.)—History—Civil War, 1861-1865

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