This collection consists of one Civil War letter (dated July 3, 1862) from Confederate soldier R. Emmett Martin to his wife. The letter discusses the Battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia (Seven Days' Battle, Peninsular Campaign).
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R. Emmett Martin letter, 1862. MS 0406. VMI Archives, Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia.
BattleField July 3rd, 1862
My Dear Wife,
I write in a haste and only a few lines to inform you of my safety after the hard fought Battle of the 1st inst. I was in with the Regament in the hottest of the fight and by the grace of God came out without a scratch. Our company suffered awfully in wounded but we had but one killed. Poor Henry King fell upon the field in defence of his country, a noble little soldier as ever drew the sword. The wounded are as follows. John Clark dangerously in the shoulder, John McDavid, Wm. McMil, Jasper & Gus Tyler, Baldwin, Barter, Ashford, Billy Cowen, Black, Ben Trotter, Dave Slay, Henry Birdsong. Our Regament lost in killed &wounded (126) one hundred & twenty six.
We have driven the "Young Napoleon" and his grand army across the James River, whipping him in every battle and out of his strong Breast Works. We had a Battle last Sunday Evening, only a part of our Regament was under fire and lost several men, tho we could not return it. (Our men were wounded only), but we would have suffered terably, but we lay on the ground and the balls went over us. It has been a sucsesion of battles or one big Battle for the last six days a terable fight, but we are victorious. Our company acted nobly, with a few exceptions you will hear of them hereafter. John is safe and sound, and is now writing home. One of the Confederates, (Singleton's old Company) is going to start home to day. We are going to send our letters by him. This Captain (Major Henry) was killed, he was a gallant old soldier. Our Col. (Griffin) was wounded. I do not know how badly, but fear dangerously. It was an awfull hot place we were in worse than the Battle of Manassas the Boys say. All I can say for myself is that I endeavor to do my duty, and think that I succeeded to the satisfaction of my officers & comrades, I will write a full account of it to you & Pa as soon as I can get an opportunity.
My health is tolerably good & improving all the time, and I hope to be as hard as a lightwood not in a short time. Give my love to Pa and tell him I endeavor to do my duty & his too, and not to be uneasy about me. Kiss my darling little ones for me & give my best respects to all our friends. I got your letter of 16th June on yesterday and was glad to hear that you all were getting along so well. Goodbye and God bless & protect you. Kiss the children again for me. My love to your Ma, tell her to write to me.
Your Devoted Husband
R. E. Martin
Written from "Battlefield." Letter discusses the Battle of Malvern Hill, Virginia (Seven Days' Battle, Peninsular Campaign).