Winter Posey to his sister Lizzie Posey
10 Sep 1862 – Aldin Hospital, VA
Aldin Hospital
Louden County, Virginia
Sept 10, 1862
Dear Sister Lizzie,
I have written two letters since our recent battle—one to Father and
Mother, the other to you. Have written nothing only in reference to our wounded.
I have concluded to give you a short sketch of our battles and camp life or
rather our marches as we never camp but overnight in a place and scarcely ever a
whole night.
We left Richmond the 1st of August, camped first at Gardenersville, remained
there four or five days just long enough to form our brigade. Since that we have
been on the march ever since been in four different battles which have reduced
our company and regiment very much. We have been living on raw bacon and
crackers for the last month. Have not had time to cook it and a good portion of
the time only about four hours at night to sleep which you must admit is a very
hard life but it will be all right when we whip out the vandals and I am
confident we will do it now before we stop as we have whipped them in every
engagement. Our brigade is 12 miles beyond the Potomac at a little town called
Poolville. We will see now what Maryland will do as they have been saying they
would help us if they had a chance. We will give her a showing now or before we
leave her.
And speaking of the conscript rights that have left and in regard to some of the
boys health, Billy Lewis is in particular about his looking so much better that
camp life agreed with him and so on. I think if he was here for a few weeks, he
would look quite different especially if he lived on raw bacon and crackers as
we do. But I am in hope this won’t continue much longer such camps as the
conscripts have would be a perfect palace as paradise comparatively speaking in
ours but ought not to complain neither ought I to envy them their position. Some
have to do the hard soldiering and I reckon it had as well be me as anyone else.
I will give you a sketch of our late Manassas battle or the part we participated
in. On Wednesday night we left Manassas Junction marched over to the
battleground where the battle of the 21st was fought. On Thursday morning, we
were drawn up in line of battle, remained there all day. The 1st, 2nd, and 10th
regiment of our brigade on pickets. About 12:00 o’clock, the enemy commenced
shelling us to find out our position. About 4 o’clock in the evening, the
enemies Infantry attacked our lines on the right. Kept up the heavy firing all
the evening. About night our forces succeeded in driving the enemy off the field
killing a good many. Our regiment was not engaged as we were on picket and they
attacked us at a different point on Friday. The fire became more general.
Jackson and Ewel forces were both engaged. We whipped them and drove them back
but did not succeed in routing them. Our brigade was engaged all the evening. We
drove them before us like sheep. Killed a great many and captured any amount of
prisoners. Notwithstanding, they killed a good many of our men. It was fun for
the Yankees would not stand a charge. Our brigade charged a battery and captured
it.
Early Saturday morning we were all placed in position. Our skirmishers in
front, pretty soon the skirmishers commenced firing, kept it up pretty brisk all
the morning or rather until about 2 o’clock before they made a general attack.
General Jackson commanded the center, A. P. Hill, the left wing, and General
Longstreet, the wright. The enemy attacked Jackson forces with a heavy force in
order to break his lines. They attacked our brigade three columns deep or in
fact, our division as luck would have it, there was a railroad cut between us
and the enemy and seeing that they were trying to get it or else. We rushed in
and got position of first. The fight continued there for two hours before we
succeeded in routing them. We mowed them down like wheat before the cradle. We
shot away nearly all our ammunition. I had shot my cartridge half full away
(which had 47 rounds in it) and had just filled up the second time when the
Yankees broke. I never saw them run so in my life. They left with a perfect
stampede, threw away their guns and everything else they had. We pursued them
for 2 miles until it got so dark, we were afraid we might fire into our own men.
We slept on our arms in a Yankees camp which they had left—their havensacks,
napsacks, blankets, and everything they had with them. I got me a good blanket,
two shirts, woolen, and a pair of drawers. Could got good coat and pants but I
was afraid to wear them. On Sunday morning about 10 o’clock, I left the
regiment to tend to the wounded. Haven’t heard anything differently from them
since. I learned that they have gone into Maryland and have been reinforced by
20,000 Marylandian. I can’t say whether the report be correct or not but I am
in hopes it is.
Something in regard to our wounded boys—they are all doing very well this
morning. The Doctor thinks they are improving as fast as could be expected.
Their wounds has scarcely any infirmation at all. They don’t complain of any
pain, rest quietly every night. Cobey does not complain at all only when he has
to be moved. Say to Father that Lieutenant Bond wishes him to write to his
father at Woodville that he is getting on very well. Can’t see but little
changes, rest very well in no particular pain, give him the date of my letter.
Tell Mrs. Richardson that Dave is getting on very well, etc.
Sept. 14 1862
P. S. Dear Lizzie,
As I have not had an opportunity of sending this off until now, I have concluded
to write you a few lines. The regiment __ ___ ____ (crease of paper). Their
wounds are healing very pretty. The doctor thinks they will be able to walk
about on crutches in a few days and as soon as they are able to travel, the
Doctor says he will give them furloughs. Tell Mother she must not be uneasy
about Cobey. He has all the attention necessary. She may look for him at home
about the 15th or 20th of September. Answer immediately.
My love to all,
Your affectionate brother,
Wint