Winter Posey to his parents J. H. and Caroline Posey

9 Jun 1861 – Yorktown, VA

Head Quarters Vernon Guards
Yorktown, VA
June 9, 1861
 
Dear Father and Mother,
 
This morning at daylight I was sadly surprised to hear that one of our mates in our company was no more. Mr. Robert Tarver died last night about one o’clock. He had the typhoid some 2 or 3 day but was thought to be a great deal better. He was walking about the tent last night at 10:00 laughing and talking with his mess mates. He was taken ________________________________(in crease of paper) position of the brain and tongue. He only lived after it was found out by his mess mates one hour. L. Thompson, Martin Redwine and John Veal have got a furlough to take his remains home. They will start in a few minutes with him.
 
We have a great deal of sickness in our regiment but mostly measles and mumps. Three deaths in the regiment since we left New Orleans. The confederate troops have had several skirmish with the Yankees in different parts of the state and have come out victorious in every instance. Our regiments here at Yorktown have killed 2 or 3 and taken 7 or 8 prisoners. I was detailed as one of the guards to guard the prisoners last night.
 
I expect you have heard before this that we have been in several battles. I saw a telegraphic dispatch in the Richmond dispatch stating that Louisiana regiments had had a fight. It is all a fouler but we expecting a fight every day. We are now on the very spot where our independence was won from the British. Yorktown is one of the oldest town in Va. It stands just as it did the day the battle fought. There has been no improvements on it since. They are all the same houses that were here then. All decayed, tattered and worn by the cannon balls. The old brassworks are all standing as they were then except they are beaten down, some by the rain. We are camped on the spot where General Cornwallis surrendered with his sword to Gen. Washington. We see the monument everyday. I have visited Cornwallis’s cave frequently since we have been here. We find in throwing up our breast works pieces of the bones of the soldiers that were killed. We occasionally find the Britch of a musket and then a barrel and cannon ball some pieces of swords and pistols. I could write you a lengthy letter had I time. You know there is no rest for a soldier. I would like to hear from you accounting it has been over a month since I have heard from you. In fact, I never received but one letter from you since I left - As the boys are about to start, I must close. Give my best regards to all inquiring friends and receive a full portion of my love yourselves.
 
Your affectionate Son,
 W. W. Posey
 
P.S. Tell Cobey he must write. Mother, I would rather receive a letter from you than anything in the world. I think that the family among you might write every two or three day. Tell M.B. Kidd and brothers I would be proud to hear from them. Yours truly, W. W. Posey