Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
May 16, 1864
Summary:
William writes to Kate about his desire that the army be more Christian, troop
movements, his fears of their estrangement, and the health of his comrades in
the army.
Miss Kate Armentrout
Lexington
Virginia
Miss Kate Armentrout
May 16th 1864
Greenville Va
Dear Friend
In all probability you think that I am dead or forgotten you as I have kept
silent for so long. I received your letter on the
eve before the battle of the fifth while we were cooking
rations I was truly glad to hear from you. I was wounded on last Thursday the 12th a flesh wound in the right arm near
the shoulder I have no doubt but you will expect me
to give you a full account of the casualties of our company on that day but I am
sorry I can not I was wounded about nine oclock
& went
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back to the field hospital & got my wound
dressed & stayed there
until twelve oclock; when all that was able to walk
were ordered back to some other hospital &
there was none nearer than Louisa C.H. I begged them to let me stay
until the fight was over but they said I could be
of no use & would just be in the way Capt Dempster advised me to go on
to some hospital Sam A Lightner Mays & Hight, were wounded & came home with me all slight wounds; Lightner
wounded in the right hand Mays in the left side & Hight on the right
shoulder Jake was safe when I left him he was
with me after we fell back from our breastworks & I don't think our Brigade went in any more
that day I have not the least doubt but many of our
[page 3]
boys ware taken
prisoners; The enemy
amassed
their troops in front of the second Brigade &
at daylight charged the second & drove them from their breastworks & following them closely captured many. By having that gap open thay soon attacked our
Brigade in front flank & in the rear. The front line was dispersed & a great
many of our boys jumped over the breastworks & took after the Yanks
capturing one of their
colors Colonel Funk then told us if we did not get
out of there we would be all captured. Then we
commenced retreating to our second line of works & while I was crossing
the field I was wounded I am very thankful to the
great & good God that I came out so well the air seemed filled with the
leaden
messengers of death I do not know whether
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Brother John came out safe or not he was on the skirmish line
& when the enemy advanced he fell back on the
left of the Regt. Abe came out safe I heard from him friday I hope to get the
all particulars of the battle tomorrow. Jim
Vines, Kelley & Sayton was take prisoners
last thursday week the 9th. I was very sorry for him but hope he may be well
treated Cicero Bare was mortally wounded since died
John Pilson has lost a leg [added: amputated] above
the knee. Jim Trusler was killed dead Willie Gardner was killed a great many wounded from different parts of Augusta The Yanks have fought with more desperation than they ever fought before Sometimes
I can but cry. oh Lord, what demon has taken possession of the people that they are so thirsty for blood. Lord ease
their
appetites
[page 5]
I suppose you have heard
[illeg.] who all were wounded in our Company the first days fight, all my mess have been
wounded but Crist, Rubush Abny was wounded in the ear Shot a round hole the size
of a Minie ball in the left ear he will always be known as cross eared Abny Trotter received a flesh wound in the left thigh & Grieaver was
wounded in the foot I suppose his wound is very painful. Since the commencement of the fighting our Company has had fifteen wounded & one has died
Tom Shannon Campell he was mortally wounded last Tuesday
morning & died that evening poor fellow I went and talked to him & tried to cheer him, He said oh Bill I can not be
[page 6]
cheeful my wound is too
painful he was soon moved off
& I couldn't get to say much to him. Our
division has lost heavily in prisoners & wounded. When we commenced
fighting we had four Brigadeer Generals & one Maj Gen. now we have none
able to command. Johnson & Stuart captured; Stafford & Jones
were killed. Walker badly wounded in the arm. All
our Regimental field officers came out safe Cousin William Koiner was badly
wounded last thursday. The night before we started from our old camp Capt
Lampster Jim Vines & George Valentine came out to enquire the way of
salvation oh how I wish our army would become an army of Christians then I am sure
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we would be invincible our God
would smile upon us & we would seen be a free & happy people I
saw your Father today. he was well & said all were well at home Rachel C came up to see me to inquire after her
brother he was well the day before the great Battle I was glad to hear you were well pleased in Rockbridge & was happy try
& make your older sister cheerful &
happy in her new home with a kind husband by her side to console her every want dear Kate you asked me whether I had any
objections to you sending your friend your picture What objections could I have
I am sure I am not your master or lawgiver I would advise you
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to do
as you think best I hope you have not delayed sending it to him on account of my
delaying writing so long Abney had all my paper & envelopes in his portfolio & took it with him when he was
wounded & we were almost constantly in the
ditches waiting for the enemy to advance. You asked me
my reasons for telling your cousin about our estrangement. She guessed as much by my not going down to see you
She asked me wasn't she right & I could not
deny it; She seemed sorry & hoped it would all be made up & for
[added: my] saying you mistreated me I deny it.
dear Kate I feel sad this evening I often think I would be happier if I was taken out of this
world & could be with a kind Mother in heaven My prospect for worldly
happiness is dark forgive my weakness in thus writing. My heart seems filled to over
flooding this evening.
[page 9]
We recieved news
this evening from camp there
has been fifteen wounded & twenty three
missing Jake is still safe so is Brother John & all the Ruebushes if I had their
names here I would send you a list but I know but part
& I will not send any I hope this may find you well My health is very
good I have
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fallen off
some ten or fifteen lbs since I was wounded my arm is getting tired I will stop
Ever believe me to be your true friend &
please write soon as I shall look for an answer in a few days
Now may a great & Good God protect you is the prayer of
William
