Augusta: William F. Brand to Amanda C. Armentrout,
September 22, 1864
Summary:
William writes to Kate about the recent battle at Winchester, the death of
General Rhodes and others, and troop movements.
Sept 22nd /64
In line of Battle at Fishers Hill
Dear Kate
I received your highly appreciated letter of the
13th; by Abe the 20th. You can not imagine with what anxiety I perused
over its contents to find out how that absent one was
getting along. I hope this may still find your health improving &
enjoying many blessings My health is very good & hope it may continue so. On the 19th we had one of the hardest
Battles that was ever fought around Winchester or in the Valley of Va. And the
worst of all I have to acknowledge we were badly whipped. Many brave Southerners [added: bit the
dust]
there in our noble cause. By the mercies of a great
& good God I am still spared I cannot be too
thankful for the many special providences that has protected me thus far. His loving kindness
has been very great towards me & my prayer is
that I may so walk as becometh one of his true followers. Our Company came out
[page 2]
very well I think, only one
wounded, William Plunkett received a flesh wound in the thigh, & was lost in Winchester He
was wounded just as we ware falling back into Winchester. Our defeat was I think
caused by our Army being scattered. Our Division the
day before went to Martinsburg, driving the Yankee Cavalry
from that place. We fell back the same day to Bunkers
Hill, twelve miles below Winchester & Rhodes'
Division was camped some ten miles below Winchester
& before we could get to Winchester the other portion of the Army was
nearly whipped & at the same time they
were trying to cut us of from Winchester. But we arrived
there in time to meet the heaviest onset of the Battle, & succeeded in driving the
enemy near a mile when every thing lay quiet except
skirmishing until the middle of the evening. When the enemy's
cavalry drove our Cav. back
[page 3]
then making
three or four desperate charges on the left flank of our lines driving them back
in confusion which soon demoralized the whole army. We have to mourn the
loss of many brave men and officers. Maj. Gen. Rhodes
was killed early in the engagement one among the
best officers in our army Colonel Funk was mortally wounded through the bowels
& left at his home in Winchester I hope he may recover but it is doubtful. Maj. Newton was wounded in the ankle bone
broken is on his way home. He acted very bravely in trying to rally the men. All
say he covered him self with glory. Capt J Bumgarner
was killed also Lieut J. B. McGuffin My Cous, R. Brand was badly wounded one
thigh broken the other a flesh wound had to leave him on the field his comp told
me he begged them to take him off
the field, but the enemy was so close that they could
not. All that tried to get off were wounded &
killed but one
[page 4]
poor fellow I pity him
& hope he may be kindly cared for, Cous & Koiner came out safe.
We are now lying in line of Battle at Fishers Hill. Both cannon and musketry are loudly booming on our front. The enemy are trying to drive in our skirmishers. We may be
closely engaged before two hours. We are strongly fortified & have a
commanding position I think by the blessing of God, we may be able to give them
a sound thrashing I am fearful they may advance up the Page Valley &
cause us to fall back as we have only a small cavalry
force commanding it I hope you will not take the capture of Jake too much to heart I can't help but think he
is not in as much danger as if he was here. I hear the
roar of cannon now in the Page Valley. I was sorry that
your cous, had a relapse of the fever hope she may
soon recover her former health excuse me if I failed
to answer anything in your letter I have not taken time to look over it May the
blessing of a great & good God be with you the news from yours as ever
Good bye
