Augusta County: Samuel Franklin Carson to Unknown
(Annie Harris), September 24
Summary:
Franklin (Samuel Franklin Carson) writes to someone, almost certainly Annie
Harris, describing life in camp. He explains that his unit recently retreated
across a river to Shepards Town and describes Yankee attempts to cross the
river.
Wednesday morning Sept 24th
Shepards Town
How are you this morning well I I hope. We are still here all in a pile /Are so
close together that we cant turn over without turning on someone I trust they
will soon [unclear: scatter]
[unclear: us] so that we may get more room in camp. After the battle of
Sharpsburg of which I last spoke we fell back to Shepards Town on this side of
the river. The Yankees following us closely, we had scarcely got out train
across until they [unclear: opened] from the
opposite side. They made a bold attempt to cross but this they could not do -
however that night they succeeded in crossing part of their forces at another
ford [illeg.] attacked our forces left to guard the ford we had crossed
but they were driven into the river killing & wounding some say several
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thousand - some [unclear: too] were taken prisoners some
of whom had been "paroled" a short time [unclear: before] - these are
the kind of men we are fighting - but I guess they won't fight us soon again.
Well I must close for the present hoping to hear from you soon.
In haste
Franklin
P.S. Give my love to all of my friends + relations. I am
sorry to hear of brother's ill health, had heard
he was better, but from Cousin Jarvis letter his case is hopeless. If it be
God's will, we hope & pray he may be restored to his family, but if
not then may he be prepared for that great change that awaits him. And so
may we all be prepared. It is [illeg.]
[illeg.] mistake to [illeg.] & please don't show
this to any one. Some 50% of our boys have just gotten
in, all well
Jimmi Buck is somewhere guarding baggage, so is Stuart
Brown.
My care to Annie & Hannah also my [illeg.]
-Billie Cale
