Franklin County: Samuel M. Potter to Cynthia Potter,
June 20, 1864
Summary:
Potter describes in detail the "severe" fighting near Gordonsville, Virginia.
Cynthia Potter
June 20th 1864
Camp near White House Landing, Va.
Dear Wife
Today we got in camp again after a long march during which we had no comunnication. We were near Gordonsville where we had a severe fight, tore up about 5 miles of Rail Road, burning every tie & bending each rail. I got but one letter from you & one from Fathers folks. I was very glad to get them & to know that you are all well. Well we did not get into Richmond but hope Grant will work his way in some way or other. As I feel very tired & sleepy I cant give you a very full account of our trip.
This is the first letter since the last of May & you know that I was glad. Who is teaching school in your place. I am glad that all three of the children are going. Can Lucy read yet. Oh yes you told me that she was in the first reader. What is Bell studying now. Jimmy I suppose will soon be able to say his A,B,Cs. June 22nd. Well the rebs got a position here & shelled wagon train driving it across the river. so yesterday morning we had to get up at 2 oclock & marched on foot driving the rebs until we came up to their fortifacations. We skirmished some with them. Our regiment, the 1st Pa. Cav. had about 4 killed & about 30 wounded, not having any one hurt. This morning we are still in the fields & I hear that the rebs have fallen further back so we are quiet now but dont know how long it will last. We have seen but one newspaper for the last fifteen days & dont know very much about what is going on in the outside world. A great many negroes joined us in our last march willing to endure privations for the sake of liberty. All kinds came along old men & boys, Old women & children of all sizes from the infant at the breast to grown up boys & girls. Some of the sights would amuse the children for instance one old grey-headed fellow was tramping along with a 3 year old astride his shoulders. the little fellow looking happy as a king while he held on to the old ones head. In our fight near Gordonsville we had quite a number of wounded which we had to haul away loading all the wagons & ambulances. We hauled them here for about a week before coming here to ship them off. The sight at night was a queer one. The Drs. would get the wounded out to dress them & at a number of large fires the negro women were cooking for themselves & the wounded, children crying, wounded moaning, old darks in confusion running around, mules bawling, all mixed up. We had about 400 prisoners along. The poor fellows did not have the best time of it marching on foot along with a Cavalry column & to make it harder we had but 5 days rations for 15 days. Still a great many of the boys shared their hardtack with the rebels & then would forage corn meal flour & bacon until they arrived here & drew rations. I am thankful to be able to say that my health continues good, though we have seen a good deal hard service. We hope to get a few days rest as our horses are nearly worn out. While I think of it please send me a sheet of paper & envelope in your next letter until we get in camp, as this one came in very good play. I had some paper & envelopes in my saddle pocket. the boys were out & expecting to get in camp sooner to let one & another have some until I am entirely out. Accept my thanks for your foresight in sending this. I would like to write a letter to Josey & Lucy but have no paper & am sitting in a field my horse saddled up not knowing what minute the bugle will sound "to horse." Ask them to excuse Pa this time as he does not forget them but still has the same love & care that he always had for them. Still praying that God will bless & take care of mother & them. Ask them to continue to pray that God will bless Pa & Mother & make them good children, receiving them into his kingdom. The order is to move so I must close. Assuring you my dear wife of the continuance of my love for you & asking your prayers at the throne of grace for
Your most
affectionate
husband
S.M. Potter
