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Autograph letter signed William
WFB, Greenville to "Dear Friend," Lexington, w/envelope: describes battle of Spotsylvania [May 12, 1864] and his wounded right arm; many Confederates taken prisoner; describes regiment's casualties and prisoners
Miss Kate Armentrout
Lexington
Virginia
In all probability you
think that I am dead or have for-
gotten 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 Thurs-
day 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 comp. on that day, but I am sorry I can not. I was wounded about nine o'clock & went [Page 2] back to the field hospital & got my wound dressed, & stayed there until twelve o'clock when all that were able to walk were ordered back to some other hospital; & there was none nearer than Lucasa Courthouse 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. Captain Dempster advised me to go on to some hospital. Sam A. Lightner, Mays & Hight were wounded & came home with me. All received slight wounds; Lightner wounded in the right hand, Mays wounded 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 Brigde went in any more that day. I have not the least doubt that many of our [Page 3] boys were taken as prisoners. The enemy massed 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 they soon attacked our Brigade in front flank & in the rear. The front line was dis- persed & 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 all be captured. Then we commenced retreating to our second line of breastworks, & 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 laden messen- gers of death. I do not know wheth er [Page 4] 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 Regiment. Abe came out safe. I heard from him Friday. I hope to get all the parti- culars of the battle tomorrow. Jim Vines, Kelley & Sayton were take priso- ners last Thursday week the 9th. I was very sorry for them but hope they may be well treated. Cicero Bare was mortally wounded and has since died. John Pilson has lost a leg amputated above the knee. Jim Trusler was killed dead. Willie Gardner was killed. A great many were 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 posession of the people that they are so thirs- ty for blood. Lord ease their appetites. [Page 5] I suppose you have heard[] who was 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 thie size of a maug ball in the left ear. He will always be known as crosured Abny. Trotter received a flesh wound in the left thigh & Grieaver was wounded in the foot. I sup- pose his wound is very painful. Since the commencement of the fighting our Company has had fif- teen wounded & one has died. Tom Shannon Campell 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] cheerful. 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 pri- soners & wounded. When we com- menced fighting we had four Brigadier Generals & one Major General. . Now we have none able to command. Johnson & Stuard captured, Stafford & Jones were killed, Walker bad- ly wounded in the arm. All our Regimental field officers came out safely. Cousin William Koiner was badly wounded last Thurs- day. The night before we started from our old camp Captain Lamp- ster, Jim Vines & George Bolunture came out to enquire the way of salvation. Oh, how I wish our army would become an army of Christians. Then I am sure [Page 7] we would be invincible. Our God would smile upon us & we would seem to be a free & happy people. I saw your Father today. He was well & said all was 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 to 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 send- ing your friend your picture. What objections could I have. I am sure I am not your master or lawgiver. I would advise you [Page 8] 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 estrange- ment. She guessed as much by my not going down to see you. She asked me was'nt she right & I could not deny it. She seemed sorry & hoped it would all be made up; & for my saying you mistreated me I deny it. Dear Kate I felt 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 this writing. My heart seems filled to over flowing this evening. [Page 9] We received news this evening from camp. There have been fifteen wounded & twenty three are missing. Jake is still safe. So is Brother John & all the Ruebushs. 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 [Page 10] fallen of some ten or fifteen pounds 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.