Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 September 22 Brand Civil War Collection: Brand, William Francis
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Brand Civil War Collection: Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, 1864 September 22 Brand Civil War Collection: William Francis Brand
1864-09-22 Source copy consulted: MSS 11332, Special Collections, Alderman Library, University of Virginia
Prepared for the University of Virginia Library Electronic Text Center.
Summary ALS September 22, 1864 B640922 Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, September 22, 1864
WFB, "In Line of Battle at Fishers Hill," to "Dear Kate": describes the battle of Fishers Hill; "we ware badly whipped"; death of Major General Robert Emmett Rodes [1829-1864], William Plunkett [1844-1879] wounded, Colonel John Henry Stover Funk [1837-1864] mortally wounded, Captain James W. Newton [1838-1896] seriously wounded in leg, Captain James Bumgardner, Jr. [1835-1917] "killed" [captured]
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Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, September 22, 1864
In line of Battle at Fishers Hill. September 22nd /64 Dear Kate,
I received your highly appreciated letter of the 13th via 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 Win- chester, or in the Valley of Va. And the worst of all I have to acknowledge we were badly whipped. Many brave Southerners 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 have 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. Wm Plunkett received a flesh wound in the thigh & was lost in Winchester. He was wounded just as we were 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, & Rodes'1 Division was camped some ten miles below Winchester,& before we could get to Winchester the other portion of the Army was nearly whipped. At at the same time they were trying to cut us off from Winchester, but we arrived there in time to meet the heaviest onset of the battle & succeeded in driving the enimy near a mile when everything lay quiet except skirmishing until the middle of the evening, when the enemy's cavalry drove our cavalry back [Page 3] They then made 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 morn the loss of many brave men and officers. Major General Rodes was killed early in the engagement, one of among the best officers in our army. Colonel Funk2 was mortally wounded through the bowels & left at his home in Winchester. I hope he may recover but it is doubtful. Maj. Newton3 was wounded in the ankle. The bone is broken and he is on his way home. He acted very bravely in trying to rally the men. All say he conferred him self with glory. Capt. J.Bumgarner4 was killed; also5 Lieutenant J. B. McGuffin. My Cous, R. Brand was badly wounded, one thigh broken and the other a flesh wound Had to leave him on the field. His company 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 canon and musketry are loudly booming on our front. The enemy is 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 fear- full 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 were here. I hear the roar of canons 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,