The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-05-16
HEADQUARTERS ROBES DIv.}
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS TO HIS
WIFE.

EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS TO HIS
May Gth.-Whipped the enemy like
fury last evening. Have whipped them
badly. Burnside's Corps particularly
stampeded like steep. Some of our
troops did not behave SO well as ex-
pectcd, permitting tie enemy to break
lines. or falling back in confusion.
Gen. Lee took command in person.
With waving hat in hand, charged.
driving heller skcltei. Our Brigade
suffered slightly-charged Burnside's
Corps. WI ich broke and ran before we
got Il good chance at them Indians,
also. VINO did no service.
6 O'Clock Saturday morning.-Enemy
are moving. Sharp shooters feeling to
see il they be in position. but hear moth
ing from them. Spells immense
looks bright for C~Onfederacy.
May 7th.-Enemy active, but moth
Ing accomplished by them regarded as
badly whipped an demoralized. Wal
ker Anderson killed, Col. Avery NOR
tally wounded. Lieut.. Col Davidson
prisoner. Haywood wounded.
May 9th.-Wcll. but greatly exhaust
ed; was only slightly wounded in in
step OF left foot. viii keep on duty.
Ar. getting the best of fights.
Battlefield of Spottsylyania, MAY
llth.-By grace OF God ar still! spared.
The Yankees have been punished
severely. We now have good breast
works. and will Stay them worse than
ever. Major IreIell killed yesterday /:
shot through the head while bravelv
rallying his Regiment.
May lith.-On Thursday the enemy
attacked MajGr-General Johnson's line.
breaking through, capturing himself
and acknowledgements Stuart of Mary
land. together with two thousand pris-
oncrs and twenty cannon. About 5
O'Clock a. III. Ram>eur's Brigade were
ordered up to check the enemy. who
were pressing our ;len, and kept them
at bay for about two hours when VIC
were ordered to charge, drove them
(Ramseur Brigade uione) back to the
captured works, rested a few minutes.
and Ramseur having been hot in his
right arm and not allie to keep up. and
seeing no one to apply to. and seeing
the necessity for speedy action, | or
dered a second charge. myself LEADING
them, and ly the very boldness of the
move recovered the entire works and
all the guns. capturing many prisoners
and killing more Yankees than the
Brigade numbered men. They made
repeated efforts to retakc Aorks but We
successfully repulscl every attack and
neld possession until I O'Clock a. m
Friday. when we We're ordered to move
out. which we id Just before dav.
Gen. Lee rode down II person to thank
the Brigade Tor is %gallantry, saving.
I'VE deserved Il c thanks of the countr1
wc had saved hi army Gen. Daniel
who was ENGAGED Oh our left was serious
IS Wounded ana yes eriay morning. al
h ; request, " 5 assigned to his Bri
gadc. lie 'iied asst night. He was an
excellent officer. aud although | probably
galued a Brigade BY his death, / would
have preferred 20 remain in stafu ono
rather II an his services should be lost I,
be country. North Carolina ha. suffered
seriously.
May l6th.-My escapes are regarded
as miraculous when account is taken Of
number killed. particularly as | never
order my men TO perform a0y duty at
tended with danger without sharing it
with them.
May l7th.-Littc fighting. Yesterday
enemy moved forward To move bosnitaI
with 1880 wounded which they carried
- Frederlck>bu Loss TO North Caro-
ina has teen very great. Many most
gallant ofii GERS killed. Gen. Daniel had
been recommended by Gen. Lee for
Major General.
May 18th Yankees CHARGED in from,
but were REFUSED. ConsiGerab
strengthened Grant continues to run
them against US They can't hold out
much longer.
May 10Th Eacny ha, e disappeared
have orders to BE- PREPARED 10 move so !
t. meet hem Iris i, he fifteenth day
ln-e re ..a,e met them. Have been
h-ht ng more or less every day. If they
would retire beyond the river and give
Us q hrcaf hlur srnl Il unnla ko Iaa:l