The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1963-07-09

Of that day the 25th we we're sui
fered to unsaddle and sleep.
From that time to the I'd July
we marched constantly day and
nihgts without stopping except
to feed our horses or fight the
enemy and the only time at
forded us for sleep was whilst
our horses were eating. Our
comn1issary had supplied US too
with rations for only three days
so we suffered from hunger as
much as from want Of sleep.
In my previous letter I have
written you an account Of our
line Of march. First in the di-
rection of Dumfries then almost
to Alexandria, then back to
DralneSvllle then across the Pc
tolnac in the night and on to
within six miles of Washington
City then in the direction of Bal
tlmore, turning off to WestminS-
tel then to Hanover to Carlisle
and from there to the main
body Of the Army near Gettys-
burg. We took a long train Of
wagons near Washington about
200 and 1900 mules and fought
the enemy at Westminster, Han
over and Carlisle taking a good
number Of prisoners and losing
few men. On the ID July re-
joined the Army and slept that
night. On the Sd had very Sc
we're fight nearly the whole of
our cavalry engaged. On the 4th
began to cover the retreat Of
our Army and had no more
rest until about the 10th. In the
meantime fought the enemy for
three or four days in success
sion and lost right heavily fight
ing both cavalry and infantry
On the 18th recrossed the Pc
tonac. On the 10th had another
very severe engagement, and
! are now resting again for short
time.
Through all of it God has pre-
served my life and health and
have infinite cause of gratitude
/ and thankfulness. The trials OF
| last summers campaign are as
nothing compared with those
which we have been called to
pass through this summer. In
addition to all this l see no pros
pect Of a speedy termination of
the war. This invasion Of the
enemys country appears to me
to be very bad policy but l am
satisfied that God will do what
is right and that we will have
peace when he thinks proper to
grant it. | may not survive this
ilOA lpiC Wal OQt+ Cttil llldt WILL
be right if God so orders it and
not only right but best, for he
can still protect you and oul
dear children and make you
comfortable and happy. 1t is
still my duty in this dark perioc
OF our country's history to lie
main in her service and to fight
on while life lasts. God may SEE
TIT still to spare my life anC
yours and we may again NEE
together and be happy IN the
meantime lis needless to anti
c5pate evil and to render oursel
YES unhappy thereby. Let us still
trust him and patiently submit
to any dispensations Of his Pro
whence | am anxious beyonC
measure to see you. | never for
get YOU for a moment and Gag
erly grasp at any news concern
ing YOU from whatever source
1t may come. l devour your let
ters much more eagerly than thu
best food and they all appea
very very short after 7 finisl
reading them. Am in hopes 0
receiving another today. A.
strange as it may apperar all 0
my troop are alive and well ex
cepting three who are supposed
to have been taken prisoner
and one jenkins who is RICH
badly but not mortally wounded
The missing are Frank Penick
Nat Thackston and Geo Hunt
They were in the rear with tn,
wagons, their horses having bro