Burke County Georgia CSA Letters W.O. Milton File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by William H. Phillips bphillips44@yahoo.com. Table of Contents page: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/banks.htm Georgia Table of Contents: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm For a Biography of W.O. Milton: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/burke/bios/milton.txt Letters from the Field of Battle 1862-1864 by William Oliver Milton of Burke County, Georgia CAMP NEAR RICHMOND, VA. ISAAC I. HEATH, ESQ. JULY THE 15TH, 1862 DEAR SIR IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE THAT I SEAT MYSELF FOR THE PURPOSE OF INFORMING YOU THAT I AM STILL IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING, AND ENJOYING TOLERALBE GOOD HEALTH DURING THE GREAT BATTLE BEFORE RICHMOND. I HAVE ESCAPED ALL THE ENGAGEMENTS UNHURT, AND I AM ALSO HAPPY TO INFORM YOU THAT NONE OF OUR COMPANY WERE KILLED. A PORTION OF OUR BRIGADE SUFFERED SEVERLY IN THE FIGHT OF TUESDAY; BUT OUR LEGION WAS SELECTED AS GUARD TO OUR BATTERY WHICH WAS ENGAGED AT THE TIME AND CONSEQUENTLY WE ESCAPED WITHOUT MUCH INJURY, THOUGH WE WERE UNDER THE ENEMY FIRE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I EXPECT YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE PARTICULARS OF THE FIGHT BEFORE NOW OR I WOULD ATTEMPT TO GIVE YOU SOME IDEA OF THE ORDER IN WHICH IT WAS CARRIED ON. BUT SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT WE GIVE MCCLELLAN A MOST RIDICULOUS WHIPPING, AND HE IS NOW LAYING IN COWARDICE UNDER THE COVER OF HIS GUNBOATS. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LEARN THE NUMBER OF KILLED AND WOUNDED ON EITHER SIDE YET BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE LOSS WAS UNCOMMONLY LARGE ON EITHER SIDE. WE ARE AGAIN IN REGULAR CAMP AND THERE IS SOME TALK OF US GOING TO TENNESSEE, BUT I CAN NOT VOUCH FOR THE REPORT. I SAW UNCLE HENRY UTLEY AND GREEN YESTERDAY. THEY WERE IN TOLERABLE GOOD HEALTH. NEITHER OF THEM WERE HURT IN THE FIGHT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM UNCLE DAVID MILTON A FEW DAYS SINCE, STATING THAT HIMSELF AND FAMILY WERE WELL. WRITE SOON AS YOU CAN AND LET ME KNOW HOW YOU ARE GETTING ON WITH MY BUSINESS AND WHETHER YOU HAVE MUCH TROUBLE WITH IT OR NOT. AS I SHALL HAVE TO GO ON COMPANY DRILL DIRECTLY, I MUST CLOSE BY SAYING I HOPE THIS WILL FIND YOU AND FAMLY IN GOOD HEALTH. I LIKE TO FORGOT TO MENTION THAT JAMES MCNORRILL (SP?) IS WITH US AT THIS TIME. ROBERT T. JONES HAS BEEN TO SEE US BUT HAS RETURNED HOME. WRITE SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOURS AS EVER W.O. MILTON ============================================== CAMP NEAR RICHMOND VA JULY THE 21ST 1862 I.I. HEATH, ESQR. I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR FAVOR OF JUNE THE 26TH WAS RECEIVED BY YESTERDAY’S MAIL, AND I HASTEN TO RESPOND, I WAS TRULY GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU ONCE MORE, FOR I HAD NOT RECEIVED A LETTER FROM YOU IN SOMETIME, SO THAT I WAS ENTIRELY IGNORANT OF THE WELFARE AND HEALTH OF YOURSELF AND FAMILY. I SENT YOU A LETTER FIVE DAYS AGO BY WM. BRIXTON IN WHICH I GAVE YOU ALL THE NEWS OF INTEREST, SO YOU WILL NOT EXPECT A LONG LETTER FROM ME AT THIS TIME, AS THERE HAS NOTHING TRANSPIRED SINCE I WROTE OF (_______ _____ ) EXCEPT THAT DEATH HAS AGAIN VISITED OUR COMPANY, AND TAKEN ANOTHER OF OUR FELLOW SOLDIERS TO THE SILENT TOMB. THE YOUNG MAN OF WHOM I SPEAK WAS PROBABLY NOT AMONG THE LIST OF YOUR ACQUAINTANCES; HIS NAME WAS ALMARION TROBRIDGE. HE DIED OF PNEUMONIA I’M GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE GETTING ALONG WITH MY BUSINESS WITHOUT A GREAT DEAL OF TROUBLE; AND I DEEPLY SYMPATHISE WITH YOU IN YOUR RECENT MISFORTUNES, FOR I WILL KNOW THAT YOUR MUST INDEED HAVE A TRYING TIME OF IT. I VISITED R.A. HEATH AT THE HOSPITAL DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY AND I AM GLAD TO INFORM YOU THAT I FOUND HIM IMPROVING, AND THE SURGEON SAID HE THOUGHT BEFORE VERY LONG HE WOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME. I ALSO VISITED VIRGIL SHUMAKE (SP?), AND HE WAS ALSO IMPROVING AS I THOUGHT BUT I HAVE SINCE HEARD THAT HE HAS GOT WORSE AND IS EXPECTED T DIE. I SAW JUDGE SHUMAKE IN RICHMOND ALSO THE SAME DAY. I SAW UNCLE HENRY AND GREEN UTLEY YESTERDAY. GREEN IS WELL, BUT UNCLE HENRY IS SICK WITH MEASLES, THOUGH I THINK HE WILL BE WELL IN A SHORT TIME IF HE WILL BE PRUDENT AND TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF. I DON’T KNOW THAT I CAN WRITE ANYTHING MORE THAT WOULD INTEREST YOU, WE ARE AGAIN IN REGULAR CAMPS AND THE DUTY IS PRETTY HARD, AS WE HAVE TO DRILL A GREAT DEAL. THERE IS SOME TALK OF GOING TO CHATANOOGA, TENNESSEE, BUT I AM UNABLE TO SAY WHETHER THE REPORT IS RELIABLE OR NOT. GIVE MY LOVE TO AUNT NANCY AND TELL HER I WILL HAVE MY (A__BE__T__PE)(?) TAKEN AND SEND IT TO HER SOON AS I HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OF GOING TO RICHMOND AGAIN. TELL JUSTIN I WOULD BE GLAD TO HEAR FROM HIM AT ANYTIME. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SOON AS POSSIBLE AND LET ME KNOW WHAT ARE THE PROSPECTS FOR BREAD IN (_______) (________) YEAR. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SOON. YOURS AS EVER. W.O. MILTON P.S. EXCUSE ALL DEFICIENCIES OF THIS LETTER AS I HAD TO WRITE IT IN GREAT HASTE IN ORDER TO GET IT READY TO SEND OFF BY THIS MORININGS MAIL. YOURS W. O. MILTON ========================================== HANOVER JUCTION, VA. AUGUST THE 24TH 1862 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR IT IS WITH PLEASURE THAT I TAKE MY PEN IN HAND FOR THE PURPOSE OF DROPPING YOU A FEW LINES, WHICH WILL INFORM YOU THAT WE ARE NOW STATIONED ON THE RAILROAD LEADING TO GORDONSVILLE NEAR THE JUNCTION OF THE FREDERICKSBURG ROAD. IT IS THOUGHT THAT MCCLELLAN’S OBJECT IS TO CUT OFF JACKSON’S SUPPLIES AS HE HAS WITHDRAWN HIS FORCES FROM RICHMOND AND THAT IS THE CAUSE OF OUR BEING ORDERED TO THIS PLACE, IN ORDER TO ARREST HIM IF HE MAKES SUCH AN ATTEMPT. IT IS CERTAIN THAT MCCLELLAN HAS TAKEN HIS FORCES FROM RICHMOND AS WE WENT OUT ON A RECONNOITERING TRIP THE DAY BEFORE WE LEFT THERE AND WE FOUND BUT FEW YANKEES, AND THEY WERE STRAGLERS WHO FAILED TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR REGIMENTS. THOSE, WE CONDUCTED BACK TO RICHMOND OF COURSE. GOOD NEWS HAS REACHED US THIS MORNING FROM THE VALLEY, AND THAT IS THAT JACKSON HAS WHIPPED POPE AND DRIVEN HIM ACROSS THE RAPIDAN RIVER. THIS REPORT SEEMS TO BE RELIABLE, AS ABOUT A HUNDRED AND FIFTY PRISONERS CAME DOWN ON THE TRAIN FROM GORDONSVILLE YESTERDAY. THIS IS ABOUT ALL THE WAR NEWS I HAVE OF MUCH NOTE, SO I WILL WRITE NOW OF THINGS GENERALLY. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM UNCLE DAVID A FEW DAYS SINCE, AND HE STATED THAT THE CONSCRIPT HAD TAKEN HIM, AND THAT HE WAS AGAIN IN SERVICE AT SAVANNAH, GA. HE BELONGS TO THE CREW OF THE FLOATING BATTERY; HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD BEEN SICK BUT WAS GETTING BETTER AND THATHIS FAMILY WERE ALL WELL. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE HENRY AND GREEN UTLEY IS AT THIS TIME BUT I RATHER THINK THEY ARE IN THE VALLEY UNDER JACKSON, AS ALL OUR FORCES HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM RICHMOND. WE DO NOT EXPECT TO REMAIN AT THIS POINT LONG AND IT IS THE GENERAL OPINION THAT OUR NEXT MOVE WILL BE TO THE VALLY. I LIKE THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY VERY WELL AS THERE IS PLENTY OF FRUIT, GREEN CORN, &C FOR SALE HERE. THE HEALTH OF OUR LEGION IS REMARKABLY GOOD AT THIS TIME, AND THE BOYS ARE ALL IN GOOD SPIRITS. THEY SEEM PERFECTLY WILLING TO MEET THE FOE WHENIT IS NECESSARY. I WOULD LIKE TO COME HOME AND SEE YOU ALL, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, SO I HAVE CONCLUDED TO MAKE MYSELF EASY AND WAIT UNTIL AN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF. GIVE MY LOVE TO AUNT NANCY AND (______?_____), ALSO TO AUNT SUSAN WHEN YOU SEE HER, AND RECEIVE THE SAME YOURSELF. I AM IN PRETTY GOOD HEALTH AT THIS TIME, AS I (AM) SO USED TO TRAMP AND EXPOSURE UNTIL THEY DON’T HURT ME. I WILL NOW CLOSE HOPING TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON AS POSSILBE AND GIVE ME ALL THE NEWS IN BURKE. YOURS EVER, W.O.MILTON 24 AUGUST 1862 (CONTINUED) P.S. EXCUSE THIS LETTER AS I WRITE IN A HURRY IN ORDER TO GET IT IN THE MAIL TODAY. YOURS &C, W.O.M. PS. I WISH YOU NOT TO HIRE OUT MY NEGRO BOY, BERRY NEXT YEAR AS I EXPECT TO COME HOME ABOUT CHRISTMAS AND I WANT TO BRING HIM TO THE WAR WITH ME, AS HE CAN COOK AND WASH FOR ME, ANDMAKE MORE MONEY FOR ME HERE THAN HE CAN AT HOME. IF I DON’T GET A CHANCE TO COME HOME, I WANT YOU TO SEND HIM TO ME BY JOHN HOLLAND OR SOME OF THE BOYS WHO ARE HOME AT THIS TIME. I AM IN A ( ? ) THAT SAY THEY WILL PAY ME WHATEVER I ASK A MONTH FOR HIM. YOU CAN SEND BERRY OR JESSIE, I DON’T CARE WHICH. BUT BE SURE TO SEND ME ONE OF THEM BY SOME OF THE BOYS IF I DON’T GET THE CHANCE TO COME HOME. AS MY HEALTH IS BAD ANYHOW AND I NEED SOME HELP TO COOK AND WASH. I WISH YOU TO SEND HIM SOON AS POSSIBLE WRITE SOON TO ME. YOURS &C W.O. MILTON ====================== RAPIDAN STATION VA. AUGUST THE 30TH 1862 I. I. HEATH, ESQR. DEAR SIR WHEN I WROTE YOU LAST, I WAS AT HANOVER JUNCTION. WE ARE NOW AT RAPIDAN RIVER ABOUT SIXTY MILES ABOVE THAT PLACE. WE HAVE HAD A AVERY HARD MARCH OF IT AND HAVE SUFFERED SOME FROM HUNGER. WE ARE GOING TO MOVE AGAIN THIS MORNING. I EXPECT WE WILL GO ON TO WASHINGTON CITY BEFORE WE STOP. I WRITE YOU THIS NOTE TO INFORM YOU WHERE WE ARE. I DID NOT EXPECT TO GET THE CHANCE TO WRITE TO YOU AGAIN SOON AS THERE ARE NO MAIL FACILITIES ABOVE THIS PLACE, BUT I WILL WRITE TO YOU AGAIN SOON AS I GET WHERE I CAN MAIL A LETTER AGAIN. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL MY RELATIVES THAT YOU SEE AND RECEIVE A PORTION YOURSELF AND TELL EVERYBODY YOU SEE THAT WE ARE AFTER THE YANKEES WITH A SHARP STICK. I MUST CLOSE AS THE COLUMN IS ABOUT READY TO MOVE. YOURS AS EVER W.O. MILTON ================== WINDER HOSPITAL RICHMOND VA. OCT THE 10TH 1862 TO I. I. HEATH, ESQR. DEAR SIR I TAKE MY PEN IN HAND TO INFORM YOU AGAIN WHERE I AM ANDHOW MY HEALTH IS. WHENI WROTE YOU LAST, I WAS GETTING BETTER AND THOUGHT I WOULD SOON BE ABLE TO GO TO THE ARMY; BUT MY HEALTH IS GREATLY IMPARIED BY HARD MARCHES AND EXPOSURE THAT IS SEEMS TO BE A DIFFICULT MATTER FOR ME TO GET WELL AGAIN. MY HEALTH IS VERY LITTLE BETTER THAN WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE HOSPITAL. I HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE HOSPITAL TO WHICH I WAS FIRST SENT ON ACCOUNT OF THE MANY WOUNDED WHO WERE SENT THERE. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE MONEY WHICH I WROTE TO YOU FOR IN MY FIRST LETTER SO I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT YOU DID NOT SENT IT, AND IF YOU DID NOT I AM GLAD OF IT, FOR I HAVE RECENTLY DRAWED MONEY FROM THE TREASURY AND I DON’T NEED ANY MORE AT THIS TIME. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU WRITE WHETHER YOU SENT IT OR NOT. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED HERE THAT THERE ARE INDICATIONS OF AN INSURRECTION OF THE NEGROES IN GEORGIA. LET ME KNOW IF THAT IS TRUE OR NOT WHEN YOU WRITE. OUR COMPANY WAS BADLY CUT UP IN A FIGHT WHICH I SPOKE OF BEFORE. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OF OUR BOYS WHO WERE AROUND AND TAKEN PRISONERS (?) THEY HAVE BEEN PAROLED. (?) THEY SAY THEY CANNOT GIVE ANY DEFFINITE ACCOUNT OF THE COMPANY. I HAVE HEARD THAT JOHN HOLLAND AND SHANNON KENT (SP?) WERE BOTH WOUNDED, ALSO THAT PAUL GODBEE WAS KILLED; BUT I CAN NOT SAY WHETER THESE REPORTS ARE TRUE OR NOT. I MUST CLOSE AS I FEEL VERY SICK. WRITE SOON AS POSSIBLE AS I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU VERY BAD. DIRECT YOUR LETTER TO WINDER HOSPITAL, RICHMOND VA. IN CARE OF A.G. LANE, CHIEF SURGEON. WRITE IMMEDIATELY. YOURS AS EVER, W. O. MILTON ==================== FREDERICKSBURG VA NOV THE 25TH 1862 TO I. I. HEATH DEAR SIR I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER SOMETIME AGO BUT HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO ANSWER IT UNTIL NOW IN CONSEQUENCE OF BEING ON A MARCH EVER SINCE I RECEIVED IT. I HAVE BEEN BACK TO THE COMPANY ABOUT A WEEK AND MY HEALTH IS SOME BETTER NOW THOUGH I AM NOT ENTIRELY WELL YET. YOU WROTE TO ME TO STATE Y DISEASE: THE DOCTOR SAYS MY LIVER IS AFFECTED BUT I HOP HE IS IS MISTAKEN. I AM VERY MUCH IN NEED OF SOME ARTICLES OF CLOTHING AT THIS TIME AND AS THERE IS SEVERAL BOYS AT HOME FROM OUR COMPANY I THINK IT A GOOD CHANCE FOR YOU TO SEND THEM TO ME. I WISH YOU TO SEND ME A PAIR OF COARSE COTTON SOCKS, 1 PAIR OF COMMON SHOES NO. 8 AND 1 HAT SIZE 71/4. YOU CAN SEND THEM EITHER BY JOHN HOLLAND, JAMES MOBLEY, ALLEN BOYD, OR BY MACK WIMBERLY WHO ARE ALL AT HOME AT THIS TIME BUT BE SURE TO SEND THEM BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY AS I AM NEEDING THEM VERY BAD NOW AND I EXPECT WILL NEED THEM MUCH WORSE BEFORE I CAN GET THEM. WE ARE NOW AT FREDERICKSBURG. THERE IS A PRETTY HEAVY FORCE OF THE ENEMY HERE BUT I HEARD THIS MORNING THAT THEY WERE FALLING BACK. THERE IS A REPORT AFLOAT THAT WE ARE GOING ON TO THE COAST OF GEORGIA BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER IT IS SOON (______) BUT I AM AFRAID IT IS FALSE. I WILL CLOSE AS TIME IS PRECIOUS BY SAYING THAT MY HEALTH IS TOLERABLY GOOD HOPING THAT YOU AND FAMILY ARE WELL ALSO. I LIKE TO FORGOT TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BEEN APPOINTED ONE OF THE COLOR GUARD WHICH IS AN HONORABLE AND ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION IN TIME OF BATTLE. DON’T FORGET TO SEND THOSE ARTICLES. YOUR AS EVER W.O. MILTON ================== FREDERICKSBURG, VA DEC.THE 17TH 1862 I. I. HEATH, ESQR. DEAR SIR I AGAIN SEAT MYSELF TO DROP YOU A FEW LINES IN HASTE WHICH WILL INFORM YOU THAT I AM YET IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING AND ENJOYING TOLERABLE GOOD HEALTH AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE JUST HAD A FIGHT HERE AND WE GIVE THE YANKEES ANOTHER WHIPPING. OUR BRIGADE WAS THE ONLY ONE ENGAGED ON THE LEFT AND I TELL YOU WE MADE THE YANKEES GET FARTHER SURE. BUT THERE IS ONE THING THAT I REGRET ABOUT IT AND THAT IS WE LOST OUR COLONEL. HE WAS ACTING BRIGADIER GENERAL AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH. THE BATTLE COMMENCED ABOUT NINE O’CLOCK A.M. ON THE 13TH AND HE WAS KILLED ABOUT TWO P.M. THERE NEVER WAS A MAN THAT DISPLAYED MORE COOLNESS AND IN FACT ACTED MORE NOBLY IN EVERY RESPECT THAN DID HE, AND WHEN WE SPEAK OF HIM WE MAY WELL SAY THAT GEORGIA HAS LOST ONE OF HER BRIGHTEST STARS. OUR LEGION WAS NOT IN THE THICKEST OF THE FIGHT AS WE WERE SENT TO SUPPORT A BATTERY ON THE RIGHT WING. WE WERE GREATLY EXPOSED TO SHELL AS THE ENEMY ATTEMPTED TO SILENCE THE BATTERY SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE FIGHT BUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE BATTERY WHICH WE WERE SUPPORTING WAS SITUATED ON A POINT WHICH OVERLOOKED THE VALLEY BELOW, AND WE COULD SEE THE MOVEMENTS OF BOTH ARMIES DURING THE FIGHT. NONE OF OUR LEGION WAS HURT, AND BUT VERY FEW MEN KILLED ON OUR SIDE, AS THEY WERE SITUATED BEHIND A STONE FENCE WHICH PROTECTED THEM FROM THE SHOTS OF THE ENEMY. WE HAVE DRIVEN THE ENEMY ACROSS THE RIVER AND EVERYTHING IS QUIET TODAY. THE LOSS OF THE ENEMY IS SAID TO BE TWELVE THOUSAND WHILE OURS IS ESTIMATED AT FIFTEEN HUNDRED. I WENT OVER THE BATTLEFIELD YESTERDAY AND I NEVER SAW THE LIKE OF DEAD YANKEES BEFORE. WE DID THINK WE WOULD COME TO GEORGIA WHEN THIS FIGHT WAS OVER BUT I EXPECT IT IS ALL A MISTAKE AS OUR COLONEL WAS KILLED. THOUGH I UNDERSTAND THAT COLONEL YOUNG OF THE CALVARY IS GOING TO MAKE AN EFFORT TO GET US THERE ANYHOW. IN MY LAST LETTER TO YOU, I REQUESTED THAT YOU SEND ME SOME ARTICLES OF CLOTHING. (___) ONE HAT SIZE 7/14, ONE PR. SHOES, NO. 8, AND FOUR OR FIVE PAIRS OF COARSE COTTON SOCKS. ALSO SEND ME ONE PAIR OF GLOVES. SEND THEM BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY AS I NEED THEM VERY BAD. YOU CAN SEND THEM BY SOME OF OUR BOYS WHO ARE AT HOME NOW. WRITE SOON TO ME, YOURS AS EVERY, W.O. MILTON ========================== CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA. JANUARY THE 27TH 1863 TO I.I. HEATH ESQ DEAR SIR YOUR KIND FAVOR OF THE 10TH (INST?) CAME TO HAND YESTERDAY AND I AVAIL MYSELF OF THE PRESENT OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND. I WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT YOU AND FAMILY WERE WELL; BUT SORRY TO LEARN THAT MY LETTER REACHED YOU SO LATE, FOR I WANT BERRY VERY BAD, AND I HOPE I MAY SUCCEED IN GETTING HIM BACK AS I HAD MUCH RATHER HAVE HIM THAN JESSIE, BUT IF YOU CANNOT GET BERRY BACK, YOU CAN SEND ME JESSIE BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. DO YOUR BEST TO GET BERRY FOR ME FOR HE WILL DO ME MORE GOOD THAN JESSIE WILL. YOU STATED IN YOUR LETTER THAT YOU HAD SOME MONEY SUBJECT TO MY ORDER. I WISH YOU TO SEND ME FIFTY OR SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS, AS I AM NEEDING SOME MONEY AT THIS TIME. I WOULD HAVE HAD MONEY NOW, BUT I HAD TO BUY MY OWN SHOES AND CLOTHING, OWING TO THE SCARCITY IN THE ARMY, AND I THOUGHT I HAD BETTER BUY THEM MYSELF THAN TO SUFFER. CLOTHING AND SHOES ARE BECOMING MORE PLENTIFUL NOW AND I HOPE WILL CONTINUE DURING THE WINTER. A.J. LOVETT OF OUR COMPANY IS GOING HOME ON FURLOUGH, AND YOU CAN SEND BY HIM OR BY GEORGE CHANCE WHO IS AT HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU CAN ALSO SEND ME THE MONEY BY LOVETT WHEN HE RETURNS, IF HE GETS OFF, AND IF HE FAILS TO GET OFF, I WILL WRITE TO YOU WHAT TO DO. I WISH YOU TO SETTLE UP ALL MY DEBTS IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU WRITE AGAIN HOW YOU ARE GETTING ALONG WITH MY BUSINESS AND WHO HAS MY NEGROES THIS YEAR, AND WHAT YOU GOT FOR THEM. I HAVE NO NEWS TO WRITE TO YOU AT THIS TIME AS THE ENEMY SEEM TO BE INACTIVE AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE SOME VERY DISAGREEABLE WEATHER AT THIS TIME AS IT RAINS ALMOST EVERY DAY. I SAW UNCLE HENRY UTLEY YESTERDAY. HE WAS IN GOOD HEALTH. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT GREEN UTLEY WAS WELL. MY HEALTH IS ABOUT AS USUAL NOT VERY GOOD, BUT I AM ABLE TO DO DUTY, WHICH I NEVER FAIL TO DO AS LONG AS I AM ABLE TO GET ABOUT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM UNCLE JAMES MILTON THE SAME DAY THAT I RECEIVED YOURS STATING THAT HIS AND UNCLE DAVE’S FAMILIES WERE WELL. OUR BOYS ARE IN TOLERABLE GOOD HEALTH AT THIS TIME. WE HAVE BUT ONE OR TWO MEN ON THE SICK LIST IN OUR COMPANY. I RECEIVED THE ARTICLES WHICH YOU SENT ME BY JOHN HOLLAND AS I STATED IN A LETTER TO YOU BEFORE THIS. I WILL CLOSE AS I HAVE NO NEWS. BE SURE TO SEND ME BERRY IF YOU CAN, IF NOT, SEND ME JESSIE, AND I WILL LET YOU KNOWWHEN TO SEND THE MONEY. SEND THE BOY BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. YOURS AS EVER, W.O. MILTON P.S. DIRECT YOUR LETTER TO RICHMOND, VA. IN CARE OF CAPT. COX COBB’S LEGION, GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS. YOURS AS EVER, W.O. MILTON =================== CAMP NEAR FREDERICKSBURG VA MARCH 24TH, "63 I. I. HEATH DEAR SIR I TAKE MY PEN IN HAND TO INFORM YOU THAT I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF THE 9TH (INTS.?) AND ALSO THE MONEY WHICH YOU SENT ME BY A. J. LOVETT, BEING AS I DIRECTED SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS. I WAS SORRY THAT YOU COULD NOT GET BERRY BACK FOR ME, AND I THINK IT SHOWS VERY LITTLE DISPOSITION IN MR. ROYAL TO ACCOMODATE, OR HE WOULD HAVE GIVEN HIM UP. BUT IT IS ALMOST NATURAL FOR MEN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE WHENEVER THEY CAN NOWADAYS. I HOPE I WILL BE ABLE TO GET ALONG VERY WELL ANYWAY AS MY HEALTH IS TOLERABLE GOOD AT THIS TIME, AND HAS BEEN FOR SOMETIME. I HOPE I WILL ENJOY BETTER HEALTH IN THE FUTURE THAN I HAVE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS PAST. I WAS VERY GLAD TO LEARN THAT YOU AND FAMILY WERE WELL, AND HOPE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SEND THE SAME GOOD TIDINGS IN EVERY FUTURE LETTER. OUR LEGION HAS BEEN ON PICKET FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND HAVE JUST BEEN RELIEVED. EVERYTHING IS QUIET ALONG OUR LINE AS YET, BUT THE BALLOON ASCENSIONS AND THE OTHER MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY INDICATE AS EARLY ATTACK SOMEWHERE ON THIS LINE. THERE IS NOTHING OCCURED OF NOTE SINCE I WROTE TO YOU LAST. THEREFORE, YOU MUST NOT EXPECT A LONG LETTER AS I FEEL VERY BAD ON ACCOUNT OF BEING ON DUTY. I WILL CLOSE. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL THE FAMILY (CONNECTION?) AND RECEIVE THE SAME. WRITE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. YOURS AS EVER W. O. MILTON ==================== CAMP NEAR ORANGE COURT HOUSE, VA. AUGUST 21ST, 1863 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR, I AGAIN SEAT MYSELF THIS MORNING TO WRITE YOU A FEW LINES WHICH WILL INFORM YOU THAT I AM STILL ALIVE AND ENJOYING TOLERABLE GOOD HEALTH. I WROTE YOU A LETTER SOME TIME AGO, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD FROM IT YET. SO, I COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT DID NOT REACH YOU OR YOUR WOULD HAVE ANSWERED IT BEFORE THIS TIME. SO I WILL TRY ANOTHER. THERE IS NOTHING VERY INTERESTING UP THIS WAY AT THIS TIME AS ALL IS QUIET OWING I SUPPOSE TO AN ANTICIPATED ATTACK ON CHARLESTON, S.C. WE ARE ALL LOOKING VERY ANXIOUSLY FOR NEWS FROM THAT QUARTER. I SUPPOSE YOU HAVE HEARD BEFORE THIS TIME OF THE DEATH OF UNCLE HENRY UTLEY. HE WAS WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG AND WAS TAKEN PRISONER AND AFTERWARDS DIED OF HIS WOUNDS. I SAW HIM JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE OCCURRED, AND HE TOLD ME IF HE WAS KILLED, I MUST LET HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS KNOW OF IT. IT SEEMS THAT HE HAD A PRESENTIMENT THAT HE WOULD BE KILLED. BUT I WILL LEAVE THIS SUBJECT, AS IT IS VERY UNPLEASANT WHEN I THINK OF IT. I HAVE BEEN TRANSFERED TO ANOTHER BRASS BAND IN OUR BRIGADE. SO, I AM AGAIN A MEMBER OF THE BAND. I WANT YOU TO SEND ME SOME ARTICLE OF CLOTHING (?). ONE HAT OR CAP SIZE 7, ONE PAIR OF SHOES NO. 8, AND THREE OR FOUR PAIRS OF SOCKS. IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, I LEFT A PAIR OF SHOES IN MY TRUNK AT AUNT SUSAN UTLEY’S WHICH YOU CAN GET AND SEND TO ME AS I EXPECT IT WOULD BE SOME TROUBLE TO GET A PAIR MADE. IF YOU CAN’T GET A HAT FOR ME, SEND ME A CAP AS I NEED ONE OR THE OTHER VERY BAD. I DON’T WANT A MILITARY CAP IF YOU CAN GET ANY OTHER KIND. ATTEND TO THIS MATTER AT ONCE FOR ME AS I GREATLY NEED THE ARTICLES SPOKEN OF. SEND THEM BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. THERE ARE SEVERAL BOYS HOME ON FURLOUGH AT THIS TIME AND WILL COME ON SOON. ALLEN BOYD AND COUNCIL SAPP WILL BOTH COME TO THE COMPANY IN A WEEK OR TWO AND EITHER OF THEM WILL BRING THE THINGS FOR ME. SEND THEM BY THE FIRST THAT COMES AND OBLIGES. YOURS, W.O. MILTON P.S. EXCUSE MY PAPER AS IT IS VERY SCARCE WITH ME AT THIS TIME. YOURS, W.O.M. ==================== CAMP NEAR RINGOLD, GA. SEPT. THE 21ST 1863 I. I. HEATH, ESQ DEAR SIR, I SEAT MYSELF TO DROP YOU A FEW LINES IN HASTE. YOU PERCEIVE FROM THE HEAD OF MY LETTER THAT WE ARE IN OUR OLD NATIVE STATE (?____) THE ENEMY. WE HAD A VERY WEARISOME TRIP FROM VIRGINIA. I CAME BY CHARLESTON AND SAVANNAH AND WHEN I ARRIVED MILLAN ON THE CENTRAL ROAD, I WANTED TO COME HOME VERY BAD AND WAS VERY MUCH TEMPTED BUT I CONCLUDED THAT I HAD BETTER NOT COME AT ALL THAN TO COME WITHOUT LEAVE. WE HAD A PRETTY BRISK FIGHT NEAR RINGOLD YESTERDAY. WE DROVE THE ENEMY A MILE AND A HALF. OUR LOSS WAS NOT VERY HEAVY. I WROTE YOU A COUPLE OF LETTERS BEFORE I LEFT VIRGINIA IN WHICH I REQUESTED YOU TO SEND SOME ARTICLES OF CLOTHING. I WILL NAME THEM AGAIN AS I WANT SOME THINGS WHICH I FORGOT T MENTION. ONE CAP OR HAT, ONE PAIR OF SHOES, WHICH I THINK I LEFT AT MY AUNT’S AS I WROTE BEFORE. TWO PAIR (DRAWERS?), 2 SHIRTS COLLARED, FOUR PAIR SOCKS, AND A PAIR OF GLOVES AND A CAP OR HAT, SIZE 7. SEND BY FIRST OPPORTUNITY. YOURS AS EVER, W.O. MILTON ========================== CAMP NEAR CHATANOOGA, TENN. OCTOBER 27TH, 1863 DEAR SIR AS I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM HOME IN SOME TIME, I SEAT MYSELF THIS MORNING TO DROP YOU A FEW LINES WHICH I HOPE WILL REACH YOU AND FAMILY IN GOOD HEALTH. I AM WELL AT THIS TIME, THOUGH I HAVE BEEN SICK SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. I GOT THE THINGS YOU SENT ME BY ALLEN BOYD. BUT THE SHOES WERE TOO SMALL FOR ME. ALL THE REST ANSWERED VERY WELL. I WROTE TO YOU FOR OTHER THINGS, BUT I THINK I CAN MAKE OUT WITHOUT THEM UNTIL I CAN GET SOME AND THEN I WILL GET SUCH THINGS AS I NEED. THOUGH I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GET ME ENOUGH JEANS TO MAKE ME A SUIT OF CLOTHES IF YOU CAN GET IT WITHOUT PAYING TO MUCH FOR IT. IF YOU HAVE GOT THE CLOTHING READY TO SEND ME WHICH I WROTE FOR IN VA., YOU MAY SEND THEM BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. IF YOU HAVE NOT GOT THEM, YOU NEED NOT PUT YOURSELF TO ANY TROUBLE TO GET THEM AS I EXPECT TO BE HOME SOME TIME THIS WINTER, AND THEN I CAN GET SUCH THINGS AS I NEED AS I SAID BEFORE. YOU NEED NOT HIRE OUT BERRY NEXT YEAR AS I WANT HIM MYSELF TO WASH AND COOK FOR ME. LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU WRITE IF YOU HAVE SETTLED ALL ACCOUNTS AGAINST ME. IF YOU HAVE PAID ALL I OWE, USE WHAT MONEY YOU HAVE OF MINE TO THE BEST ADVANTAGE. IF YOU SEE ANYTHING WHICH YOU THINK WOULD BE A SAFE INVESTMENT, LET ME KNOW. BUT I WILL LEAVE THAT MATTER WITH YOU AS YOU ARE A BETTER JUDGE OF SUCH THINGS THAN I AM. SO IN SUCH A CASE ACT TO SUIT YOURSELF AND YOU MAY BE ASSURED I WILL BE SATISFIED. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SEND ME SOMETHING TO EAT IF YOU CAN SEE ANY CHANCE TO DO SO, AS I AM WORN OUT ON THIS OLD STRONG BACON AND POOR BEFF. SO, I YOU CAN SEND ME A BOX BY SOME OF THE BOYS, I WILL TAKE IT AS A GREAT FAVOR. I WILL CLOSE AS I AM IN A HURRY. WRITE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO ME. I BELONG TO PHILLIPS’ LEGION BRASS BAND AS I WROTE TO YOU BEFORE. SO DIRECT YOUR LETTER TO CHATTANOOGA TENN., PHILLIPS’ LEGION BRASS BAND, WOFFORD’S BRIGADE, MCLAW’S DIVISION. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SOON. YOUR&C W. O. MILTON ======================== CAMP NEAR CHATANOOGA, TENN. NOV. THE 3RD, 1863 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR I SEAT MYSELF THIS MORNING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECEIPT OF YOUR KIND LETTER OF THE 26TH WHICH CAME TO HAND YESTERDAY EVENING. I WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT ALL THE FAMILY AT HOME WERE WELL BUT VERY SORRY TO HEAR THAT VIRGIL WAS SICK. I HOPE THAT HIS DISEASE WILL NOT TERMINATE SERIOUS AND THAT HE MAY GET A FORLOUGH TO GO HOME, SO THAT HE CAN GET THE NECESSARY ATTENTION. FOR I KNOW BY EXPERIENCE THAT A SICK SOLDIER GETS BUT LITTLE ATTENTION IN CAMPS. I RECEIVED THE THINGS WHICH YOU SENT ME BY ALLEN BOYD, WHICH I FORGOT TO MENTION BEFORE AND WAS VERY WELL PLEASE WITH THEM. I WANT BERRY NEXT YEAR AS I WROTE YOU IN MY LAST LETTER. SO YOU CAN KEEP HIM FOR NOW. YOU SAID IN YOUR LETTER THAT EDMOND HAD HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN TO SUPPORT AND ASKED MY WILL CONCERNING IT. I AM OPPOSED TO IT AND THINK IT BEST TO PUT A STOP TO SUCH UNJUSTNESS AS HE IS BREAKING HIMSELF DOWN TO RAISE NEGROES FOR OTHER PEOPLE AS YOU SAID. BUT I WILL LEAVE THE MATTER WITH YOU AS YOU CAN MANAGE MY BUSINESS BETTER THAN I CAN TELL YOU. I WANT YOU TO GET ENOUGH JEANS T MAKE ME A SUIT OF CLOTHES AS I WANT A GOOD SUIT OF CLOTHES THIS WINTER. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SEND ME SOMETHING TO EAST AS I AM WORN OUT ON CORN MEAL AND POOR BEEF. YOU CAN SEND ME A BOX AS THERE ARE SOME OF OUR BOYS AT HOME....WILLIAM HILL, FRANKLIN ROYAL, AND GREEN LIVELY WILL BE AT HOME IN ABOUT A WEEK ON FURLOUGH. SO, YOU WILL HAVE SEVERAL OPPORTUNITIES OF SENDING. SEND IT BY THE FIRST ONE COMING TO OUR BRIGADE. AND GREATLY OBLIGED. MY HEALTH IS TOLERABLE GOOD NOW. THERE IS VERY LITTLE EXCITEMENT UP HERE NOW AS IT IS GENERALLY THOUGHT THERE WILL NOT BE ANOTHER FIGHT HERE SOON. I WILL CLOSE. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SOON. DIRECT YOUR LETTER TO CHATANOOGA, TENN., PHILLIPS’ LEGION BRASS BAND, WOFFORD’S BRIGADE, MCCLAW’S DIVISION. YOURS &C W. O. MILTON ======================================== WINTER QUARTERS NEAR MORRISTOWN, TENN. JANUARY THE 15TH 1864 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR, AS I HAVE NOT WRITTEN TO YOU IN SOME TIME AND BEING ANXIOUS TO HEAR FROM YOU, I HAVE CONCLUDED TO WRITE TO YOU AGAIN. I HAVE WRITTEN YOU SEVERAL LETTERS SINCE I HAVE HEARD FROM YOU, THOUGH I DON’T SUPPOSE YOU RECEIVED THEM AS OUR MAIL HAS BEEN DESTROYED SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE PRESENT CAMPAIGN. THE LOST LETTER I WROTE YOU I SUPPOSE YOU RECEIVED AS I SENT IT TO BRISTOL BY ONE OF THE BOYS TO MAIL FOR ME. I WOULD HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU OFTENER, BUT I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET A FORLOUGH THINKING I WOULD GET HOME. I HAVE MADE THREE APPLICATIONS BUT ALL HAVE BEEN DISAPPROVED ON ACCOUNT OF THERE BEING OUR BAND ABSENT ON FURLOUGH FROM THIS DIVISION. BUT AS SOON AS THEY RETURN WE WILL MAKE ANOTHER TRIAL AND IT IS VERY LIKELY WE WILL GET OFF. I WISH YOU TO GET ME ENOUGH JEANS TO MAKE ME A SUIT OF CLOTHS (WHICH WILL TAKE ABOUT EIGHT YARDS) BY THE TIME I EXPECT TO COME HOME WHICH WILL BE ABOUT THE FIRST OF MARCH, AND IF I FAIL TO GET A FURLOUGH, I WILL THEN GET YOU TO HAVE THEM MADE AND SEND THEM TO ME BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. WE ARE NEEDING CLOTHING VERY BADLY, BUT THERE IS PROSPECT OF GETTING SOME BEFORE LONG. AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LOT COMING ON FOR US, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR CONCERNING MY BUSINESS WHEN YOU WRITE, HOW YOU ARE GETTING ALONG WITH IT & O. I WROTE TO YOU TO KEEP BERRY FOR ME, BUT DON’T KNOW WHETHER YOU GOT MY LETTER OR NOT. IF YOU DID, YOU MAY SEND HIM TO ME BY THE FIRST CHANCE. SEE THAT HE IS WELL CLOTHED BEFORE YOU SEND HIM, AS IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO GET CLOTHING FOR MYSELF AT THIS TIME. OUR TRANSPORTATION BEING VERY LIMITED. I HAVE NOTHING OF MUCH INTEREST TO WRITE CONCERNING THE ARMY. OUR DIVISION WAS ORDERED OUT TO MEET THE ENEMY YESTERDAY, BUT I DON’T THINK THERE WILL BE MUCH OF A FIGHT, AS THE LOCATION IS TOO HARD FOR ACTIVE SERVICE AT THIS TIME BEING COLDER THAN I EVER FELT BEFORE. MY HEALTH IS TOLERABLE GOOD AT THIS TIME. GIVE MY LOVE TO THE FAMILY INCLUDING YOURSELF. WRITE SOON. DIRECT YOUR LETTER TO BRISTOL, TENN., PHILLIPS LEGION, BASED WOFFORD’S BRIGADE, MCLAWS DIVISION. YOURS AS EVER W. O. MILTON ================= WINTER QUARTERS NEAR MORRISTOWN, TENN. JANUARY 31, 1864 I. I. HEATH DEAR SIR I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER OF THE 5TH ( ? ) LAST NIGHT THROUGH THE ( ? ) OF W. J. HILL WHO BROUGHT ME THE BOY BERRY WHOM YOU PUT IN HIS CHARGE. HE ALSO GAVE ME TWENTY TWO ( $ ?) CLOTHES WHICH HE SAID WAS ALL THAT WAS LEFT OF THE HUNDRED ( ? ) OF WHICH YOU GAVE HIM AFTER PAYING BERRY’S EXPENSES. ACCORDING TO THEM HIS EXPENSES WAS SEVENTY EIGHT DOLLARS WHICH I THINK WAS A PRETTY HEAVY CHARGE. BUT AS I HAVE NO WAY OF FINDING OUT THE ACTUAL COSTS AND NOT BEING DISPOSED TO DOUBT HILL’S WORD, I WILL LET IT GO. I FIND THAT BERRY IS NOT WELL CLOTHED WHICH OF COURSE IS NOT YOUR FAULT AS YOU HAD NOT TIME TO CLOTH HIM. I WISH YOU TO MAKE HIM A PAIR OF SHOES OR HAVE THEM MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AND SEND THEM BY THE FIRST CHANCE. AS THERE IS SUCH A DEMAND FOR SHOES IN THE ARMY AT THIS TIME THAT IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET ANY FOR HIM IN SOME TIME. JOHN HOLLAND IS AT HOME. YOU CAN SEND THEM BY HIM WHEN HE RETURNS. MAKE THEM NO. 9. I WAS VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF THE DEATH OF UNCLE JORDAN HEATH. I KNOW YOU WERE CROWDED WITH BUSINESS BEFORE AND KNOW THAT IT IS STILL HARDER ON YOU NOW. I HOPE YOU WILL HAVE AN EASIER TIME THAN YOU ANTICIPATE. I AM VERY SORRY AUNT NANCY AND AUNT SUSAN WERE DISSAPPOINTED IN SENDING THE BOX YOU SPOKE OF. THERE IS NO NEWS OF IMPORTANCE TO WRITE OF AT PRESENT AS ALL IS QUIET WITH US. THE HEALTH OF THE ARMY IS EXCEEDINGLY GOOD AT PRESENT BEING ONLY TWENTY FOUR CASES OF SICKNESS IN OUR BRIGADE. SO YOU CAN JUDGE FOR YOURSELF OF THE HEALTH OF THE ARMY. THE WEATHER AT PRESENT IS VERY MILD AND PLEASANT THOUGH WE HAVE HAD A GOOD DEAL OF SNOW THIS WINTER AND SOME OF THE COLDEST WEATHER I EVER FELT IN MY LIFE. I MUST CLOSE AS IT IS NEAR TIME FOR PRACTICE. WE PRACTICE TWO HOURS EACH DAY. I WILL SEND THIS LETTER BY BOY EDMUND AS HIS MASTER (ALLEN BOYD) WAS KILLED AT KNOXVILLE AND CONSEQUENTLY IS GOING HOME. GIVE MY LOVE TO AUNT NANCY AND ANTOINETTE AND RECEIVE THE SAME. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU AS SOON AS YOU GET THIS. DIRECT YOURS TO BRISTOL, TENN. YOURS AS EVER W.O. MILTON P.S. I HAVE CONCLUDED NOT TO SEND THIS BY THE BOY AS I MENTIONED AS I FELT IT WOULD BE LONGER IN REACHING YOU THAN TO SEND BY MAIL. YOURS AS EVER W.O. MILTON ' =============== KERSHAW’S DIVISION HOSPITAL NEAR RICHMOND, VA. JUNE THE 10TH 1864 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR I AGAIN SEAT MYSELF TO WRITE YOU A SHORT LETTER IN HASTE. I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I RETURNED TO THE ARMY FROM HOME, BUT I HAVE NOT HEARD NOTHING FROM YOU. I FEAR YOU HAVE BEEN SICK OR THAT MY LETTERS DID NOT REACH YOU. NOTHING VERY EXCITING GOING ON HERE AT PRESENT. EVERYTHING IS QUIET ON THE LINES TODAY AND GRANT SEEMS TO BE AT A LOSS TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. HE HAS BEEN MAKING EVERY EFFORT IN HIS POWER TO BREAK OUR LINES HERE, BUT HAS BEEN REPULSED AT EVERY POINT WITH TERRIBLE LOSS. I HAVE CONVERSED WITH MEN WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE BATTLE FIELDS, AND THEY TELL ME THAT THE ENEMY’S LOSS HERE IS MUCH GREATER THAN IT WAS AT FREDERICKSBURG. SO YOU CAN DRAW SOME IDEA OF THE SLAUGHTER. OUR LOSS IN KILLED IS VERY SMALL, AND NOT A GREAT MANY WOUNDED. ALL ARE IN HIGH SPIRITS. WE GET PLENTY OF RATIONS, AND ALL ARE UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO GIVE GRANT A GENTEEL THRASHING BEFORE HE GETS AWAY. LET ME HEAR WHEN YOU WRITE WHAT JOHNSTON IS DOING AS WE CAN HEAR BUT LITTLE FROM HIM. I MUST BEG TO BE BRIEF AT THIS TIME AS I AM BUSY TENDING TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED. THE WOUNDED ARE DOING WELL. MOST OF THE WOUNDS ARE SLIGHT AND WILL NOT REQUIRE TO BE SENT TO ( ? ) HOSPITALS FOR TREATMENT. GIVE ME ALL THE NEWS WHEN YOU WRITE, AND WRITE IMMEDIATELY, AS I AM VERY ANXIOUS TO SEE A LETTER FROM YOU. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL AND RECEIVE THE SAME. DIRECT YOUR LETTERS TO RICHMOND, VA. YOURS AS EVER W.O. MILTON =============== PETERSBURG VA. JULY THE 14TH, 1864 I. I. HEATH, ESQ. DEAR SIR AS I HAVE NOT WRITTEN TO YOU IN SOMETIME OWING TO THE CUTTING OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS SOUTH, I WILL WRITE YOU A SHORT LETTER TODAY HOPING IT MAY REACH YOU. BUT I ENTERTAIN A GOOD DEAL OF DOUBT OF ITS GETTING THROUGH, AS OUR MAIL IS FREQUENTLY CAPTURED BY RAIDING PARTIES OF THE ENEMY. MY HEALTH IS VERY GOOD AT THIS TIME AND HAS BEEN EVER SINCE MY RETURN FROM HOME. WE AT PETERSBURG NOW FRONTING THE ( ? ) ON GRANT, WHO SHOWS BUT LITTLE INCLINATION TO FIGHT AT THIS TIME EXCEPT AN OCCASIONAL SHELLING OF THE CITY WHICH AMOUNTS TO VERY LITTLE. GENERAL EARLY IS REPORTED TO BE WITHIN SEVEN MILES OF BALTIMORE, WHICH IF TRUE, WILL CAUSE THE YANKEES TO REMOVE SOME OF THEIR FORCE FROM THIS PLACE, AND THEN IT IS THOUGHT A PORTION OF OUR ARMY WILL REINFORCE JOHNSON. IT IS ALSO REPORTED THAT EARLY HAS CUT ALL COMMUNICATIONS FROM WASHINGTON TO BALTIMORE. WE GET OUR INFORMATION FROM NORTHERN PAPERS AND IS THOUGHT TO BE CORRECT. EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE HIGH AND STILL GOING UP. THE NEW ISSUE HAS LITTLE OR NO EFFECT IN REDUCING THE PRICES OF EVERYTHING. A MONTHS WAGES WILL HARDLY SUPPLY ONE WITH TOBACCO FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME. I WILL NOT WRITE MUCH AS I AM FEARFUL IT WILL NOT REACH YOU. GIVE MY LOVE TO ALL AND RECEIVE THE SAME. TELL AUNT SUSAN TO SEND THE SHOES I LEFT WITH HER BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY. WRITE IMMEDIATELY IF YOU SHOULD GET THIS AND GIVE ME ALL THE NEWS. OUR RATIONS ARE VERY GOOD AT THIS TIME CONSISTING OF BACON, PEAS, RICE, COFFEE, AND CORNMEAL. GOODBY FOR THE PRESENT. YOUR AS EVER W.O.MILTON ==================== CAMP NEAR WINCHESTER, VA. SEPT. 1ST, 1864 DEAR UNCLE, I WRITE YOU A FEW LINES IN HASTE TO INFORM YOU THAT I AM WELL AT THIS TIME AND HOPE THESE LINES MAY FIND YOU ALL LIKEWISE. I WISH YOU TO MAKE ARRAGEMENTS FOR HIRING BERRY OUT NEXT YEAR AS I AM GOING TO SEND HIM HOME BY THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY THAT I GET. I FIND THAT HE CAN DO ME BUT LITTLE GOOD IN THE ARMY; BESIDED I RAN A RISK OF LOSING HIM FROM SICKNESS. I COULD HIRE HIM OUT HERE IN THE ARMY, BUT I HAVE CONCLUDED IT BEST TO SEND HIM HOME AS I DISLIKE THE WAY NEGROES ARE GENERALLY TREATED IN THE ARMY. I’M SURE THAT HIS HIRE AT HOME WILL DO ME MORE GOOD THAN HIS SERVICES WILL DO ME HERE. SO, YOU MAY LOOK FOR HIM SOON OR BY THE FIRST CHANCE. I WILL TRY TO GET HIM HOME BY THE FIRST JANUARY ANY HOW AND SOONER IF POSSIBLE. I CAN NOT WRITE MUCH NOW AS WE ARE UNDER ARMS AND EXPECT TO MOVE EVERY MINUTE. I AM LOOKING EVERY DAY FOR A LETTER FROM YOU AS I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A LETTER TO MY LAST LETTER. WRITE SOON AND GIVE ALL THE NEWS. I WOULD WRITE MORE, BUT CIRCUMSTANCES WILL NOT PERMIT AT PRESENT. GOODBY FOR THIS TIME YOURS AS EVER OLIVER ======================= =========================== ==================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============