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Bivouac 2 miles from Williamsburg
Sunday April 27, 1862
Miss Sallie,
I had the pleasure of addressing a few lines
to you last week from the Bivouac near Lebanon Church. On Friday we rec'd marching orders
for Williamsburg, 121 miles distant, which we had the pleasure of doing in a
drenching rain— "for the rain it raineth every day", no doubt caused by the
heavy & constant canonading. The enemy has been shelling Yorktown & vicinity for
the past two days, but have accomplished nothing.
We are in receipt of the telegraphic news
"Fall of New Orleans &c" but do not credit it. I should not be astonished if
we were ordered back to Richmond & thence to Fredericksburg as it is believed Massa
Geo. B. McClellan is trying to force a passage to Richmond via that point. We could just
as well have remained in or near Richmond as to be here for there is plenty of artillery
here, in fact more than we can use. Our 2nd Company has been detailed temporarily with Genl
Jones Division— they expect to go into the entrenchments—not very pleasant during this
moist weather. Our position is very strong—our left rests on Yorktown—the centre at
Lee's Mills, & right on Mulberry Island: there is one line of fortifications extending
from right to left supported by Warwick river which has been "dam(n)ed" up at 3
points to prevent the enemy from fording—they (the Yanks) tried to cross at dawn not a
couple of nights ago, but did not succeed, as we cut it for them, so as to draw them on.
No it is likely that we shall remain here for some time I will be very happy to hear from
you to the care of Col. Walton, Washington Artillery, Williamsburg. We are luxuriating in
quantities of shad & fresh beef, vegetables, bakers bread &c. So we feast one day
and starve the next. I intend going into town to see "one of the chosen" whose
name was given to me by Eugene Levy, whom I was very pleased to meet here, so au revoir.
My kindest regards to your Parents, sisters
& brothers & trusting that ere long I may have the pleasure of seeing you &
those dear to you.
I remain, yours very truly,
Edwin I. Kursheedt
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