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Battle Field near Gainesville Va.
August 25, 1862
My Dear Miss Sarah,
This is the first opportunity I have had
since my last to you from Gordonsville about two weeks ago. Since our departure from
Richmond we have not remained 24 hours in the same place & have been in two
engagements—Last Saturday the 3rd Compy and our Battery together with others, engaged the
Enemy at Rappahannock Station & after a hard fight of 4 hours drove the enemy from his
position occupying his camp in the evening. The loss in our two companies was very heavy.
23 killed & wounded—one man of my piece was killed instantly & two wounded. A
statement of our loss was sent to the "Whig."
The little Battle Flag is pretty well
cut up by the shells of the enemy & we are all very proud of it. One of our guns
(nigger baby) burst mortally wounding one of our men. We lost 25 horses—This was the
hottest place we have been in. Yesterday we went into another artillery duel severe
engaged for two hours & had 3 men wounded in the 3rd co. none in ours. The tables have
been turned & we are now pressing the enemy to the wall.
We are looking for an engagement tomorrow
& should the same take place I fancy it will be quite heavy—the relative positions of
the armies are on a portion of the Battle Field of Manassas—we are but 10 miles from
Centreville—a great many prisoners are passing on the road & the enemy are shelling
the woods about 1800 yards from us but hurting no one.
By the Protection of a kind Providence I am
again spared after having had some very narrow escapes. I write today for the purpose of
informing you of my safety as I suppose the accounts of these engagements have been
published. Henry Florance is quite well & begs to be remembered. All of our wounded
boys were taken to Culpepper C.H. where the ladies are attending to them.
There is no telling when we shall see
Richmond as we might march into the Enemy's country, but I shall certainly try to come
down for the Holy days.
Remember me to Mrs. Davis & family say to
her Eugene Levy & brother are both well—we fought side by side in both engagements.
I hope ere long we will have regular mail
communication with Richmond. I must close in haste—a heavy engagement has just opened on
our left. Give my love to all the family.
Yours very affectionately,
Edwin
Should you see Mr. Everett tell him to go to
Mr. Gardeners & inquire for letters for things to bring us up 10 lbs. Sugar & some
Confederate coffee. We have plenty of eggs & butter at 12 1/2 cents per doz. Send my
white flannel over shirt & socks by him.
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