When I wrote to you
on the 7th instant I thought our fighting was over, for we had driven the
Yankees off the field at the Wilderness and they had refused to attack us
again; but we had another big fight with them the next day (8th instant) near
this place. Then on the 10th another big fight here, and then one again
yesterday that was the most terrific battle I have ever witnessed. The musketry
and cannon continued from daybreak until night. Nothing that I have ever before
heard compared with it. We were behind breastworks, but the Yankees charged
into them in many places, fighting with the greatest determination, and it
strained us to the utmost to hold our own. Such musketry I never heard before,
and it continued all night, engaged with our brigade. It was perfectly fearful.
I never experienced such anxiety in my life. It was an awful day, and it seemed
to me as if all the “Furies of Darkness" had come together in combat.
Everybody who was not firing was pale with anxiety, but our noble soldiers
stood their ground, fighting with the utmost desperation.
The Yanks certainly
tried their best yesterday, and they made us try our best too. It was the most
desperate struggle of the war. I do not know that it is ended, but we have
quiet to-day. I have not heard, but I hope the Yankees are gone and that I
shall never again witness such a terrible day as yesterday was.
My brother passed
through it all untouched. His company lost four killed, besides many wounded.
John Landrum was killed and Scott Allen badly wounded. Mrs. Miriam Hunter's
husband is mortally wounded. General Abner Perrin was killed, Colonel Brockman
lost his arm, Captain McFall his eye, and General McGowan was severely wounded
in the arm. This makes the fifth time he has been wounded. You will see all
about it in the papers. I saw your brother Edwin yesterday. He was well, but,
like everyone else, very anxious.
I will try to write
you a longer letter when my mind gets settled.
SOURCE: Dr. Spencer
G. Welch, A Confederate Surgeon's Letters to His Wife, p. 96-7
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