Near Petersburg, Va.,
October 29, 1864.
I suppose you have heard how we whipped the Yankees on both
this side and the north side of the James River. The killed and wounded fell
into our hands here at Petersburg, and we have been attending to their wounded
all day to-day. Our loss was very small. Wilcox's Division was occupying a part
of our line that was not assaulted, and therefore it was not engaged. We now
have strong hopes of being able to hold Petersburg and Richmond.
This war can never end until the fanatics, both North and
South, are gotten rid of. They are influenced solely by their blind, senseless
passions, and reason never enters their heads. It is always such
discontented, worthless wretches who bring about revolutions. The North is
still infested with such characters, and the South is not far behind. If we
could get those hot-headed fools in South Carolina who composed that meeting at
Columbia recently and put them in the army and get them all killed off, it
would be much better for us. What a pity we cannot have them killed, but they
cannot be made to fight. I do not believe that Boyce will fight a duel with
such a man as Tradewell, for he must have more sense than to do that.
My box is not here yet. I will continue to keep on the
lookout for it until it arrives. My dinner will soon be ready and I think it
will be fine, for I shall have white cabbage, bacon, potatoes and biscuit.
As soon as I can I will send you one hundred and fifty
dollars to pay your expenses in coming out. The Government owes me about five
hundred dollars, which I hope to be able soon to collect. If you can come by the
first of December you can remain at least three months, and I may be able to go
back with you in March.
SOURCE: Dr. Spencer G. Welch, A
Confederate Surgeon's Letters to His Wife, p. 112-3
