We have just
finished a forced march of about forty miles, and have fallen back from near
Fredericksburg to within ten miles of Richmond. The Yankees intended to take
the Richmond and Potomac Railroad, so we came to reinforce the army already
stationed here.
We started last
Saturday about dark and continued to travel over the bad, muddy roads all
night. We had a very tedious march and did not stop except to get the artillery
out of the mire, and at one time to eat and rest a little. Whenever the men
would come to mud holes and fords of rivers they would plunge right in without
hesitating a moment. This is necessary, because an army must never be allowed
to hesitate at anything.
Our brigade consists
of the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth South Carolina and the Thirty-eighth
North Carolina regiments, and is commanded by General Maxey Gregg.
Our division is
about fifteen thousand strong and is commanded by General Joseph R. Anderson.
It extended several miles, and whenever we would get into a long, straight
piece of road where I could look back the sight was most amazing. The compact
mass moved four deep, and, with their glittering guns, looked like a river of
human beings.
I stood the march
finely, and your brother Edwin did not seem to be jaded at all, neither did
Billie. Coppock was too sick to move, so we left him behind; but I do not
believe he will fall into the hands of the enemy. They are not advancing in that
direction. We have been living on crackers and bacon, but I got a fine
breakfast this morning on the road. General Gregg and his staff were present
and I had the honor of being introduced to them all.
There is little
doubt but that we shall get into a fight very soon, possibly before you receive
this letter. There must be fighting somewhere on the line now, for I hear the
booming of field pieces. We are well prepared for them, and whether we whip
them or not they cannot whip us badly.
Take good care of
yourself and George.
