A Gunner in Lee's Army by Graham T. Dozier

Author:Graham T. Dozier [Dozier, Graham T.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781469618746
Barnesnoble:
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
Published: 2014-09-25T00:00:00+00:00

Near Grace Church

Jan 20th 1863

My precious Wife,

I reached here on Sunday & took up my abode with William for two nights. Thanks to your large bed tick, I have slept most comfortably. Today at Genl. Rodes’ request I have taken quarters with him & mess with himself & staff. I think of you constantly & most tenderly my darling & look forward to our reunion in peace as the greatest earthly happiness that can ever befall me. I have looked over our lines hastily & have come to the conclusion that whatever the enemy may do in [the] future, it is not their intention to cross on our front immediately. The preparations are inadequate as yet to an effectual crossing. They are still intrenching on a small scale opposite to Wm P. Taylor’s. The causeway, constructed to the old ferry landing at Snowden, is a narrow insignificant concern entirely unfit for the purpose of crossing a large army.7 They may cross above Fredericksburg at Richard’s Ford, where they have cut a road.8 I hear that Longstreet[,] Jackson & Genl Lee expect a crossing, but this may be a rumor. Our lines are being made very strong & a great deal of dirt work has been done. Rodes is commanding the Division as Senior Brigadier since the departure of Hill.9 It is said that he first offered his resignation on the plea of ill health which was refused. He then applied for a transfer to the South. The result is not known except that he was ordered to Richmond. He expected to succeed in one way or another to escape this position, & seemed determined on it. He sold his extra horses & made all preparations for a final leave.

We are much pleased with Rodes & hope his chance is good for promotion to the command of the Division. Early has just received notice of his promotion. He deserves it & has the consciousness of having won it without fear or favor [but] by hard fighting. Today, there has been a review of Rooney Lee’s Brigade10 on the bottom between Wm P. Taylor’s & Morse Neck house.11 Genls Lee[,] Longstreet Jackson[,] Stuart & Hill (A. P.) were present & many of the lesser lights. Ladies in carriages[,] ambulances & on horseback & in wagons were present. Genl. Lee asked after you very kindly. Charlotte is with Rooney & Genl. Lee says Cousin Lucy Wickham was anxious to join W[illia]ms but the latter had gone off so far that he feared she could not do so.12 I don’t know where it is but suppose about Mangohick Church.13 Do write me of everything at Pampatike. I feel much more interest since I have seen you in everything there. Hart has not gone yet. His furlough has not yet returned but is on the way. Wm has applied for a detail of one Lieutenant & several men to arrest absentees & you may have an opportunity to send my collars & cravats by him. A very small trunk or large valise would do for me.

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