Hamiltons Crossings, May 12th/63 Dear Sister- I wrote a letter home some days ago but have not received an answer, I suppose it is owing to the irregularity of the mails between here and Staunton caused by the late raid of Gen. Stoneman and not any irregularity at home. In my last I gave you an account of our movements up to Sunday evening. I will give you an account of our operations since that time. Sunday night we slept on the battlefield with the wounded and dead of both armies, Monday morning we moved on towards the enemy who was now retreating towards the Rhappahonock. We kept on until we came up to him, posted on a strong high hill, strengthened by formidable breastworks. Many of the prisoners who came in that morning said they had another Malvern Hill ready for us. The country here is of such a nature that the attacking party labors under a great disadvantage, having to advance through an almost endless forest, which gives the enemy means to throw breastworks at every two or three hundred yards with very little labor, which the attacking party have to carry at the point of the bayonet, there being no means of bringing artillery to bear upon them except [Page 2] where the fortifications cross the road thereby causing us to lose a great many men whilst the enemy suffer comparatively little. Owing to this I suppose Gen. Lee determined to force the enemy from his position by strategy; so he commenced throwing up breastworks around the enemies position. I cannot describe the manner in which this was done unless I make a rough sketch of the position, which was thus [small sketch inserted here] So you see Gen. Lee had him cut off on both sides of the river leaving only one means of retreat, namely across the Rappahannock. He could not hold his old position because Gen. Lee could cut all provisions sent to him. To keep from crossing the river Gen. Hooker ordered a movement to take place from Fredicksburg, up the Rappahannock to force Gen. Lee's right at them, he (Hooker) could move down the river to Fredericksburg, but Gen. Lee was again too smart for them, he about facing his right, marched down the river (the enemy afraid to follow[)] for fear Gen. Lee's left would get possession of the ford and his pontoons, also sending a division (Gen. Early) in his rear, as soon as Gen. Sedgwick, who had charge of the Yankee forces, approaching up the river, saw [In bottom margin of Page 2] Enclosed you will find 100 dollars. Please get me some light boots not heavy and send down first opportunity. [Page 3] that Gen. Early was in his rear and Gen. Anderson in his front, he commenced retreating towards Frederisksburg and barely escaped being cut off by Gen. Early. So Sedgwick escaped though badly punished as Anderson attacked him as he commenced his retreat expecting to drive him back upon Early and so capture all his force, but the Dutchman was too fleet for Early and regained the north bank of the Rappahannock crossing where he came over. As he was crossing our artillery played havoc with his forces crowded on his pontoons. Gen. Hooker finding his plans all foiled and rations getting scarce determined to recross the river and claim a great victory and try another "On to Richmond" by a safer route and a more favorable time. So this ends the ninth book in the On to Richmond and the end of another Yankee General. [Note inserted between paragraphs] Send me a box if possible as rations are scarce and inferior. The next morning we were ordered to take up the line of march for Fredericksburg but as our knapsacks were left some miles in the rear as we went into the fight, we were sent back to get them. In doing this we had to pass over the battle field, and who can picture the horrors of that battle field? Our own dead had been buried and the wounded removed but the Yankee dead and wounded lay thickly over the field. [Inserted upside down in top margin of Page 3] Direct your letters to Co 'I' 4th ___ 1st Brigade. Gen Jo [Page 4] Many had not yet had their wounds dressed and lay groaning on the wet ground, praying every passer-by to change their position or give them a drink of water and now as the excitement of the battle was over our men did all in their power to alleviate their suffering, thinking not of them as enemies who had come to subjugate us but as suffering mortals. Their dead lay thick over the ground, some seemed as though they had died without a struggle without any visible wound, but the small minnie ball had done its work of death; others could hardly be recognized as human bodies, mangled and torn by the solid shot, shell, and grape, and these showed how awful had been their suffering, with teeth clenched and hands deeply buried in the earth, they seemed to have suffered agonies before death relieved them; and the poor horses were not spared, here laid some literally torn to pieces, others with feet shot off endeavoring in vain to get up. Our men humanely shot them as they would never get over their wounds. After getting our knapsacks we marched to this camp, which has been called Camp Paxton in memory of Gen. Paxton. [In top margin of Page 1] A deep gloom is over our camp over the death of Gen. Jackson. He was taken away from us I believe because we made almost an idol of him. Though we mourn his loss still we do not feel that we are without a leader. God is our leader and protector. He can raise up many a Jackson and will yet deliver us from the power of the enemy. I suppose his body has before this arrived in Lexington. My paper is out so must close, Good bye Ted