My attempt to bring us out of the Gettysburg gift shop and back to what this group was intended for. This is a piece from my personal collection that is on display at The American Military Heritage Museum Of North Carolina it is a four page letter dated September 23, 1862 by Captain Benjamin Wood Richards, he was commissioned as a Captain, US Volunteers on April 1862, and was detailed as an additional Aide-de-Camp, serving on the staff of Brigadier General James B. Ricketts. He served until he resigned on March 10, 1865. He received brevets of Major, US Volunteers on August 1, 1864 for conspicuous gallantry through the campaign under General Grant at the Monocacy and in the Shenandoah Valley under General Sheridan and Lieutenant Colonel, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for gallant and meritorious conduct in the field during the war. The letter references the Battles of 2nd Bull Run, Cedar Mountain and Antietam. It Reads...... Head Quarters, Gen. Ricketts Division Camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland September 23, 1862 My Dear Howard: Your letter of the 8th duly reached me. I wrote you a few hurried lines the day after the battle informing you that I was well and escaped injury. Ever since we left the Rapidan River I have had little opportunity to write to anyone, as we have been separated from our baggage nearly all the time, marching constantly night and day and fighting occasionally, for two weeks at a time I have not had a change of clothes to put on, and we have been obliged to be ready at a moments notice to move. So I think you can well understand letter writing is no easy matter under such circumstances, and when we have had a chance to rest I was glad to take it out in eating and sleeping which I required very much. Our Division is pretty well used up and very much reduced in numbers, a great many men were lost by sickness Etc. previous to the battle of Bull Run by unceasing marching and counter marching night and day (thanks to Generals Pope and McDowell) at the Battle of Bull Run we lost a great many men, so that when we went into the fight the other day we had but 3158 men and lost 1078. Our men behaved exceedingly well as the number of killed and wounded shows, we were on the right under General Hooker who commanded that wing and opened the battle early in the morning. As far as I can learn the loss of the enemy was very heavy and far exceeded ours, perfect lines of their dead were left on the field where they were mowed down by our artillery and infantry, a great many of their wounded were left on the field and in their hospitals. It was a most sickening and horrid sight and the stench was awful. The artillery of the Rebels was well used and had our range perfectly, and as we advanced the shower of shot and shell was terrific. Our loss in officers both field and line was heavy, several of the companies have not a commissioned officer left. General Ricketts had his horse shot under him but fortunately escaped any injury himself. John Williams also escaped any injury and behaved with a great deal of gallantry. What our future movements are to be it is impossible to tell, the enemy are reported to be on the other side of the river and reinforced by Johnson with 50,000, and one brigade of ours with a battery of artillery has gone up to Damn No.4 about four miles from here to guard against any attempts of theirs to cross again. I do not think it is possible for me at present to send you the testimony of the Farrier who attended my horse, the Battery to which he was attached was so badly used up at the Battle of Bull Run that it was ordered to Washington to refit and has not returned yet, nor can I tell when it will. Why not write out the questions you want answered and have them sent to me as I can have him answer to them when he returns, also the same for the man who attended to him. I wrote Uncle George a long letter just after the battle of Cedar Mountain beyond Culpepper to which I never received any answer; do you know if it reached him? How is he and all the family, and what are they doing? Give my love to all the family and relations, and friends and say to those who have written that I have not forgotten them but really have had no opportunity to write. My love particularly to the Batsto people and tell Sally her very kind letter reached me for which I feel very grateful, and not to think I have forgotten her but will write her a good long letter the first opportunity. Tell Harry Williams he is a shabby fellow to stand on ceremony about writing to me, give much love to him and all his family. I trust his sight is improving and his general health read him this letter and write me again. You’re Ben I sent you $50 a few days ago did you secure it?
Posted on: Tue, 02 Sep 2014 19:43:17 +0000
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