16 August 1862: “it seems likely that another general engagement like that of Manassas will occur on that line…”

Item description: Letter, 16 August 1862, from Charles Woodward Hutson to his father.

Item citation: From the Charles Woodward Hutson Papers, #362, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

16th Aug. 1862.
Sick Camp near Richmond.

Dear Father,

Through Gardner’s kindness, your letter of the 11th, instead of going on to the company, reached me this evening. You may be sure that it was with the greatest pleasure that I enjoyed once more the long-lost luxury of a letter from home. The enclosed remittance of six dollars arrived safely and was very acceptable. I fully concur in the plan of transfer form my old company to the Beaufort Artillery, which you propose to me, and thank you for the trouble which you have taken in advancing the project. I shall at once write to Logan, who is now with the company, enclosing him the form of application and the letter to Col. Gary, which you sent me, and entreating him to use his influence with the latter.

I may, however be sent to camp tomorrow among the convalescent, in which case I will not send these papers to Logan, but apply in person on my arrival. I have already applied for a furlough of thirty days on the brigade-surgeon’s certificate of general debility. I entertained but little hope of success, and was, therefore, not much disappointed at the failure of my application. I fear that transfer will be as difficult to procure at this time, as furloughs.

It was by Mother’s letter that I was first informed of Charley’s having been wounded. I had not heard a word of it before. I am very glad that he is at home. From the tone of Mother’s letter I have reason to hope that the wound is not a serious one. I am very anxious to learn the particulars, & hope to be gratified by Em’s next letter.

My own impression as to the application for transfer is, that it will have to go up to Gen. Lee, as my transfer if granted would remove me from the command of Gen. Johnston, for whom he is now acting. This consideration, it seems to me, will make his signature necessary. I have written to beg Logan to push it through as far as he can.

The Legionary infantry are marching on, not to Fredericksburg, as I supposed, but to Gordonsville; and it seems likely that another general engagement like that of Manassas will occur on that line.

The parcel, which Mother writes was sent by mail, has not reached me yet.

I had not heard before of Lamar Wardlaw’s death nor of Alick Haskell’s losing his young wife at the hand of the same grim destroyer.

Truly death and sorrow have swept through the ranks of the class of 1860, as if to make it a fit emblem of that fatal and tear-stained period which opened, as we passed out into manhood and the great world. I had heard from Charley Leverett of the death of Willie Martin, and it saddened me very much.

I am not at all unwilling to leave my company, or the service in Virginia on some accounts, as the former has seen many changes & been stripped of some of my best friends; & as to the latter, I think I have seen enough of it. I see my paper is out, & the daylight nearly so. My best love to Mother & all.

Your Loving Son,
C.

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