2 March 1864: “…news has just reached us the enemy are going in the direction of Lynchburg…”

Item description: Letter, dated 2 March 1864, from Robert W. Parker to his wife, Rebecca “Beck” Louise Fitzhugh Walker, about minor engagements, troop movements, and camp conditions in Virginia.  Parker mentions action and movement around several places, including Madison, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Stanardsville, Fredericksburg, and the Rivanna River.

[transcription available below images]

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Item citation: From Volume 4 in the Robert W. Parker Papers, Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Item transcription:

first page                                                                Camp 2nd Va Cavalry

March the 2, 64

Dear Beck   I drop you a few lines to inform you I am yet alive and well as one could be under existing circumstances  We have had quite a hard time since last sunday marching to intercept those yankeys that went near scharlottesville last monday and yesterday was the trying time with us on their way near scharlottesville go Back to Madison that night went around to get a head of them which we did and laying in ambush on the road they had to traville but they did not come that night being last monday  so tuesday morning we started to stanards ville and were met By the enemy some three thousand strong gave them a flight but was flanked so heavily that we had to fall back the force on our side consisted principally of the 2nd Va. Cavalry.

second page

our losses has not ascertained yet as some may come in yet none from our company quince Dickinson and several other of co A the only one of our regiment wounded bad that I have heard of and since reported dead is Lieut. William Parker shot through the Bowels. we reached camp some two hours ago and have just received orders to be ready with two days rations to move at a minutes  working in the direction of Frederisckburg  the yankeys have crossed cavalry and infantry and the cavalry have reached the central road and turn up a good deal of it. I think our army seems to moving  I fear the enemy have touched in tender place with all of the principal part of our cavalry and infantry Back in the rear… I hope general Lee will turn up wright for them yet  the yankey didn’t get farther the revanner River five miles from Schorlotts ville  I rote a letter to Pa a fiew days since but failed to send it and tor it up when I started in the fight.  I have written to you to send me $120 and hope to get it soon but fear you may not receive the letter in time  I also wrote to Pa to send it but failed to send it  you or he either will send it as soon as possible as I want to pay it our before the new curancy comes in the money is for sam Nichols $100 dollars of it which I borrowed from him  I had hoped on reaching camp camp I would get a letter from you but failed as we looked for george yesterday and day before but he didn’t come

our horses are redusing as fast as they can as we have had nothing for them to eat for three day  the news has just reached us the enemy are going in the direction of Lynchburg but hope the report is false  all in usual health

I must close haven given you the news  Send this to Pa and ma My love to you georgie mory & all a fare well

Write soon and often Devotedly Robert

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