Stevens, Whitfield to Archabald Wade
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00220 Author/Creator: Stevens, Whitfield Place Written: Winchester, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 05 October 1862 Pagination: 3 p. : envelope; 20 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Whitfield Stevens, a Confederate soldier from Company A of the 4th Virginia Infantry (Stonewall Brigade) writes to his grandfather (letter addressed "Dear Granpa") and sends his letter in a "Yanky Envelope." Written from "Camp Bunkers Hill" outside of Winchester, Virginia. Mentions that his regiment has been badly wounded and predicts that they only have one big fight left in them before they break for winter.
[Draft Created by Crowdsourcing]
Camp Bunkers Hill Oct 5th 62
Dear Granpa I seat my self this Eavening to rite you a few lines to let you hear from me I am well at this time and these lines may find you all well I have no knews worth riting to you we are in Camp at Bunkers Hill 13 miles Below Winchester every thing is quiet in camp to day But the yankeys is close by Our army is Very badly cut to peacies Some [struck: Regtm] Regments has not more than 1.50 men Six months ago they [strikeout] was full Regt you all up there have but [inserted: little] idia how bad the army is cut up in [struck: at] When I left my Company there was 1.00 men able for Duty and now there
[2]
26 men with the company I think that we will have one more big fight and then stop for this Winter I wish the war would Stop for I am geting Very tired of eating Bread and Beef we get nothing but bread [strikeout] and Beef to eat all the time - - -
Well I have no knews to rite So I will as as I have to go out on Dres porade and the male boy is about to [struck: Stop] Start give my Best respects to aunt Margret and unkle Calohill and family and Reserve a portion for your [struck: sef] self Granpa rite as soon as you get this and give me all the [struck: knew] knews Direct your letter to Whitfield Stevens (Co) A 4th Va Regt Care of Capt Fulton to follow
[3]
Jacsons army I cant tell you what [strikeout] post ofice to Direct it to but if you Direct it the way I have rote above and it will be all rite- - -rite soon.
Whitfield Stevens
Camp Bunkers Hill Oct 5
I will enclose this letter in a Yanky Envalope
[4]
Mr. Archabald Wade
Wades post office
Bedford Co. Va.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.