Hollingsworth, William T. (fl. 1861-1862) to James H. Hollingsworth

[draft excerpt:]

Since I last wrote you I have seen a harder time and witnessed far more of the terrible realities & horrors of war than ever before. You have doubtless read with great interest the accounts of the great battle before Richmond one of three called the battle of the Seven Pines fought on the 31st until 7th June. The first was truly a tremendous battle far exceeding that of Manassas I suppose. I was within about four miles of the field when the battle began, and within 1 or two miles when the firing ceased which was about dark. There was considerable cannonading but the musketry exceeded everything of the kind I had ever conceived of - the roar & rattle was continuous for several hours - the last volleys were really terrific.

I am told we had about forty seven Regiments in the fight first & last. The yankees about sixty Regts - our brave troops drove them from their advanced entrenchments & batteries, taking a number of guns & driving the enemy back about two miles - There was great loss in killed & wounded on both sides but the yankee loss exceeded our own. The battle of the next morning June 1st was a considerable battle too - it would be considered a great one aside from the other - It did not last so long but was almost as sanguinary what time it did last - which was about three hours - On Sunday night June 1st our forces encamped on the Battlefield our own 3rd Ga among others - I accompanied the Regt & have been with them & among them day & night ever since - The scene that met the eye in passing through the open fields where the battle had raged was the most horrible I ever beheld - dead bodies stretch upon the field as far as I could see - both Confederate & yankee and here and there a wounded man. I went to the entrenchments from which we drove the enemy - the work was a circular wall of earth with a rifle pit or ditch making off from one side. It was a gallant charge that drove them from it....

Early next morning our army commenced falling back to the position we now occupy -the reason for this was that this is said to be a better & much stronger position than the other - We have been here in line of battle (or so situated as to form in line in a few minutes) ever since the 2nd of this month ...We are entertained every evening nearly by a cannon duel between some batteries a little to our left and that of the enemy..."