Henry, Josiah E. (b. 1840) to Sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02749.010 Author/Creator: Henry, Josiah E. (b. 1840) Place Written: Staunton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 September 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21.4 x 26.4 cm. Order a Copy
Writes that they can only send letters every four days now, and soon he will not be able to send any letters for two or three weeks. They are in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia within 25 miles of Staunton, Virginia and nearly 100 miles from Harpers Ferry, Virginia. They have had two battles since he last wrote, one at Winchester, Virginia (Battle of Opequon or the Third Battle of Winchester, 19 September 1864) where "this Regiment captured a brigadier General. It was a hard fight; our forces took five cannons, 15 stand collors [sic], 2500 prisoners besides killing and wounding over 5000." The next battle was at Fisher Hill, Virginia or Strasburg, Virginia (Battle of Fisher's Hill, 21 September 1864 - 22 September 1864). Writes that they forced them out and are now following them up. March about 12 miles a day; "the rebel army has now broken up in squads of from 100 down to a dozen men, each and every one for himself." They have killed, wounded, and imprisoned about 14,000 and taken 22 cannons. Only five men killed from this Regiment; does not know how many wounded though but the number is not high. Lieutenant [Lomis] lost his right arm, so they only have two commissioned officers in the Regiment now. Had 81 muskets before they went into the engagement; Henry does not know how many they have now. Tom Varney of Westford got hit badly over the left eye during the charge at Winchester. Sending a gold pen for his sister as a present.
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