Donahue, Thomas (fl. 1863) to Almira Winchell
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04706.04 Author/Creator: Donahue, Thomas (fl. 1863) Place Written: Warrenton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 October 1863 Pagination: Order a Copy
Describes hard marching between Culpepper and Centreville, and crossing the old Bull Run Battlefield where the skeletons of those killed were visible. Writes, "[L]ast week we Crossed the old bull run battle Field and we could See lots of Skeletons of men killed there a year ago and were left on top... if I were home and See that I would think it an awful but to See a dead man here, why it haint nothing. I have Seen dead Rebels at the Battle of Antietam lay right in the road and the wheels of the Guns would run over them..."
Warrenton Va Oct 29th/1863
Friend Almira
I will now answer your kind letter which I received the 24 & was very Glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well & was Sorry to hear that lettie and Gusta had been So Sick but I am Glad to hear that they are better I am well and enjoying myself as well as Can be expected Down here Dixie I tell you we have had Some very hard marching lately from Culpeper to Centerville is about "60" miles and now we are going [2]Going Back the Same road we Came on last week we Crossed the old bull run battle Field and we Could See lots of Skeletons of men that were killed there a year ago and were left on top of the if I had been to home and See that I would think it awful but to See a dead man here why it haint nothing I have Seen dead Rebels at the Battle of Antietam lay right in the road and the wheels of the Guns would run over them and the boys would let them lay there you spoke about John Jones I know [3] that he is not back to his Regiment because I Saw them the other day the boys is all well John Brown is fatter than a hog I Saw bill brown about a week ago he is well he was over to our Camp and I and Ed House had quite a long talk with him you Spoke about the men that was drafted well that is all right enough but I would a little rather they would keep that 900 off and make the men Come and help end this acoursed war I See that old abe has Called for three hundred thousand more men I Guess [4] that Some of them will have to Come out here yet and do a little Something for their Country well I Guess I have writen enough So I will Close Excuse all mistakes and poor writing my love to all write Soon I remain ever your Friend
Thomas Donahue
Almira Pettits Battery
Reserve artillery
Army of Potomac
Almira
Thomas
I have Got this full
Tom Tom
[envelope]
Miss Almira Winchell
Belleisle
Onondaga. Co
N York
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