May, Charles S. (fl. 1861) to his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06167.01 Author/Creator: May, Charles S. (fl. 1861) Place Written: Georgetown Heights Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 July 1861 Pagination: 4 pages Order a Copy
[draft]
23 July 1861, Georgetown Heights
My dear wife:
The great battle has been fought & we have been defeated. It was a terrible day. The slaughter on both sides is immense. Happily our Regiment tho' engaged in the battle in the Center suffered but slightly the hard & bloody fighting being on the right wing of our army. From 7 in the Morning til 6 at night the thunder of cannon & the roar of musketry was deafening.
We have retreated back here & are now forming our shattered [illegible] at Arlington Heights. There has been terribly imbecility among our Generals. It is awful to think of such a defeat where we so confidently expected victory. No part of the blame attaches to the troops - they fought like lions. Imbecile commanders have done it.
As for myself I am now down on my back - sick & worn out. I stood on my feet til the close of the battle when I gave out completely & Frank who was near at hand got me into a wagon & brought me on ahead of the Co. about an hour. The Lts. & the rest are safe at Antighen Heights. I have engaged a man to take me on there as soon as this letter is finished.
The last weeks trials & sufferings & ? will ? be remembered by us all. I have tested my physical endurance to the very last extent & I am afraid to my ? hereafter.
In the first battle & at the close of the last I came near falling from sunsticke [sic]. I felt a giddiness & a sense of fullness in my head which was different from anything I ever felt before. But I shall now try & recuperate if possible.
Dwight has stood it well tho' he has complained a good deal. Frank escaped in the last battle better than in the first.
I can't write more now. Will again in a day or two.
Affectionately
Charles S. ?
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