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Moms, Joseph W. (fl. 1862) to: George M. Morris.

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06451.027 Author/Creator: Moms, Joseph W. (fl. 1862) Place Written: Camp York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1862/03/07 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

Joseph's division is close to the Confederate forts which have fired at the camp but have not hit anyone yet. The soldiers "holler[e]d over to them if they co[ul]d not dew any better than that they had better quit." They are two miles of Yorktown where "Cornwallis gave oup [up] his sword to Washington." General McClellan, who "was dressed verry common," is with the division and "has sent a flag of truse to General McGruder." Joseph assumes "the ball will be opened this afternoon if they dew not surrender." He was on picket 300 yards from the forts while the Confederates, "belching and singing," threw a shell into a nearby house, burning it down. He "could hardly keep from shooting at them," aiming his gun several times to do so but managing to resist.

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