Fleetwood, Christian (fl. 1864) to Mary Gibbs
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09405 Author/Creator: Fleetwood, Christian (fl. 1864) Place Written: Yorktown, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 March 1864 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Civil War letter of one of first African-American soldiers to be awarded the Medal of Honor, and the first honored by the Smithsonian, to "Mother Gibbs." "…the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them…I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethren of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses with carts, wagons etc [?], five or six teams with carts and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful."
According to Fleetwood's diary in the Library of Congress, he received a letter from Mary F. G. on March 25, 1864 and responded to her on March 31st, the date of htis letter. From this, it has been inferred that "Mother Gibbs" is Mary Gibbs.
[draft]
Camp near Yorktown Va
March 31st 1864.
My dear "Mother Gibbs,"
Your very friendly note of 21st inst came to hand shortly after my return to camp from our last raid. And I was very glad to hear from you so much sooner than you generally do me the honor of answering my letters, and to hear that you were all well.
Many thanks for your sympathy with my little rough tramp. If I get nothing worse, I shall think myself very fortunate indeed.
I heard of your approaching wedding from a friend of yours who I am sure would not spread a false report concerning you. And though I have no reason or cause to doubt your words yet you girls always deny such things [2] and we expect nothing more of you. However as I do not know the date, I hope you will inform me in time so that I may endeavor to be present.
My compliments to Mary Mitchell tell her that her brother is not a soldier, but that he is as well and almost, but not quite, as fat, ragged, and saucy, as I am myself.
As you say I said nothing about "Our warm friend Handy" in my last, I will inform you that he is well and we are sitting opposite each other at the same table writing letters, or as we call it "Throwing up diagrams."
He said his love, and desires me to say that he has been for a long time on the "anxious bench: awaiting an answer to a letter sent to you some time ago. I will exhort him to have patience yet a little while longer just to see what will happen.
[3] I am able to say in answer to your question, that to the best of my belief, Arnold is pleased with the lady you name.
We have been on another raid since I wrote to you last, and the expedition brought in altogether 502 contrabands. I had the good fortune of being instrumental in freeing fifty or more of them. though I ran a little risk myself. I was out with a squad all night Sunday the 20th sending in people, and remained outside of our picket nearly three hours with only two men with me, having sent the others to guard down towards the Rappahannock after some people, eat my breakfast, and like a fool started down there myself. it was about two miles outside of our pickets. through [4] a very thick woods, I started up one fellow, but he ran like fun, and I could not get a shot at him, for the trees. I then began to feel a little queer and worked to turn back, but would not do it because I did not like to after starting. so I went on and finally found the men I had sent on an hour before. So we got the people except on boy we could not find, and one girl we could not find, so we borrowed a horse and cart and went into camp, and found that our picket had been fired into and charged by cavalry. I therefore could not go out again, for any more.
So we left for home that afternoon. I had the pleasure of depriving our southern brethen of over fifty contrabands, four or five horses, with carts, wagons &c. five or six ox teams and carts, and a considerable part of their good temper. For all of which I am truly thankful.
I have eight more letters to write and it is now twelve o clock at night, so I can write no more to night. I am tired also from having been on battalion drill for six hours this afternoon. I hope you can read this scratching but my pen is bad. With love to all, and much love to yourself
I remain your friend truly
Chris.
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