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https://micivilwar.com/authors/benton-thomas-h/
Regiment: 19th Indiana Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, Irvin McDowell, Jefferson Davis, Nathaniel P. Banks, Rufus King
Camp near Rappahannock, May 5th 1862
Dear Father:
I received you kind letter of the 28th of April last
night and was glad to learn that you were all well at home.
I received a letter from Jesse a short time since, and he
did not say anything about Susan being unwell.
When I wrote to you last, we were on the
Fredericksburg railroad six miles northeast of the city. On
Friday last we marched to where we now are. We are
about two miles from the river. It is rumored that we will
cross the river tomorrow. I do not know how true it is.
There was a regiment of cavalry crossed today. If we
do not go tomorrow, we will in a short time. There is none
of the enemy in arms this side of the Rappahannock. One of
the Richmond, Va. papers say that it is the intention of
Jeff Davis to withdraw his troops from Yorktown and to
attack and defeat Gens. McDowell and Banks. I see by the
Washington paper that it is thought Beauregard has
evacuated Corinth and Memphis. The news just came
in camp that McClellan had routed the enemy from Yorktown,
capturing all of their fortifications and guns, and is now
in full pursuit of the retreating foe. I hope it is true,
for if it is so, this war will soon be over. I do not wish
to be at home until it is over, and the sooner the better –
as I think my place now is at home to assist you in your
declining years. But I still think under the circumstances
that I left home when I did, that were I home I would
do so again. It has not only learned me the
benefit of a good home, but has better qualified me for the
business I have been educated and brought up to. Gen.
King said in the hearing of several of our men
yesterday that his old brigade (the one we are in) shall be
the first one to enter Richmond. If so, the 19th will be the
first regt. of this corps of the Army. We are but three
days march from there now. Give my love to mother and all
the rest. Your son,
T. H. Benton
