Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/franklin-luther/
Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Fair Oaks, Virginia; Fredericksburg, Virginia; Williamsburg, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Camp Near Falmouth Va
Dec 17th 1862
Dear Parents
we are now where we
from last Thursday
morning but with 94 less men than
when we started. We left here Thursday
11th inst. went about about 1 1/2 mile + staid
until near sunset + then marched on
1/2 mile in the woods + staid all night
next day until 4 o’clock we then
marched 2 1/2 miles and camped for the
remainder of the night, started next
morning at 4 o’clock + went across the
river. There was very heavy commanding
all the time in front to the right
we got on the battle field about noon
+ supported the Randolph battery from
R.J. at about 2 o clock P.M. the enemy
came most to close to the batterys to
suit our fancy so we were ordered to unsling
knapsacks we know then what was
coming we started on
[ ? ] trot in a line of
battle we went so for near 30 rods when
we went over the bow of the hill +
such a volley was poured in us I never
saw before I never saw men fall so fast
in my life we thought it was bad
at Williamsburg + Fair Oaks but
it was no comparison. We took in
250 or 260 men + we had 11 killed
+ 86 wounded several mortally
Lieut Col Galuly (former Capt of
Co. J.) was killed. The ball hit him in
the head. This Co lost 7 killed + 70
wounded, I will give the names.
Killed. John O. Cleveland. Wounded
John Braden 1
st Sergeant George Bell.
4
th Sergeant., Corporal John Woods
George Webb arm amputated L. Keen
D.E. Shippey F DoLittle mortally,
O Hancock mortaly W. Tracy. D
Sinkly. You may not like the
notion of my going in action
but I had rather be killed than
play the coward as Frank Morehouse
did. His relatives and friends may not
like the notion of my telling of it
but I can’t help that. Just as
we got the order to unsling knapsacks
some of the boys of that Co. (Co H) said
now we are going in Frank heard it
+ commenced crying the order was given
to forward march when he (Frank
trembled and cried so he could not
stand up he fell down + the Lieut
(Gunsolly) asked him what the
matter was + he said he did not
want to go in he was afraid he
would get killed +c. the Lieut told
him if he was such a damned
coward as that to go back which he
did it double quick he has not
been seen by the Regt since the boys
say if he does ever come back they will
give him a “rubbing down” I had
“flunked out” that way I never
would want to show my face again
where I was known.
This Regt is now very well
but very never run I hope they
never will it is about
dinner time so I must close
Your affectionate Son
Luther Franklin
John Franklin
P.S. I suppose Elbridge will
want you to know who I tent with
now John is dead well it is Jim
Haggard Dier Wickum John Weth
erway Rube Howe is as duty
+ lousy as ever no more
L. Franklin
