Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/campbell-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Fredericksburg Va
May 18, 1864
Dear Brother,
I’ll attempt
to write but little at
this time. but just
give a faint outline
You of course know that
we are still in the
[ ? ]
of battle. it has raged
fearfully for a number
of days. and there are an
immence quantity of
wounded. I have been
on the field several
times while they were
at it the artillery and
musket firing was terrific
part of the time the
rebels, I think have much
the worst of it. this
their prisoners admit our
train is now at Freder-
icksburg. several miles
in the rear, yesterday
I went out to the
front with several
others. the guerillas
fired on us by the
[ ? ] but no great dam-
age was done only two
men wounded our
troops and the rebels
move
[ ? ] close to
each others almost with-
in speaking distance both
sides have very strong
works thrown up.
I watched the rebels
quite a while from
our advanced
[ ? ]
through in
glall glass,
but it was rather risky
work, as the sharpshooters
kept popping away
most of the time, so that
we had to be on the
lookout. I here has been
but little fighting for
several days. Still a
general engagement may
commence at any hour
the second corps made
a charge yesterday, and
took some works, but
last considerable,
so I should judge as the
ambulances were kept
quite busy for a while.
We are receiving rein-
forcements very fast
from Washington and
other places. all stragglers
are promptly picked up
and sent to the front
So that our army is
stronger now then
it was before the battle.
We had a
[ ? ] tedious
time during the worst
of the fighting but all
are getting rested, our
regiment has lost
about half in killed
and wounded.
But you will have
to excuse the greaters
of haste. I am feeling
well, and enjoying it.
With respects to all
I remain as ever
Yours
To Wm
R. Campbell
Campbell
[On Envelope:]
Mr. Wm Campbell
Ypsilanti
Mich
