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https://micivilwar.com/authors/benton-thomas-h/
Regiment: 19th Indiana Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan
Opposite Fredericksburg, Va. July 2nd 1862
Dear Sister:
I should have answered your letter sometime ago, but
as I wrote to father every week I knew you heard from him
where and how I was. And I do not have time and
opportunity of writing letters that a person does at home.
We have been here now upwards of three weeks, and I cannot
tell how much longer we will stay here. We may stay
here three weeks longer, or may leave today, so
uncertain is this mode of life. Today we are well and doing
well. Tomorrow a bullet may end our career in double-quick
time. But life is no more uncertain here that at the home
fireside. But I do not think our regt. will ever be in a
battle. We are now about sixty miles from the enemy force,
and a fair prospect of staying here sometime. It is
thought here that Richmond is taken. If it is not, it
will be before we can get there. And after the
fall of the enemy’s capital, the war will be over. There is
no doubt but what there has been a great battle fought at
Richmond. We judge as much from the effect it has upon the
prominent secessionists of Fredericksburg. They get the
news through private resources much quicker than we can,
and that it has been successful to our forces
we judge by seeing the Secesh ladies weeping throughout the
city, and the men are collected in squads with faces about
a foot longer than usual, talking about something
which is not very agreeable. The rumor here is that
McClellan has lost twenty thousand men and proved
successful. Give my love to mother and Susan. This is a
very disagreeable day in camp; raining all the
time. Your brother,
T. H. Benton
