October 5, 1862

5

Camp near Winchester, VA

Oct. 5 - 1862

My Dear Wife –

            I have been writing you at Chester for two weeks & learned yesterday thro a letter from you Ind. McCullough’s wife that you had reached home about the ulto..  John says she had not been to see you but was going over next day – I was somewhat sorry at your going home for I think we will be in Richmond in another month.  You have never written me or if you have I never received any letter from you – I went thru the Maryland Campaign & never got hurt tho  My sword was shot in two at the battle of Sharpsburg – The same ball killed Ray Wormack (?) & struck Sam Palmer & severly wounded one of Company G – I had but 7 men in the fight.  The men were marching so hard the night before all fell out but 7.  I can out march any man we got but it has broke me down – I am verry thin but my gen’l health is good – Bob Clark was killed over there Bill (can’t read) two shots wounded but not serious – Toward the close of the battle I was the only Burke Guard in the fight all but me having been killed or wounded – I remained over an hour with nothing to fight with my sword being shot away.  I done this because some mean persons are disposed to talk about me – God forgive them – Another reason Capt. Nisbit was already killed in the morning & if Capt. Jones has been disabled I would have been in command of the Regmt. a position I do not desire but would not shrink from under such circumstances – I was near Nisbit when he fell & reported the fact to Jones – Wright was wounded in leg & side slightly - I forgot to say Bill Wormack was shot in the face & mouth which stopped his gab & I was glad of it – Write me at Richmond & I will get it – Give all my love.  Kiss Son & Sis Julie – Ed & Johnny are well.

Your affectionately

Fes

P.S. I wrote to Ma to lend me Tom to cook for me & to take Sam in his place if she needed him – I thot may be as meat was scarce she would not want anyone – Tell her not to send Tom unless he wants to come – There is no danger in his being here – give Ma & all my love – Did you order yr. letters forwarded from Chastn [Charleston?] – Remember me to Elbert  & other svts [servants]– I hope to come home this winter on furlough.

Good by with love

Fes


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Note: The next important battle in which our regiment was engaged, was Sharpsburg. Here we took into action one hundred and twenty-five men, and lost twenty-four killed and forty-eight wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Nisbet commanded the regiment in this never to be forgotten battle, and after leading his command into line, fell dangerously wounded in several places. He was left on the field of battle and fell into the hands of the enemy. Captain John F. Jones succeeded to the command of the regiment. He was soon after promoted to Major, while Captain Edward J. Walker was made Colonel, and Captain R. B. Nisbet Lieutenant Colonel of the regimenthttp://www.3gvi.org/ga3hist8.html

Wright, Ambrose Ransom----- private April 26, 1861. Elected Colonel May 8, 1861. Promoted Brigadier General, P. A. C. S., June 3, 1862. Wounded, Sharpsburg, Md. September 17, 1862.