Letter of Tally Simpson
From: Tally Simpson, Camp near Fredricksburg
To: Anna Simpson
To: Anna Simpson
Camp near Fred'burg
Dec 25th, 1862
Dec 25th, 1862
My dear Sister
This is Christmas Day. The sun shines feebly through a
thin cloud, the air is mild and pleasant, [and] a gentle breeze is making music
through the leaves of the lofty pines that stand near our bivouac. All is quiet
and still, and that very stillness recalls some sad and painful thoughts.
This day, one year ago, how many thousand families, gay and joyous, celebrating Merry Christmas, drinking health to absent members of their family, and sending upon the wings of love and affection long, deep, and sincere wishes for their safe return to the loving ones at home, but today are clad in the deepest mourning in memory to some lost and loved member of their circle. If all the dead (those killed since the war began) could be heaped in one pile and all the wounded be gathered together in one group, the pale faces of the dead and the groans of the wounded would send such a thrill of horror through the hearts of the originators of this war that their very souls would rack with such pain that they would prefer being dead and in torment than to stand before God with such terrible crimes blackening their characters. Add to this the cries and wailings of the mourners - mothers and fathers weeping for their sons, sisters for their brothers, wives for their husbands, and daughters for their fathers - [and] how deep would be the convictions of their consciences.
Yet they do not seem to think of the affliction and
distress they are scattering broadcast over the land. When will this war end?
Will another Christmas roll around and find us all wintering in camp? Oh! That
peace may soon be restored to our young but dearly beloved country and that we
may all meet again in happiness.
But enough of these sad thoughts. We went on picket in
town a few days ago. The pickets of both armies occupy the same positions now
as they did before the battle. Our regt was quartered in the market place while
the others occupied stores and private houses. I have often read of sacked and
pillaged towns in ancient history, but never, till I saw Fredricksburg, did I
fully realize what one was. The houses, especially those on the river, are
riddled with shell and ball. The stores have been broken open and deprived of
every thing that was worth a shilling. Account books and nots and letters and
papers both private and public were taken from their proper places and
scattered over the streets and trampled under feet. Private property was
ruined. Their soldiers would sleep in the mansions of the wealthy and use the
articles and food in the house at their pleasure. Several houses were destroyed
by fire. Such a wreck and ruin I never wish to see again.
Yet notwithstanding all this, the few citizens who are
now in town seem to be cheerful and perfectly resigned. Such true patriots are
seldom found. This will ever be a noted place in history.
While we were there, Brig Genl Patrick, U.S.A., with
several of his aides-de-camp, came over under flag of truce. Papers were
exchanged, and several of our men bought pipes, gloves, &c from the
privates who rowed the boat across. They had plenty of liquor and laughed,
drank, and conversed with our men as if they had been friends from boyhood.
There is nothing new going on. I am almost dead to hear
from home. I have received no letters in nearly three weeks, and you can
imagine how anxious I am. The mails are very irregular. I hope to get a letter
soon. Dunlap Griffin is dead, died in Richmond of wounds received in the last
battle. Capt Hance is doing very well. Frank Fleming is in bad condition. (He
has been elected lieutenant since he left.)
Write to me quick right off. I wish to hear from you
badly. Remember me to my friends and relatives, especially the Pickens and
Ligons. Hoping to hear from you soon I remain
Your bud
Tally
Tally
Pres Hix cam for the remains of Nap his brother and
Johnnie Garlington yesterday and will take them to Richmond today. They will be
carried on home immediately. Tell Aunt Caroline Jim is getting on finely. Howdy
to all the negros. I have received the bundle of clothes sent to Columbia. The
bundle contained one shirt, one scarf, and two pairs of socks. At least I
suppose it is the one you sent to Col[umbia] to be sent to Barnwell at
Richmond. I am a thousand times obliged. When is Harry coming? Oh! that peace
may soon be restored to our young but dearly beloved country and that we may
all meet again in happiness.
This letter is excerpted from a book titled Far, Far
From Home. a collection of letters of Dick and Tally Simpson, members of
the 3rd South Carolina Volunteers.
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