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Summary
Benjamin Wright was writing to his wife, Abigail. He was writing about how his best friend is super sick and had to write his friend's will. During the letter it explains how his sergeant came from the frontlines because he was also sick. When he went to the hospital, he noticed how many people were sick. Finally he was saying how he had to go to the front lines soon and how only God can choose the fate of everyone on the battlefield.
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Camp 10th Regs. C. W. Morris Island
Aug 10th 1863
My Dear Abbie
This is an oppressively hot -day. the sweat is pouring off me like rain. I came down off picket. this morning early, washed up and put on some clean clothes. when we went out it was understood we were we with only to stay five days. our time in that cause would be up tomorrow night, but we hear we are going to stay five days more. if we do I think I our men will be about used up. I don’t know as I should have come down to deny if I have not heard that -Orley Long was very sick. I heard it last-night. I found him in the Hospital a very sick man. he was the a cute dysentery. I am afraid his cause if doubtful but I hope for the best. he never mixed up his mind he was not- going to get- up. he sent for me as soon as I go to Camp. he wanted me to
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write a will for him. also to [take] an inventory of his effects and in cause he dies to take change of his things. he was a good deal more sprained. I cherish him up as here. I confess before I left- I think he felt better. I hope he will get up that his life may be spared. a good man is always when he dies is always a loss. how much greater loss in times who these when good men as so much needed in the Army 12th. enclosed I send you a letter I have written to Ophelia. I wish you to read it and if nothing is amiss take it to her immediately do it in person if you think any thing is amiss you can & scratch it out -but- I have written to as I fell to be the truth. you will see by that that McCoy has gone. his days how below have been numbered and he called from time to eternity. I deeply feel his loss I had been more unlimited with him then anyone who served. One after another passes away. Who of us will live to see the eve of these times! God only know. Although him know of my ultimate times have follow. this
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is the first one from my miss that -have been taken by the hand of death. my miss at first contained ten and afterward fifteen. God has wonderfully persevered us. And Although he has had his afflicting hand on us now. we have get cause for thankfull-ness that own lives have thus been spared. Long will be much missed in the Co. I don’t know hardly who there is that can take his place. Capt. White is not well at all and I am afraid never will he in this climate he is not able to time to things at all in the Co. now. Lieut. Marshal is a good deal careless not- very well calculated to take charge of the Co. Long was a business man and would do a good deal towards keeping things straight. there is not a Sergt. like him in the Co. Capt. White feels his loss deeply he was having every thing done for him that was possible. he almost used himself in helping to get things fixed up for Song so that he could be comfortable. I have but- very little time to write as I must go to the
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front- very soon. it will not be the necessary for me to state particular about Song’s cause as you will never it in the better I have written to Ophelia
A good merry men are sick in the Regt. and if we don’t get- a chance to get- pills soon more will be down. the men can’t stand being on duty- night- and day very long this hot- weather. they get used up. the diarrhea takes hold of them, and if there not- very careful and get it quickly they soon get very down. I believe if Sergt. Longs case have been taken no time he would have been a live man to day. Sergt. Holmes is quite sick. He had to be helped down from the front- day before yesterday. I think how-ever he will be better in a few days hope so almost. Henry Becher is in the Hospital quiet sick but Mr. Hunt- who is there taking care of the men will tell me he thinks he will get along. I hope soon something will be done, is waiting in suspense is about as big as defeat- but- I suppose it as big on the Rilis as it is on us. so far we have had no accident- as, own and of the time, although as the other the have some almost every day. I am feeling well so as to help myself- I got some Pills of the Dr this morning to take daily. I got- my pills. Powerless & Rejoy that- you sent-
Response Letter
Greenwich, Connecticut
Aug 27th, 1863
Dearest Ben,
Every day I seem to miss you more and more- yet your letters bring me peace on the darkest days. I've been thinking much of your last letter you sent and wanted to send my own letter back. I would like to say first that I feel your pain from the words in your writing. Your grief is evident in every pen stroke, yet- though it might seem guilty- I am glad the sickness hasn't spread to you. What terrors you've faced with your Co. It's quite terrible, but to think you are doing well is enough for me. I pray all those who are sick find healing, and all of you grieving find security. I know how much Long meant to you, yet do not let this stop you, nor let you down. Keep fighting hard.
Love,
Your Abbie
Family Tree
More facts about the day he wrote the letter
On August 10 ,Monday
Federal troops under Gen. Frederick Steele began to march from Helena Ark., toward the capital at Little Rock, Elsewhere there was skirmishing at Dayton Mo.; Bayou Tensas, La.; and the start of a thirteen-day expedition by Federals from Big Black River, Miss., to Mempis, with considerable skirmishing. Meanwhile, Grant’s huge army Corps was sent to Carrollton, L.a. Discontent over rations and lack of furloughs appeared to be the reason for a mutiny of several Confederate regiments at Galveston, Tex., but order was soon restored.
President Lincoln assured Gen. Rosecrans, in command north of Chat-tanooga, that “I have not abated in my kind feeling for and confidence in you.” He added “Since Grant has been entirely relieved by the fall of Vicksburg, by which Johnston is also relieved, it has seemed to me that your chance for a stroke has been considerably diminished.
Military
Benjamin Wright fought in the siege of Petersburg. Which lasted 292 days in all making it the longest battle in the Civil war. The Siege of Petersburg had 60,000 casualties and it also had the eventual collapse of Confederate supply lines. Petersburg is located in Virginia where it involved intense trench warfare from Petersburg to the outskirts of eastern Richmond, the capital. But Most of the Siege of Petersburg was fought around Petersburg, Virginia. The battle was also called The Second Battle of Petersburg and The Battle of Petersburg.
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