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Letters to Ma

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  • #16
    Re: Letters to Ma

    Camp of the 4th Texas Regt near
    Richmond, Va. March 31st 1863
    finished on April 12th on account of having to march.

    My Dear Mother,

    Nothing afforded me more delight than did the reception of your letter this morning. I received one also from brother James, dated at Houston Texas stating that he was then on his way to Morgan (Tenn./ Gen?), where he would try and do something for me which I think he has sadly neglected, knowing as he does my situation under Capt. Billingsley, who has reduced every non commissioned officer to ranks that was wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg simply because we stayed in the Hospital two months under the direction of the Surgeon in charge, who would not have allowed us to return had we desired to do so. I submit with the meekness of a lamb. The rest are appealing to a higher authority and will be reinstated because they were not guilty of disobedience of orders and will be upheld by a tribunal of Justice who are compelled to attend to their case.

    Poor Ned, he has long since been sleeping beneath the cold silent sod, and the heart once beating big with patriotism is pulseless in the chamber of death. I never knew how I loved him until now he is gone and I miss him from my side in the carnage and strife of the red battlefield, where his cheering words were always heard “Sam, aim low and stick to your company.” And when he left me lying on the battlefield at Gaines Farm, he was so true to duty that he merely sighed and went on, but to fall in a few moments himself, while bearing two of the Enemie’s flags from the field. Poor fellow, his dream of ambition and fame is over. Sleep noble born boy, sleep in Peace.

    I am not with the Regt. at present, being on detached service attending to the sick that had to be left behind.

    I have so much to attend to that I can scarcely find time to write. I will write you a good letter in a day or two. Good bye, Ma, God bless you is the prayer.

    Of your affect. son
    C.S. Worsham

    Company E. 4th Regt. Tex. Vol.
    Greg Bullock
    [URL="http://www.pridgeonslegion.com/group/9thvacoe"]Bell's Rifles Mess[/URL]
    Member, [URL="http://www.civilwar.org/"]Civil War Preservation Trust[/URL]
    [URL="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/index.php"]Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation[/URL]

    Comment


    • #17
      Re: Letters to Ma

      "Capt. Billingsley, who has reduced every non commissioned officer to ranks that was wounded at the Battle of Sharpsburg simply because we stayed in the Hospital two months under the direction of the Surgeon in charge, who would not have allowed us to return had we desired to do so."

      Three cheers for Capt. Billingsley. What a turd!

      Very interesting letter... thanks,
      Brad Ireland
      Old Line Mess
      4th VA CO. A
      SWB

      Comment


      • #18
        Re: Letters to Ma

        Here is the last letter I have from C.S. Worsham to his mother.

        Camp 4th Texas Regt. near Chattanooga, Tenn. Sept. 24th 1863

        My Dear Mother,

        Having an opportunity of sending a letter by a gentleman going to Texas, I hastily pen this by the light of a campfire. I have passed through a great deal since my last was written. We have had a great battle here a few days ago and defeated Rosencrans the Yankee Genl. with the loss of 5000 killed and wounded and 7000 prisoners, 40 stands of colors and 37 pieces of artillery. Our loss, killed, wounded, and missing is about 8000. We are expecting an engagement here tomorrow but I hardly think it will come off as the Yankees are too much panic stricken to make a stand this side of the Tennessee River.

        One of your letters came to the Regt. for me while I was absent and was lost by my messmate on he field of Gettysburg, Pa. Texas has been as a land of dreams for the last five months, for during that time no news has reached me of its shores.

        Our little Regt. that came out numbering 900 men now only musters 137 muskets – a sad reduction indeed. If they can entirely (rout?) Rosy and Grant and establish communication once more, they intend furloughing the Texas Brigade. I am right here at my old home, but I was so small when I left here, you know that my recollection entirely fails me. I intend any way to make inquiries about some I recollect. Do you ever hear from Sister and Bro. Will? If so, write me how they are and what they are doing, also about Bro. Lee. I have been unable as yet to learn anything of Bro. James. I cannot tell where he is.

        Ma, I am a different boy now to what I was when I left you. I have been Baptized by our Chaplin and am trying to be a Christian Soldier Boy. Oh may all my brothers strive to do the same for their Mother’s sake.

        You must not wait for me to write, but send letters by any one coming to our Army for oh, they are always Messengers of Joy to the weary hearted Soldier.

        If you ever hear anything of Cousin Lou again, ask her please to write to her poor forgotten Cousin who welcomes her missives as the thirsty traveler welcomes the sight of some refreshing stream.

        And now in conclusion, my own dear mother, let me say in conclusion, pray often for your absent soldier boy, that his life may be spared and that his may be spared (sic) and he be allowed to return in safety to your arms. God bless you.

        Good bye, Your affectionate son
        C.S. Worsham

        Address: Company E. 4th Texas Regt.
        Hoods Div. Gen Bragg’s Army
        Greg Bullock
        [URL="http://www.pridgeonslegion.com/group/9thvacoe"]Bell's Rifles Mess[/URL]
        Member, [URL="http://www.civilwar.org/"]Civil War Preservation Trust[/URL]
        [URL="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/index.php"]Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation[/URL]

        Comment


        • #19
          Re: Letters to Ma

          Note: Letter submitted with application from Charles’ mother Elinor G Bryan Worsham, to her other son James; it was hard to read. Some punctuation has been added and spelling corrected for readability. No date on letter. She refers to her son Charles Samuel Worsham as Sammy.

          Lee has the last letter.

          Dear James,

          I have sent you all the clothes you have here and one pair of socks. I have no wool socks knit but I will knit you some as soon as I can, and if you have no warm pants I made some (?) for myself, but I can make you a pair of pants. It is dark woolen cloth. Write to me how I could send it. I have spun fifteen yards of cloth, nine of cotton and six of wool. I work harder than I ever did. My health is bad yet I want to try and see if you can get me some (tar?) and (liver wort?) and I will send you the money. Ask the price of balsam (?) of wild cherry and tar (?). They sell it here for two dollars and a half a bottle. Write and I will send the money.

          God bless you my child. Lee is sick in the hospital with a cough. Write often.

          E.G. Worsham
          Sammy is wounded. It is in the paper.
          Greg Bullock
          [URL="http://www.pridgeonslegion.com/group/9thvacoe"]Bell's Rifles Mess[/URL]
          Member, [URL="http://www.civilwar.org/"]Civil War Preservation Trust[/URL]
          [URL="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/index.php"]Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation[/URL]

          Comment


          • #20
            Re: Letters to Ma

            I apologize but someone had sent me a PM asking if they could post the letters on their webpage, but the PM's were lost in the last crash. If that person could PM me again, I had some more information to pass along.

            Thanks
            Greg Bullock
            [URL="http://www.pridgeonslegion.com/group/9thvacoe"]Bell's Rifles Mess[/URL]
            Member, [URL="http://www.civilwar.org/"]Civil War Preservation Trust[/URL]
            [URL="http://www.shenandoahatwar.org/index.php"]Shenandoah Valley Battlefield Foundation[/URL]

            Comment

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