Frederick Hall

May 12^th 1863

 

Dear Father

                        Nearly twelve months ago I passed this place en route with the Brigade for the right flank of M^cClellans grand army near Gaines Mill. Now I am here again but for what object I have no idea. I wrote to someone at home from Franklin Va while our troops were lying in front of Suffolk. I had little idea then that I should have to apprise you of how little we effected down there. The main object was to procure corn and bacon. This to a certain extent was accomplished as we did bring out nearly one million pounds bacon and sixty or seventy thousand bushels of corn. Subsidiary to this object however, Suffolk should have been captured, for then we could have maintained our ground with fewer troops and at less cost—and brought out from the northern counties of North Carolina a great deal more necessary stores— 

 

our troops underwent great hardships before Suffolk, their force being so entirely inadequate to the complete investment of the town that those who were there could hardly be said to be off duty a single day. What with standing pickett digging trenches throwing up breast works &c the men were kept very busy. For my part I did quite well, as I was off on a trip into North Carolina after stores. I found the people very clever and hospitable—so much so that I never ate a meal or slept a single night in camp, but always at houses where the best of every thing was proffered me. After being so long confined to camp or at best to Virginia you can perhaps imagine how I appreciated such kindness. The section of country I was in bordered on the Dismal Swamp. The land was low and sandy & miserably poor. Manure of any kind was eagerly saved—dry leaves being often used. Before the war every one down there had plenty of negros—but the Yankees have carried nearly all of them away. Those that are left are too old to be of use. 

 

Twenty bushels corn to the acre is an excellent crop down there. About the 1^st of this month Hookers grand army was badly beaten near Fredericksburg by our hero Lee, but our victory cost us a man whose equal we may never find—"Stonewall" Jackson—He was only slightly wounded, the immediate cause of his death being pneumonia. The moral effect which this will have on both armies will be great and very hard to counteract. Our army is much depressed, while the Yankees will be encouraged to a like degree. Immediately after the battle Longstreet who was in command of the two Divisions at Suffolk received orders to march within supporting distance of Lee—Hence I presume we are here. The night that we fell back the Texas Brigade marched twenty-two miles without a halt. This was the harder on them since their duty at Suffolk had been so constant.

 

We had an election day before yesterday to fill the vacancy occasioned by Hughes' resignation. Reuben Cugler whom / perhaps you knew in San Antonio was elected. He is an excellent man but will make a poor officer in my opinion. Brahan is now 1^st Lieutenant, Eli Park 2^nd and Kindred now Captain. Thus you see not a single one of our original officers is left to us. Indeed there are only twelve of the old officers in the regiment

 

Jack Sutherland Jno Jim & Bob Murray Charlie MCalister, Brown Dansby and Floyd of the old Company are all well and with us.

 

My last letters from home were dated about the last of January—

 

Remember me please to Dr Houston and his wife, also to Mrs R Houston and Russell if he has got home. My regards to Dr Jno Sutherland and Mrs Craighead. Love to all my brothers & sisters. As for yourself and Mother you know that I am now as ever—                                                                                                                        

Affectionately

Your Son

J B Polley

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