Ward K. Armory Sq

Hosp^t Washington Sept 17

 

Dear Auntie

                        Your kind letter of Sept. 7^th was received with great pleasure and I am sorry that I am not in a condition to write a decent answer but will do the best I can. There is nothing that I can write about but myself as I am not in position to know what is going on.

 

            From the time we left Harrisons Landing till the day of battle (21 days) we had been on the move all the time marching from 15 to 30 miles per day; and for several days previous to the fight we were short of rations and lived chief- / ly on green corn; on the day of the battle we had nothing to eat; leaving the position we occupied the previous night, before daylight, we were not allowed to stop anywhere long enough to cook a cup of coffee the only thing we had with us; we arrived on the field about noon and immediately took our position on the right and in a ravine; we remained in this position nearly one hour when we were ordered forward; we passed through an open field into a tract of timber and through this clear to the outer edge; we halted here and remained till the battle commenced in earnest.

 

From this position we could see the rebel sharpshooters also could see every time they fired their cannon The men were so exhausted / that while lying here although shells were continually bursting about us many went to sleep myself among them I slept as sweetly as if at home; about 4 PM we were ordered forward; we were obliged to pass a large open field across which was a hill; just beyond this hill were some woods where the rebels were posted as soon as we left the woods we were met by a terrific artillery fire also a very destructive fire from some rifle pits on the brow of the hill; after reaching the hill we were exposed to a cross fire from both flanks as well as in front; they poured grape and canister into us terribly. I was wounded soon after reaching the hill but remained fighting some time after; but finding my leg / growing stiff and useless I left and made the best of my way some two miles to the rear where our Dr was; I had been here but a few minutes before the shell began to burst around us when the Drs. one and all ran away leaving the wounded to look out for themselves with assistance I hobbled about a mile further when I succeeded in getting into an ambulance and was carried to Centreville. Remained here till monday noon without care or food left at noon for Fairfax Station: on arriving at this point a Miss Barton of Worcester gave me some wine this helped me greatly it being the only nourishment I had / had for three days; went aboard cars at F. and arrived here same night; since my arrival here have had good care; my wound is doing well although I am obliged yet to keep upon my back

 

            It may as well come out first as last, my soldiering is at an end; the Dr says that it will be a year before I could go into the field again and perhaps never therefore he says that I shall have to be discharged I should really like one more chance at the Rebs. Am greatly obliged for the photograph of Bertie he looks the same as ever tell B. that very likely I have used some of his lint

 

            Hope Charley is no worse should like very much to / hear from him.

                                                                                   

Affc Yours

Cha^s F Lee

 

P.S. in reference to the Atlantic; it would be very acceptable. direct, C F Lee Ward K Armory Sq Hospt, Ward K Washington. Shall write Mother in a day or two

 

[note]

 

I see by the date of this, that it was written 18 days after Charly was wounded—while he was laying on his back, in the Hospital—

           

Nov 17^th          [very light pencil, 1875]

            1875

                        1862—

 

[verso]

 

The first letter

written by Charly

after he was wounded

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