George H. Patch to Mary Patch, 9 May 186X
May 9th 5½ PM.
 
Dear Mother.
                        I thought when I wrote today that I would not seal it until the mail came and I am glad I didnt for my letter came from you dated the 6th. I was very glad to hear you were well and also all my friends. I have received that money the whole $10.00. You must tell Sarah that she must not worry about not getting letters for the 11th Corps have been marching for 8 days and probably George has had no chance to write for I am sure if he had he would have wrote before.
 
Today a bridge was laid across to Fredericksburg to convey
[line cut off] /
side and to exchange some prisoners I am real sorry that George is in that Corps for we have reliable reports that the 11th Corps broke and run, throwed away their guns and equipments, Officers and men alike. And the 1st 11th and 16th Mass held the enemy in check where that Corps ran. I guess that Gen Howard finds different men in that Corps than he had in the 2d division. He used to be our division General, but perhaps the 33d didnt run. if they did it is worse than a dozen battles for if you run the first time you cant overcome the fear the next. But I must close for this time. So good bye
                                                                       
From your Affect Son G.H.P.

 

10165
DATABASE CONTENT
(10165)DL1568.031132Letters186X-05-09

Tags: Cowardice, Fear, Fighting, Marching, Money, Prisoner Exchanges, Prisoners of War

People - Records: 2

  • (3607) [writer] ~ Patch, George Henry
  • (3609) [recipient] ~ Patch, Mary ~ Brown, Mary

Places - Records: 1

  • (97) [origination] ~ Falmouth, Stafford County, Virginia

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SOURCES

George H. Patch to Mary Patch, 9 May 186X, DL1568.031, Nau Collection