9th Georgia Infantry - Irvin Artillery - Wounded at Crampton's Gap - South Mountain - NEW

Item CON-11980

Description

Confederate soldier's letter, 4 pages written in period ink.


Headquarters, Irvin Artillery
Near Orange Courthouse, Virginia
 
April 22^nd 1864
 
Dear Colonel,
 
I will pin you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive, Rebel, and that you are not forgotten. I am sorry I did not get a chance while at home to have a long sociable chat with you. Not that I did not try for, I called at your hall twice.
 
But the truth is, the Colonel is such a businessman, not to mention his lady propensities, that he is somewhat, or at least I found him so, like the Irishman's flea. However, it is all right, especially if he will take care of the fair damsels in our beloved old section, which the cruel fangs of war have so long separated so many of us from. I regretted very much to have to leave them all so soon, both at home and also in South Carolina, where I had a good time generally. But those regrets and sad partings from them and other kind friends were somewhat alleviated by thoughts of returning to duty in the field, which, if left undone, life with all of its former attractions would become a burden to me and them.
 
Three long years have passed by, and yet grim war is still upon us. And in that time, we have had bright and, as often, gloomy prospects. But I have never been without the strongest hopes of our final success.
 
If I am fortunate to be one of the survivors, then life, I think, will then appear to have only begun afresh. It is a pleasing thought to have the pleasure of again setting under our own vine and fig tree. I think our prospects were never so bright as at Pheasant, and we hope that the end is near for the fulfilling of these hopes.
 
We are concentrating a very large army here, and it is believed by many that Grant is the last trump of Old Abe. If we hold the best hand, it is thought the game is out.
 
The weather is now getting favorable for the campaign to open, and the troops seem eager for the work before them. Two of Longstreet's divisions are here, and with other reinforcements, we expect to march to victory. I have no doubt it will be the greatest battle of the war if both of the opposing armies are concentrated. A defeat of the enemy's plan now would inevitably bring great commotion in the councils, if nothing else. And a few more hard blows would, I think, suffice.
 
Now is the time for us to present a bold, unbroken front in everything that pertains to our success. Unfortunately, I am afraid some of the demagogues of our own state will, by their untimely and uncalled-for opposition to the general government, prolong the end. I enclose you some resolutions of our battalion, which, without further writing, express my views, and I believe them to be the almost unanimous sentiment of the Georgia troops.
 
We are not faring altogether like queens and kings and princes, but on one-fourth of a pound of bacon, a plenty of cornmeal with genuine coffee enough, also rice and a sprinkling of sugar and molasses, with an occasional reminder of some other articles that grow in the Confederacy. We are doing finely and are healthy, hearty, robust, and we fancy good-looking. If we could only get on a boiled shirt and the other paraphernalia. If you need an interpreter, call up Captain Murphy.
 
I go out hunting occasionally and get up something in the shape of a bird pie, which is hard to beat. Rabbits are also in great demand, and although it is now springtime, we have no contentious scruples about eating them. 
 
Drilling is now one of our daily vocations, and target shooting also with the infantry. The artillery also has been practicing some in the rear, but we, being in the front, have not been granted that privilege. 
 
Colonel, if you see Gabe before he comes out, please tell him to bring my ring you had the kindness to take to Augusta to be mended, if it is still there. But if you have paid for it and it is at home, you need not say anything about it, except to ask Mr. Woodall for pay for repairing it, if he has not done so.
 
I believe there is nothing else that would interest you. I will be glad if you would fulfill your long promise to write, if the ladies don't require too much of your attention. Nothing else will excuse you, even if that be admissible.
 
Remember me to all friends. My special regards to the fair sex. 
Yours as ever, etc.,
 
F. T. Griffin
 
Address: Irvin Artillery, Cutt’s Battalion, Army of Northern Virginia
 
To Colonel J.B. Smith, Columbia Mine, Georgia