1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery - Ricketts' Battery

Item LTR-6763

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages written in period ink.


Warrenton Junction, VA

April 3rd 1862

Dear Father,

After a thirteen-day march, I am able to write you a short note. Simply I let you know that I am still uninjured by shot shell or disease but very tired of and very much disgusted with marching. Although I knew you would be very anxious to hear from me after the fight at Winchester. It has been impossible for one to write a line sooner and I have taken the very first opportunity to do so. I was not in the fight at Winchester. General Abercrombie’s Brigade to which our battery is again attached, marched from there on the 28th of March. Donnelly’s and Gordon’s Brigades following the next day. We had proceeded to Aldie, thirty-four miles from Winchester, when we heard they were fighting there. I received orders to return as soon as possible. And when we had arrived within ten miles of Winchester, we were ordered to countermarch again and go on to Centerville. If we had remained at Winchester, the fight would not have occurred. General Jackson, from the Alleghany Mountains saw our column crossing the Blue Ridge and supposed that but a small force was left in Winchester. The consequence was he was nicely deceived and whipped. We came on to Centerville and from there to this place. Which is about 20 miles south of Manassas Junction. We crossed the battlefield of Bulls Run and came thorough by Manassas Junction from Centerville. To this place, it nothing but dissolution and ruin. It must be seen to be appreciated. The rebels have done an increasing amount of work between Centerville and Manassas. They have leveled miles of forest and thrown up miles of earthen works and fortifications. They evidently intended to hold it. It was our flank movement on Winchester that compelled them to evacuate it without firing a shot. All honor to General McClelland whose splendid strategy made them leave their strongest stronghold without losing any of his “Grand Army”. And yet we have friends in the North who would rather have seen a great battle at Manassas with a lost of 40 or 50 thousand men. Which we certainly would have loss had we attempted to take it by fighting. The following is private and confidential. You no doubt, think that nearly the whole of the Army of the Potomac is in this vicinity. But the only troops between the Rappahannock and Washington is about 8,000. And they are all. At this point the remainder of the army have all gone down the Potomac with General McClellan at their head. Their destination is probably up the James River to Richmond. Anyhow, you may look for something rather startling to the northern public in a few days.

Our position at present is rather ticklish on picket extend to the northern banks of the Rappahannock and the enemy to the southern banks. But as long as we have a tangible enemy, we can get along best they have on this side of the Rappahannock from 2 to 3 thousand cavalry who are dressed in citizen’s clothes and they are all around us in front, in rear and on both flanks. And if officer or private ventures outside of our lines, he is soon to be captured. I received a letter from you just as I was leaving Winchester. You have no idea with what pleasure I received news. As letters from that point are very few and far between.

Give my love to Mother and Frank and also to any friends I may happen to have in Orangeville.

Your Son,

R. B. Ricketts

To E. G. Ricketts, Esquire