5th Connecticut Infantry - Shooting of Deserters

Item LTR-8131

Description

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


Camp near Leesburg, VA

June 24th 1863

Dear Sister,

Your welcome letter of the 10th inst. was gladly received the 22nd, together with one from Mother and one from Louise (that being the first mail we had received since leaving Stafford Court House). I was very glad to hear from you but was very sorry to hear that Ike had met with such a sad accident. It does seem as though Ike had been very unfortunate and I feel very sorry for him and hope this will find him getting well fast.

Tell him he has the sympathy of all the boys who have heard of it and they think Ike is bound to get killed by inches. They all send best wishes to Ike and hope he will soon get around again. I suppose you have been somewhat anxious to hear from me for a number of days haven’t you.

Well Marg, I am well as usual. We left Stafford Court House a week ago last Saturday and arrived at this place last Thursday night where we have been since that time. But are under orders to move at a minute’s notice.

When I say we I mean this Corps (12th). We are the only Corps that is at this place where the main body of our army is. I don’t know, but I suppose they are down towards Manassas somewhere. After leaving Stafford Court House, we came via Dumfries to Fairfax Court House in one day, about 28 miles. And it was an awful hot day too. We lay at Fairfax Court House one day and then came on here. This is the most deserted looking place I ever saw. The stores and houses are all shut up and you can see nothing but a few soldiers when you go into town. The citizens here are all strong secesh (what there is left of them). And are nearly frightened to death expecting that a battle is coming off here soon. There are some very nice buildings here and I should judge it was a place of 6,000 or 8,000 enlistants before the war. We are not exactly in town but General Williams has taken up his quarters in a large brick house just outside and you see the Provost Guard have to stop nearby. I am doing Provost duty. Still, we have got at present about 18 prisoners (our men) deserters, etc,. Last Friday we took three men that had been court martialed and sentenced to be shot for desertion and shot them. Their sentences were read to them 48 hours before they were executed. (We were at Drainsville when their sentences were read to them). The next day, Thursday, while on the march from Drainsville to this place, one of them tried to get away and was shot though the side (not fatally) by Crissey, the guard that was over him. (Ike will remember Crissey, he belongs to this Company). The next day, they were all three brought out and shot dead in the presence of the whole Corps. Two of them belonged to the 46th Pennsylvania and the other belonged to the 13th New Jersey. I don’t think that many who witnessed that execution will want to desert right away. The probability is we shall have a battle here before long. But I can’t tell. We are all prepared for it. Our wagon trains are down near the river. We have got pontoon bridges across the river at Edwards Ferry.

Hoping this will find you all. In good health and Ike improving fast. I will close by sending much love to all inquiring friends.

Goodbye.

Your Affectionate Brother,

Henry F. Prindle

Please write soon for I am anxious to hear from Ike again.

Henry