folder 47: October–December 1862

Brick House October 4th 1862

My dear Mother

I can't tell you how disappointed I was yesterday-evening when Mr Crow came in & though he saw & spoke to me said nothing about a letter for me. I had been lying on my bed anxiously counting the moments until his return hopeing that I would get a letter from you. I tell you, though that my disappointment was suddenly turned in to joy when on going into the supper table, Mr C. handed me the very identical letter I was looking for.

I hardly know what to talk about, except No. 1, & as the news about him is not very good I am afraid this will be a very unsatisfactory letter. However, "time & tide wait for no man" so I will have to do the best I can with the material I have on hand.

I am sorry to say that I have the jaundice. It, I suppose has entirely taken my appitite away, so you see the sweetness of your advice (about my eating too much) was wasted on the desert air. The worst of all is, I'm continusly sick at stomach--have a disposition

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not time to correct this you must excuse all imperfections. Please My dear Mother don't make yourself uneasy about me. I will always let you know if any thing goes wrong with me. Tell Father that I would be very glad to hear from him. Write soon Your affectionate son

Lewis

to make my-self more comfortable, but find this a pretty hard job though I may be as sick as dog. I expect to go to Petersburg to-morrow to see Dr Hines. He said, two or three days ago when I went in to report to him, that he thought I had the jaundice comeing on, & told me to come in as soon as I saw that I was getting more yellow & he would give me some medicine for it. I delivered your message to him. He sends his love in return & says that he will do anything in the world he can for me. Isn't he clever? Sister H. sends her very best love--says she had the hardest chill today that she has had in a long time. I received a letter from Bro Kemp yesterday--was very glad to have know June was safe after the fight on Sunday. This, of course, does not relieve all of my anxiety, but it raises my spirits a great deal. I'm glad also to know that Bro W. had received the appointment he so long desired. You are entirely mistaken in thinking that it is a dangerous place. Men are always detailed to carry the wounded off the field. At least I know this to be a fact. as far as our Regiment. is concerned My dear Mother. I would write more but there is a man waiting to carry this to town. I have been writing as fast as I can on the last page & as I have

Chapel Hill Oct. 15th. 1862

My Dear Richard,

After having our hopes for the safety of Junius raised by letters from Kemp and Lew yesterday, they were crushed this morning by a letter from Middle Town Md, of which the following is a copy

Dear Sir I write at the request of your son to tell you that he is now in the hospital at this place. He was wounded in the Sunday's fight and had his leg amputated, but owing to the delicate state of his health at the time, he has become very weak, and I fear that he will never recover. It is a very painful duty to communicate such intelligence but some one must perform it.

Your son has met with kind sympathizing friends and he has had every attention we could afford him. Whilst he is permitted to be with us we will do all in our power for him. He has kind nurses and a minister

to direct his thoughts to that better world to which I am afraid he is fast hastening-- Rest assured, Dear Sir, that every respect and attention shall be shown him--

With the deepest sympathy for the sorrow which I know this letter will cause you

I am respectfully yours

M. C. Baer

Should you wish any fur Should you wish any further information concerning your son direct to Dr. C. J. Baer Middletown Frederick Co Md"

I send this this a letter in reply to the above, which you will please send on by the way you may think, will soonest carry it to its destination-- Perhaps Gov. Vance can suggest the most eligible route--

I need not say to you how deep a grief this news has caused us. May God have mercy upon us, for it is to Him alone that we can now look for consolation. Our best love to you and yours

Affectionately your's

Will: H. Battle

You will not forget that the letter to Dr Baer must not be sealed up

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I enclose a stamp & a three cent piece to pay the Confederate & U.S. postage

Middletown, Frederick County, Maryland. October 16th 1862.

Hon William H Battle

Sr,

Hearing that I will have an opertunity in a few days of forwarding a letter South by the hands of a paroled prisoner, and thereby fulfil my promise. It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the death of your son Junus C. Battle Co D. 12th Reg't C vol C.A. a wounded prisoner at the hospital in the place, at 3 o'clock Thursday morning October 2nd/62, from a wound received at the battle of South Mountain or Middletown Sunday September 14th/62. distant five miles from town. He was brought in early in the evening, the left ancle shivered by a minie ball. It was amputated below the knee, from the effects of which he appeared from some time, to be fast recovering, which I believe was the earnest desire of all who approached