Benjamin F Titsworth 11th
New Jersey -Titsworth reports on Wounded and Grant Sheridan and Sherman’s
activities in the final weeks for the war. ALS, 4PP, 8vo. Ink.
April 1st 1865
Wagon Park in the field
Quartermaster Department
11th New Jersey Volunteers
Friend Amanda,
It gives me pleasure to address you
thus, not only because we believe each other to be corresponding under pure
motives, which I hope I’ll never give you cause to doubt the same of me, but I
believe I have found a true soldiers, friend-a patriotic lady. I received yours
of the 11th and would’ve answered it ere this had not a move of the army
prevented it.
We are still on the move. Broke camp last
Wednesday morning, and the troops marched to the left, where they have been
since advancing gradually. The 5th Corps and Shermans cavalry force are on
the left of us. There has been fighting every day. The wagon train lies near
Humphreys station - the farthest station on General Grant’s railroad. My
new position requires me to accompany the train. The wounded are brought to
this station after having their wounds dressed at the field hospital, put
aboard the cars and sent to the general hospital at City Point. I have been
over to the station frequently when wounded came in, and I saw some very severe
cases.
All is reported progressing fine on our
side. General Grant is here supervising the move. It was reported two days
ago that general Sheridan had cut the southside railroad and destroyed 10 miles
of it, then moved off in the direction of Burksville- the junction of the
Danville and Lynchburg roads. That report was contradicted this morning. I
won’t vouch for the truth of either. I’m not afraid but Grant will carry things
through all right. I have unbounded confidence in that General.
Sherman no doubt is resting his army now
at or near Goldsboro and well he might. Twenty thousand of his men were unshod
when they reached that place. After they are reclothed and recruited, I expect
we will hear more good news from "Sherman and his Veterans.” We can afford to
let them rest a while. We have had two days of very heavy rain
which left the roads almost impossible. Yesterday some supplies were sent to
the front and almost every team mired. They returned this morning. Today is a
regular March day - very windy and it’s throwing the rain on my paper. You must
excuse me if my paper doesn’t look as neat as it might. We haven’t any log
houses now. However, we get along first rate with tents, as it is not very cold
weather. I guess I have built my last log house and I hope the army has a
general thing, but I must give way for the cook to set the dinner table.
Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain as
ever, your true friend, B. Frank Titsworth, Quartermaster Sergeant, 11th New
Jersey volunteers