Letter from Elisha Meservey – 20th Maine
to Mrs. George H. Philbrook
Letter edited for clarity. - R.W.P.
Army of the Potomac
Ellis Ford VA June 4/63
Dear friend Ellie
I read by the way of Elenora the sad news of the loss of your husband in the late battle of Fredericksburg. I know that words of consolation all thoug(h) prompted by the kindest feelings grate harshly uppon the nerves of the poor ____ing heart. I can only say that that I pitty you and sympathise with you in your in your great sorrow but a soldier loves to pay tribute to the courage and bravery of a departed fellow soldier.
They tell me that your husband belong
to the 6th ME Regt it was the 6th that led the charge in
taking the strongest fort(ifications) on Fredericksburg heights.
I was a distant eyewitness of that glorious charge.
There was no wavering no giving back but up up they pressed and deploying
on either side they closed aground the fort(ifications) and pouring in over it
carried it with wild huzzaas and when at the close of the day the fortunes of
the day had changed and the enemy aware making huge efforts to crush and annihilate
the little army of Sedgwick the valor of the 6th ME was again put to
the test and not found wanting they covered the retreat and there stubborn
bravery held the enemy in check and gave our forces a chance to cross the river
and thus saved the army. If any should should ask me if your husband was a brave
man I should tell them that he belonged to the 6th ME Regt. and I
know that his courage would never be doubted any one that knows the history of
that regiment. Poor
Nellie wants to write but she says she does not know what to write.
She says she can weep for you for she does not know how soon your fate
may be hers. Ellie this is a cruel cruel
war but we must fight if we would prove ourselves worthy of having a
country. We must crush the red handed traitors that would trample our
glorious old flag. For my part I have made up my mind to give up every
thing, even life itself, rather than give up the cause and while you weep for
the loss of your husband it should be a proud satisfaction for you to feel that
he died like a brave man nobly battling for his country.
There is a heavy battle going up the river and the distant booming of cannon has been heard since early this morning (and) it is now afternoon. I expect we sh(all) soon go into it. Give my love to all those that enquire about me. I remain,
Very respectful
Your friend E Meservey
Letter Courtesy of the John Brogan Collection - Elmhurst, IL