About this Letter
The letter is from Marvin and Levi Green to their parents, written from the camp at Fredrickburg Heights. They are both well and the 32nd Corps has had a hard time in battle. They heard that Sterns was wounded, but they do not know the extent of the injury. They are expecting to take Richmond soon, with several generals leading the charge, and General Lee is reported to have said that this is his last battle. The 93rd went into battle with 800 men and came out with 300. The letter ends with the writers saying goodbye and asking their parents to write back soon.
Letter Transcript
FROM MARVIN & LEVI GREEN TO DEAR PARRENTS – MAY 16, 1864
Camp on Fredrickburg Heights Dear parrents I take this opportunity drop a few lines to you to let you no we get a long. Levi and myself is well we. have ben n fiting for the Last 9 days the 32end corps has had a hard time of it. that is the Corps that Sterns is in and I herd by one of the 93rd Boys that Sterns was wonded but I don’t know how Bad. But I have not heard anything from Nelson nor Uncle John. But I am in hopes of hering from them in a few days. Well ma we are Bound to have Ritchmond this time with out fail the report is now that Buttler has got Ritchmond now But it is not confurmed yet. General Burnmayed (Burnside) is on one side and General Buttler am on other and General Mead on our other and General Grant on the other so you see that we have got them this time and they cant help. the report is now that General Lee told his men that this was the last battle that he would fight and if he lost this battle he would have to give up the Busness. Well ma this is all that I can rite this time for we have all that we can tend too. the 93 went in to Battle with 800 men and come out with 300 This is what I herd don’t take it for the thruth
Good By. this from Marvin and Levi Green rite soon. Horse Battery K 1st U.S. Artillery
Researchers Note: The Horse Artillery Brigade of the Army of the Potomac was a unit of horse artillery during the American Civil War, made up of company-strength batteries from the Regular Army’s five artillery regiments. The members of the unit traveled on their own horses instead of the traditional practice, which allowed for faster and more efficient travel. The brigade was commanded by former artillery captain and Brig. Gen. William Farquhar Barry, Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac, and developed a reputation for efficiency, accuracy, and command presence in the field. The brigade was equipped with 3-inch Ordnance rifles and served with distinction in the Eastern Theater under the command of various officers, all of whom were from the 2nd Regiment of Artillery. (SOURCE)
Researcher’s Note: John Sterns Green was wounded while he was with the 93rd New York Infantry Regiment, and he fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, which was fought from May 5 to May 7, 1864,
Below is taken from the official records of the war.
HEAD-QUARTERS, 2d Div., 2d Army Corps,
May 9, 1864—10 A. M.
COLONEL—Will you express to the officers and men of your gallant regiment my full appreciation of their distinguished services in the recent engagements?
D. B. Birney, Maj. Genl.
To Col. Crocker, 93 N. Y. S. Vols.
Names of the Killed and Wounded in the 93d New York Volunteer Infantry.
Washington, May 12th, 1864.
The following is a list of the casualties in the 93d Regiment of New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry, complete of the officers, partial of the rest, but all accurate. This splendid regiment, formerly the Guard to t h e General Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, is in Hayes’ (2d) brigade of the Third division (Birney’s) of the Second corps and fought most gallantly and bravely in the late battles, losing three-quarters of their number. On the death of General Hayes, Colonel Crocker took command of the brigade and Major McConihe of the regiment. (SOURCE)
Here is a Snippet from the report
Private John S. Green, right hand.