American Historical Ephemera & Photography

2 pages, on bifolium, 5 1/2 x 9 in., creased at folds, with toning, staining, and wear to edges and corners. 

In this letter addressed to his mother, Smith begins without pomp or circumstance, getting right to the narrative of battle: "We have been fighting for Eight days and have whipped the Rebels every day. Our Regiment charged on the Rebel Breastworks yesterday morning at half past four A.M. and took a Regiment of Rebels [sic] prisoners. The commanding officer gave his sword to me and Lt. Draper took their colors. Tom order a Rebel Colonel to surrender and he did so in quick time giving his revolver to Tom, and saying he was his prisoner. Tom order him to the rear. We have lost 148 men killed, wounded, & missing in this fight. All three of us are well and not harmed. I received a ball in my boot but it did not enter my flesh. This is Rebel paper that this is written upon."

After his non sequitor about the paper being Confederate-made, Smith continues, giving further details about the results of yesterday's assault: "The Rebels retreated last night leaving all their dead and wounded in our hands. In our charge yesterday the whole corps was engaged - we took seven thousand (7000) Prisoners and twentysix (26) pieces of Artillery. I have not time to write any more for we have to follow up the Rebels." 

After signing his letter, Smith adds a quick postscript: "Col. Smyth was wounded yesterday on the charge in the thigh not seriously." 

William F. Smith enlisted as a captain on an unknown date, and served with the 1st Delaware Infantry Regiment, being promoted to major within the same regiment on an unknown date. Months after he wrote the letter featured here, he received a wound in the right leg, on 27 October 1864, in Petersburg, VA, resulting in amputation.