1865 March 18 White House Landing York River

My own Dearest Mother

After so long a

silence on my part, and so

much dreaded suspense on yours,

I doubt not that a word from

your absent boy will be unwillingly

received. We have been on

a great raid, the whole

army of the Shenandoah have

been in the saddle twenty

days, we left Winchester Feb. 27^th

and arrived here about an hour

ago; we have had a fine spell

of weather, and have enjoyed

ourselves hugely, but of course

in so long a period a few or

unpleasant things would come up.

We have been in two fights only

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during all this time, one this

side of Staunton, where we met

Early’s command, after about an hour

fighting, we captured all of their

artillery, (six pieces) and fifteen

hundred prisoners. Early, himself

barely escaped on a train of cars.

Herbert Lord, alone, took twenty

two rebs, bully for him.

We have done the Jonnies

an im^’m’ense site of injury. we

have burned every bridge, and

torn up every rail-road we have

come across, we have lived off

the country as we went

through. And the tallest kind

of foraging we have had. two

days ago we were within fifteen

miles of Richmond, there we had

quite a fight, Ashland Station.

we fought about half a day and

lost only three men in the regt.

and we were in the thickest of it.

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My health has been first rate

all along. one night when it

rained, I caught quite a cold

but have nearly got over it.

My horse has held out the very

best kind, while a great number

of boys have had several horses

play out, mine has carried me

safely through.

this has been the greatest

raid that has ever been made.

it will be an event of history

and if I live, in after years

I will be proud to say that

I was on “Sheridan’s raid.”

I have got to write a line

to James, and draw hay and

oats for the co. immediately,

so I shall be obliged to close

Your affect. son

Hervey

[Written in side margin on page 2:]

I was quite disappointed about my furlough, but when I come home

next September, it will be for more than fifteens day. H. E. E.

Sheridan's force of some ten thousand left Winchester, Va., heading south with orders from Grant to destroy the Va. Central Railroad and James River Canal.

1865 February 26th Camp Russell

My dearest Mother

I should have
written you before, had it
not been that I expected
to see you very soon face to
face, and had thus been waiting
to give you a little surprise;
but for fear that you should
be looking for me every day,
and feel a little worried on
my account, I thought I
would drop a few lines,
thinking that perhaps they
may reach you a little
sooner than I.

My furlough went in,
several days ago, and should
have returned before this, but

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for some reason, they have been
delayed; we think, that they
will get through by Tuesday, next
if so, I will be with you on
Friday next, providence permitting,
but if we move up the Valley,
and there are many indications
of doing so, then good-bye to
any furlough.

We think here, that it
depends entirely on the movements
of Lee. if he evacuates Richmond
and retreats West, we shall
certainly go up the Valley and
intercept him at Lynchburg,
and Sherman will do the
same from the South, while
Grant will be upon his heels,
and thus we will have Mr.
Lee, bagged: but if he remains
where he is, there will be
considerable chance of my
coming home: I have stated

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the matter to you, fair and true,
so you can see just how I
am situated. Some of the
boys thought I had better tell
you that there was'ent no
hopes of my getting home before
Fall, but I preferred to let you
know all about it; it all depends
on whether we move or not:
if we do, why! in a Soldiers phrase,
"dished" if not "all bunck."

My health is good, never better.
Although it is getting quite muddy
here, still we take into consideration
that it is the sacred soil of Va.
and not our own free soil that
we are treading on, and
plastering our shanties and boots
with. In hopes of being able
soon to see you,

I remain in haste

Your affect. son

Hervey