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D.H. Gettys to "Dear Brother", December 27, 1861

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Item
  • In a letter dated December 27, 1861, D.H. Gettys writes to his brother describing vivid details following the battle of Dranesville, Va. He describes his feelings toward the enemy and corrects details that he believes were misrepresented in the press.
  • D.H. Gettys to “Dear Brother,” December 27, 1861 Dec 27th 1861 Dear Brother I recd your letter and present by Gettys. You could not have sent me any thing of the same value that would be worth more to me than the boots my feet were scarcely ever dry before I got them Although I had never written any thing on the subject yet I thought you would send them and so express ed to some of the boys nearly a month before they came. I could not bye such a pair here for less than twenty five or thirty Dollars. Hides are plenty here but there are no tanneries or at least I have not heard of any. I can not express my gratitude and will leave it for you to imagine. We are in a very muddy country and good boots cant be got by the soldiers. We expect to go to work in a few days building cabbins [sic] for winter quarters. I don’t know exactly how large we will build them but if we make these large enough for seven we will take Gettys into our mess. There has been some wrong im- pressions at home about our little fight, first the No of Yankees killed was greatly exaggerated. One hundred less than the No published would cover all that I saw, and as Zeb Vance says ‘I was thar” Though I have no doubt but we killed a good many whom we did not find. I heard of two being found in the cedars a few days afterwards. In the second place that tale about my horse being killed or falling and hurting me was all a lie. I was riding the Wm Angel Roane and he ran through in fine style. No doubt but you have heard this of the battle at Dranesville. I went out there next day. We expected to get another fight but were disappointed The Cowards were satisfied with a meagre victory over one tenth of their no and after rifling the pockets of the kil___ [killed ?; blurred and torn] ___tired [retired ?] I never saw and hope I never again may see such a sight as I saw there. Our noble Southerners who dared stand up for their rights against an over whelming odds were lying in heaps covered with their own and fellow’s frozen gore. One poor fellows head was taken off just at the end of the nose by a cannon ball, Another just at the shoulder several others shot in the head with musket balls &c &c. To be in a battle is of course exciting & victory stimulates but I never wanted to fight half as bad as I did that day. I never wanted to see a buck [?] where I was at a stand [?] so bad as I there wanted to see the yankees. My blood boils to revenge those poor fellows who were so ______ __ated [?] the day before. I think if I ever get another change at the hireling [?] cowards what I saw there will give double strength to my arms. Tomorrow we go on picket and stay two nights. Thereafter we will stay out nights at a time. [blurred]__ed stay in eight which I think [blurred] __ beter than only staying out only [blurred] ___ in ____ Now that I have got my boots over coat and flannels I don’t mind picketing like I used to. Tell Pa Sister and Rufus that I will write them all as soon as I can. In the mean time give them my love. I hope that Lou is in Macon by this time, and if so any kindness shown her will be highly appreciated by me. Henderson wants to write a little and I will give way. Please write soon to Your Affectionate Brother T.S. Siler P.S. Direct your letters to Manassas care of Capt Siler 1st Reg NC Car. T.S.S. Mr D W Dear Sir after 20 long days on the road I got in to camp I went out on picket one day we had a fine day of rain and Sleet tomorrow we have to go out again to stay two days I am getting along pretty well Better than I expected We are coughing big coughs to Night I cant write to Night please excuse these Remarks I will write you when I can Yours D H Gettys
Object
  • In a letter dated December 27, 1861, D.H. Gettys writes to his brother describing vivid details following the battle of Dranesville, Va. He describes his feelings toward the enemy and corrects details that he believes were misrepresented in the press.
  • D.H. Gettys to “Dear Brother,” December 27, 1861 Dec 27th 1861 Dear Brother I recd your letter and present by Gettys. You could not have sent me any thing of the same value that would be worth more to me than the boots my feet were scarcely ever dry before I got them Although I had never written any thing on the subject yet I thought you would send them and so express ed to some of the boys nearly a month before they came. I could not bye such a pair here for less than twenty five or thirty Dollars. Hides are plenty here but there are no tanneries or at least I have not heard of any. I can not express my gratitude and will leave it for you to imagine. We are in a very muddy country and good boots cant be got by the soldiers. We expect to go to work in a few days building cabbins [sic] for winter quarters. I don’t know exactly how large we will build them but if we make these large enough for seven we will take Gettys into our mess. There has been some wrong im- pressions at home about our little fight, first the No of Yankees killed was greatly exaggerated. One hundred less than the No published would cover all that I saw, and as Zeb Vance says ‘I was thar” Though I have no doubt but we killed a good many whom we did not find. I heard of two being found in the cedars a few days afterwards. In the second place that tale about my horse being killed or falling and hurting me was all a lie. I was riding the Wm Angel Roane and he ran through in fine style. No doubt but you have heard this of the battle at Dranesville. I went out there next day. We expected to get another fight but were disappointed The Cowards were satisfied with a meagre victory over one tenth of their no and after rifling the pockets of the kil___ [killed ?; blurred and torn] ___tired [retired ?] I never saw and hope I never again may see such a sight as I saw there. Our noble Southerners who dared stand up for their rights against an over whelming odds were lying in heaps covered with their own and fellow’s frozen gore. One poor fellows head was taken off just at the end of the nose by a cannon ball, Another just at the shoulder several others shot in the head with musket balls &c &c. To be in a battle is of course exciting & victory stimulates but I never wanted to fight half as bad as I did that day. I never wanted to see a buck [?] where I was at a stand [?] so bad as I there wanted to see the yankees. My blood boils to revenge those poor fellows who were so ______ __ated [?] the day before. I think if I ever get another change at the hireling [?] cowards what I saw there will give double strength to my arms. Tomorrow we go on picket and stay two nights. Thereafter we will stay out nights at a time. [blurred]__ed stay in eight which I think [blurred] __ beter than only staying out only [blurred] ___ in ____ Now that I have got my boots over coat and flannels I don’t mind picketing like I used to. Tell Pa Sister and Rufus that I will write them all as soon as I can. In the mean time give them my love. I hope that Lou is in Macon by this time, and if so any kindness shown her will be highly appreciated by me. Henderson wants to write a little and I will give way. Please write soon to Your Affectionate Brother T.S. Siler P.S. Direct your letters to Manassas care of Capt Siler 1st Reg NC Car. T.S.S. Mr D W Dear Sir after 20 long days on the road I got in to camp I went out on picket one day we had a fine day of rain and Sleet tomorrow we have to go out again to stay two days I am getting along pretty well Better than I expected We are coughing big coughs to Night I cant write to Night please excuse these Remarks I will write you when I can Yours D H Gettys