Letters from Edwin I. Kursheedt to Miss Sarah Levy

Bivouac 2 miles from Williamsburg Sunday April 27, 1862 Miss Sallie, I had the pleasure of addressing a few lines to you last week from the Bivouac near Lebanon Church . On Friday we rec'd marching orders for Williamsburg, 121 miles distant, which we had the pleasure of doing in a drenching rain-- "for the rain it raineth every day", no doubt caused by the heavy & constant cannonading. The enemy has been shelling Yorktown & vicinity for the past two days, but have accomplished nothing. We are in receipt of the telegraphic news "Fall of New Orleans &c" but do not credit it. I should not be astonished if we were ordered back to Richmond & thence to Fredericksburg as it is believed Massa Geo. B. McClellan is trying to force a passage to Richmond via that point. We could just as well have remained in or near Richmond as to be here for there is plenty of artillery here, in fact more than we can use. Our 2nd Company has been detailed temporarily with Genl Jones Division-- they expect to go into the entrenchments--not very pleasant during this moist weather. Our position is very strong--our left rests on Yorktown--the centre at Lee's Mills, & right on Mulberry Island: there is one line of fortifications extending from right to left supported by Warwick river which has been "dam(n)ed" up at 3 points to prevent the enemy from fording--they (the Yanks) tried to cross at dawn not a couple of nights ago, but did not succeed, as we cut it for them, so as to draw them on. No it is likely that we shall remain here for some time I will be very happy to hear from you to the care of Col. Walton, Washington Artillery, Williamsburg . We are luxuriating in quantities of shad & fresh beef, vegetables, bakers bread &c. So we feast one day and starve the next. I intend going into town to see "one of the chosen" whose name was given to me by Eugene Levy, whom I was very pleased to meet here, so au revoir. My kindest regards to your Parents, sisters & brothers & trusting that ere long I may have the pleasure of seeing you & those dear to you. I remain, yours very truly, Edwin I. Kursheedt   "Bivouac" 1 Mile from Lebanon Church Miss Sallie, As you may perceive from the above caption we are not afar off from our Yankee friends, they being only 3 miles distant & we enjoying the constant music of their heavy guns. On my trip down that m-e-a-n-d-e-r-i-n-g river I had a very good opportunity of seeing some of the scenery & was pleased to behold the first settlement made by a Mr. Smith about 240 years ago--Smith showed his good taste in selecting the spot he did for even to this day it is quite a charming place. From this town towards the mouth of the river there have been erected many strong batteries--all mounted with guns of heavy calibre. I was not very comfortably situated on board of the transport that brought us from Richmond--it being on a schooner--250 of us occupying a stateroom about 60 feet long by 15 feet wide. We "laid to" during the night & break of day proceeded on our journey--the river was somewhat ruffled by a strong wind, causing our craft to roll & pitch--effect sea-sickness experienced by some of our men, and as it was raining too hard we could not remain on deck so that we felt like a lot of chickens cooped up, but were willing to "die game." At 12 o'clock Monday we landed at "King's Mills" & bivouacked there that night--raining incessantly, anything but an April shower, or at least one got up on a big scale. Through your kindness I was enabled to live very high up to yesterday, but had to come down to rations this morning viz. Bacon & crackers--I enjoyed the latter, but have not made up my mind to partake of the former. We started from Kings Mills yesterday & reached here in the evening and are now encamped in a group of trees beautifully located. I cannot say as yet where to address me as our movements are so very uncertain--we are at present but 4 miles from Yorktown but a long distance from your brothers. Since I have been here I have met with many of my New Orleans friends who are in the army, making me feel almost at home. With kindest remembrances to your dear parents, sisters and brothers, remember me to Mrs. Davis & family & others, and last though not least to your devoted self. I remain yours very truly, Edwin I. Kursheedt   Blakey's Mill Road June 25, '62 My Dear Miss Sarah-- During the past two hours we have been on the "qui vive" for marching--the batteries "hitched up" & rations all provided. We expect to take position tonight or tomorrow morning early. The cause of the alarm was that the Enemy was reported advancing. There has been and still is a heavy cannonading all day so that we expect the fight tomorrow. It was my intention to come in this morning but the above order prevented my so doing. I will be busy this evening issuing orders &c. to the various Batteries under the Colonel so will not be able to see you. Love to all at home & accept the same for yourself from Yours very truly Edwin The Battle Flag will be unfurled tomorrow    Battle Field near Gainesville Va. August 25, 1862 My Dear Miss Sarah, This is the first opportunity I have had since my last to you from Gordonsville about two weeks ago. Since our departure from Richmond we have not remained 24 hours in the same place & have been in two engagements--Last Saturday the 3rd Compy and our Battery together with others, engaged the Enemy at Rappahannock Station & after a hard fight of 4 hours drove the enemy from his position occupying his camp in the evening. The loss in our two companies was very heavy. 23 killed & wounded--one man of my piece was killed instantly & two wounded. A statement of our loss was sent to the "Whig." The little Battle Flag is pretty well cut up by the shells of the enemy & we are all very proud of it. One of our guns (nigger baby) burst mortally wounding one of our men. We lost 25 horses--This was the hottest place we have been in. Yesterday we went into another artillery duel severe engaged for two hours & had 3 men wounded in the 3rd co. none in ours. The tables have been turned & we are now pressing the enemy to the wall. We are looking for an engagement tomorrow & should the same take place I fancy it will be quite heavy--the relative positions of the armies are on a portion of the Battle Field of Manassas--we are but 10 miles from Centreville--a great many prisoners are passing on the road & the enemy are shelling the woods about 1800 yards from us but hurting no one. By the Protection of a kind Providence I am again spared after having had some very narrow escapes. I write today for the purpose of informing you of my safety as I suppose the accounts of these engagements have been published. Henry Florance is quite well & begs to be remembered. All of our wounded boys were taken to Culpepper C.H. where the ladies are attending to them. There is no telling when we shall see Richmond as we might march into the Enemy's country, but I shall certainly try to come down for the Holy days. Remember me to Mrs. Davis & family say to her Eugene Levy & brother are both well--we fought side by side in both engagements. I hope ere long we will have regular mail communication with Richmond . I must close in haste--a heavy engagement has just opened on our left. Give my love to all the family. Yours very affectionately, Edwin Should you see Mr. Everett tell him to go to Mr. Gardeners & inquire for letters for things to bring us up 10 lbs. Sugar & some Confederate coffee. We have plenty of eggs & butter at 12 1/2 cents per doz. Send my white flannel over shirt & socks by him.      Petersburg, Va. December 28th, 1864 My darling Sarah, I am very much disappointed at the fact of your not having rec'd a letter from me yesterday. I wrote on Sunday and gave the letter to Mr. Hall who was going over on Monday on going home to dinner that day I found he had not left but intended so doing on Tuesday. Which, owing to the illness of his brother, he did not do; but as he says he will leave positively today, I have destroyed the first letter I wrote and shall embody a portion of it in this. Yesterday I rec'd yours of 25' inst. which together with two others rec'd on Friday & Saturday puts me in possession of three dear tokens of love from you. They were truly sweet ones and I revelled in reading them. My spirits on Friday were considerably depressed for I had been told of the fall of Savannah , but upon rec'g your letter I was greatly revived. I note your remarks, my darling, on the present state of affairs; they are all very true, but I do hope & look forward to a speedy important change in our military condition. I consider the defeat that has fallen on Hood is far more serious to our cause than Sherman 's march thro' Georgia & the fall of Savannah . As you probably know, Genl. Lee has been made Commander in Chief of the Armies and has reinstated Genl. Johnston in command of the Western Army, at least so it is here reported. I went up to Genl. Lee's H.Q.rs yesterday on business & saw him, but he did not say anything to me about this. Christmas has come and gone. I spent it at Mrs. Banks' where I had quite a sumptuous repast, finishing up with her eggnog, cake, &c. I ate so much sponge cake that whenever you would touch me, it would be just like squeezing an India rubber ball. Yes, my darling, everybody is getting married. Daily the matrimonial column of the newspapers have two or more notices. Today I read in the "Examiner" of the marriage of Miss Vanessa Schlaffenberger to a Dr. Hobson (rather a harsh name for "Hobson's choice"). I wonder if one of the bridal presents was not a bowl of sauerkraut. To translate the lady's name (sleeping mountains) would be very romantic in English; If she is as large in proportion as her name is long, "I tots mine gracious" she would be one of your Teutonic females of delicate "barrel" waist, whose arms are the size of one person, and bust a young Sebastopol. Yah dat ist diese--Didn't I told you so! Apropos to the above let me tell you of the debut of Henry into the "Kugel Society of the Cockade City"-- This morning he informed me that the night previous he had been to a party at a Mr. Rosenfeld's, and, (to use his expression) "had a bully time"-- I told him that his chances in Richmond having "gone up" and Savannah being in the hands of the enemy (for he says he has a sweetheart there) he had probably decided upon locating in this City and was "looking around." When you write to him say that you understand he was particularly attentive to Miss Feibleman (niece of the Hazan) at the party. He borrowed my jacket (unknown to me) & wore it in the occasion, he must be very anxious to wear the bars. I have not been able to see the Hanucka lights this year. Last year I was with my Aunt and officiated in reading the service as I always did at home for in addition to lighting the lamps in Synagogue we always did so at home. That was our Christmas, as children and we always rec'd presents & enjoyed ourselves--but those times have passed and I only expect to see them again when I shall have a family of my own to hand down these ceremonies to. Don't you say so too, my Pet? As I wrote you in my last, my love, that it was my intention to apply for a leave of absence for 20 days (I can't get more) when my Serg't Major returns, you may rest assured I shall count the days until the time comes for me to see you. Elhanon left here for Richmond on Monday Evening & returns this evening. After I shall have been with you in February not many weeks will elapse ere Pesach. So you see how we shall work it--just so! I wish you would make a pkge of gray cloth & a strip of red cloth to make cording for the pantaloons & lining & (keep out the gold braid, hook & eye) and I will send for it. I am much obliged to you for fixing the shirt. Include it in the bundle. Love to all my darling and accept the same from your devoted & affectionate Edwin Henry sends his love to you & all -- He expects there is a pkge for him at the Express Office & asks if your father will please attend to it for him.