University of Virginia Library

Letter from William Francis Brand to Amanda Catherine Armentrout, March 22, 1865

As I have a good
opportunity to send a few lines
I hasten to make use of it.
My health is very good indeed
& hope this may find you the
same, I have no news worth
communicating, Thare are a thou
sand diferent rumers afloat.
Gen, Johnson[1] attacked the eni
my at Bentonville North Carolina[2]
& drove them back one mile captur
ing three peices of Artilery & some
few prisners when night came
on & the conflict ceased, The enimy
during the night was reinforced
with fresh troops & fortified.
thair position, I hope this is
only the begining of favora-
ble news from Johnsons Army
It is reported hear that the

enimy attacked Longstreets Corp
in thair entrenchments on the
north side of the James, the 20th
charging him three succeſsive
times & was each time hansome
ly repulsed. I pray almighty
God to give our men brave hearts
& strong arms to withstand the
shock of arms this spring so
that we may be able to teach
our foes that we can never be
subjugated while we can raise
an army,We are camped Near Pete
rsburg. Our Corps relieved Ander
sons We are camped in line of Battle. The Enimy are camped
l in line of battle half mile
in our frunt. Thair Pickets
are about two Hundred yards
in our frunt, & our pickets
fifty yards in frunt of our
breastworks I am on picket
on third of my time, The duty is not very hard in daylight,
but after dark you have to be
very wachfull we are not allowed
to sleep during the nights we
are on picket The Yanks
seem to be very sociable I believe
if it ware not for our officers
the men would all be laughf
ing & talking together. in fac
the Georgians on our right are
constantly trading papers & topa
cco for coffee They call us all
Johnnies Thair is no firing in
our frunt, But is kept up con
stantly after dark in frunt of
Roads[3] Div. I declair it looks
like foolishneſs to see men thus
opposed to each other to be fight
ing. I am certain if this war
was left in the hands of the
privats peace would soon be adjusted. Thare was right smart
mortor shelling hear the th.
It is a magnificent sight to
witneſs mortor shelling after
dark, But is not very plesant
to be exposed to the dangerous
misles, Many are under the impres
sion that thare will be no
regular engagment fought hear
I hope it may be so. This is any
thing but a beautifull camp. Most
of the men llike groundhogs live
under the ground I do'nt think
it will be very healthy hear in the
summer season, Our foes have again
been desecrating our once lovly
valley. Thare raid was a very suc
seſsfull one. They done a great
deal of damage to our railroads
& canal, But I will hope on & hope
ever that thare is a better day
comming, If you see brother John
try &use you in finance in[4]
getting him to return to his old comp. both
brothers have a notion of joining some cavelry
command I would rather stay would not do so
at presant. I have written a long letter to J. advising
him to return hear our cavalry papers came back
disapproving Dear Kate believe me to bear thee the
same strong & pure devotedneſs that I have hear
always expressed I must close soon write as soon
as convenient give me all the news generally
Now may a great & good God be with thee & thine