Archive Record
Metadata
Accession number |
1999.155 |
Catalog Number |
1999.155.01 |
Collection |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Object Name |
Letter |
Title |
Fenn (Austin) Papers, 1864-1865 |
Creator |
Fenn (Austin) |
Date |
May 14, 1864 |
Dates of Creation |
May 14, 1864 |
Scope & Content |
Fenn's first letter (May 14, 1864) was written during the Wilderness Campaign. At the time Fenn was assigned to guard the supply train. His letter gives an account of the previous ten days, following the start of the campaign. "We left camp May 4th and travelled all night over a very rough road… The Fighting commenced the 5th just before night. We crossed the Rapidan with the train the 6th …the next day we was sent A mile back to Guard A Ford to keep Guerillas from crossing and pitching into the train Some of our soldiers had straggled back, they would come down to the River expecting to find the pontoons to cross over but they have been taken up, I was there with 8 Men and my orders was to make them wade Across or shoot them down… the 8th was A day of hard Fighting again. I saw Burnsides Negro Soldiers that day and they looked 5 times as well…" The second letter, dated June 17, 1864, places Fenn and the supply train near Richmond on the James River. "We have got around to the back door, and have commenced tapping for Admittance I don't know how polite the Rebs may be they may compel us to smash the last panel before they open the door, but it must open I think now sure." On October 20, 1864 Fenn writes to his wife about a battle the previous day at Cedar Creek (Belle Grove). The Confederates attacked before daylight, "we had it hard and long at close action, but they were stimulated by Liquor and fought like Crazy Men, and drove us back 4 miles…" Fenn relates the return of Major General Philip Henry Sheridan to the battlefield from Winchester. "Sheridan rode the whole length of the line Between us and the enemy and at just 3 oclock in the Afternoon the whole line moved forward and such Fighting as there was than never was beat, but we worked it right to them, and regained our old ground and took all their Artillery, in short they whipped us in the Morning but was whipped all to pieces themselves at night." Fenn's last letter to his wife, dated March 20 through 26, 1865 recounts the battle at Fort Stedman. The regiment had heard fighting and expected to be relieved but instead were ordered to advance. "At last word came to Forward we deployed and away we went across A flat through one swamp, the Johnnys rifles cracking like corn in A hot skillet… We hold their lines of Breastworks now; we picketed on them last night and were releived today; there has been big Fighting the whole length of our lines and we have licked like thunder…" |
Finding Aids |
Available in the archives or online at www.pearcecollections.us |
People |
Fenn, Austin Sheridan, Phillip Henry |
Search Terms |
Battle of the Wilderness Black Regiments Battle of Cedar Creek Battle of Fort Steadman |
Credit line |
Pearce Civil War Collection |
Copyrights |
The copyright of these materials is managed by the Navarro College Archives on behalf of the Navarro College Foundation, 3100 W. Collin St., Corsicana, Texas 75110 Phone: 903-875-7438. Internet: archives@navarrocollege.edu. Reproductions of original materials and transcriptions may be available. Please contact the archivist for further information. |
Physical characteristics |
4 items |