Battle of Fredericksburg
Continued from: Antietam and a Woman's Recollections of the Battle
For his conspicuous gallantry in the Battle of Sharpsburg, Antietam and many other battles, George Rust Bedinger was recommended for promotion to Captain. The recommendation for promotion of Private Bedinger was made on November 19, 1862, by Col. Edwin G. Lee, who had been in command of the 33rd Virginia since the death of Col. Neff at Second Manassas. “I respectfully recommend Private Geo. R. Bedinger, Co. E, 33rd VA Infantry for promotion to Captaincy of his company since Seibert resigned upon the ground of general need. Officering & skill being the best qualified in his company for the office, and upon the further ground of marked and conspicuous gallantry in many battles, and special conspicuous daring & coolness at Manassas Aug 28, 29, 30, Sept. 1st and at Sharpsburg Sept. 17th 1862.”
To his friend and superior Frederick Holliday, Col. Lee would justify Bedinger’s appointment as “there was no one [else] in it [the company] fit for it [the captaincy], and the Irish, (who remember him as acting Sargent Major) expressed their perfect willingness to have him. He makes one of the best Captains I know of, and his men are delighted with him.” [i]
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army , commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The Union army's futile frontal attacks on Confederate defenders is remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the Civil War, with Union casualties more than twice as heavy as those suffered by the Confederates.”
At Fredericksburg, Captain Bedinger had the responsibility of commanding the Company E, the “Emerald Guard” as the brigade defended Hamilton's Crossing on the far right of the Confederate line. Seeing but little action, Bedinger would write to his mother on the December 23rd, ”...Our sufferings, preceding and during the battle were considerable. Marching and tramping or lying upon the frozen earth, but not a man deserted his post."
It would appear that the promotion of Bedinger to Captain had a good effect on the men under his command. Bedinger would write several days after the battle: "I am very much pleased with the conduct of my Irishmen. They are enthusiastic and brave and at the same time obedient. I think they are fond of me, at least they are very attentive to my comfort."
Following is a letter from Capt. George R. Bedinger to his stepmother following the battle of Fredericksburg, Camp 12 miles from Fredericksburg.
Near Guinea Station & R.R.R.
December 23rd, 1862
My Dear Ma,
A soldier and rather doubtful character promises to convey a note to you and I am too glad to find the opportunity not to run the risk. Your letter, sent out with Diddy, having got a few days ago, but as we are separated by our enemies as well as distance it seemed good news from Home to me. I beg that as your promise in the letter, you will seize every opportunity to send me a word. Visitors are constantly coming to the army and by being on picket you will often find chances of sending letters, and when you know how much satisfaction, how much comfort a word from home gives to us soldiers you will spare no pains to let me hear from you. I fear you must have been uneasy on my account when you heard of that fierce battle at Fredericksburg. But our loss is small compared with that of the enemy. It was severe to us but most terribly to them. General Lee reports eighteen hundred as his entire loss. I am confident the enemy's is fifteen thousand in killed, wounded, and missing. They crossed on Thursday 11th under cover of their immense battery. All day Friday they were landing troops and on Saturday they made a desperate attack only to be beaten at every point and hurled, routed back to the river. Five different times they advanced against Longstreet (our left) and every time he mowed them with his artillery and drove them back with his bayonets. On our side AP Hill was entirely successful and their slaughter was tremendous. Sunday night, beaten, baffled, routed, they sneaked back to Stafford. But I suppose "On to Richmond!" is still the cry. How much harder is that road to travel than was _?_ of olden song. Our brigade was only partially engaged but I never saw men in more glorious fighting condition. We lost very few. Our sufferings, preceding and during the battle were considerable. Marching and tramping or lying upon the frozen earth, but not a man deserted his post. I am very much pleased with the conduct of my Irishmen. They are enthusiastic and brave and at the same time obedient. I think they are fond of me, at least they are very attentive to my comfort. You will be sorry to hear Maj. Edwin Lee has been compelled to resign on account of his health. He left yesterday provided with letters of the highest recommendation from all the Generals which will secure him some position with good pay in which he will not be obliged to express himself. Tell Aunt Henrietta this but make her understand that he is not weaker than he has been for months. I think Diddie is with Aunt Chattie at Charlottesville. Mr. Lee and Edmund in Lexington. I presume I shall hear from Diddy very soon. My Christmas will be a dull one but I hope yours may be pleasant and happy. Give much love to Aunt Henrietta and Loretta, Mrs. Griffith and the children.
With affectionately your
GR Bedinger
Camp Winder Feb 8th 1863
My Dear Diddy,
I wrote you a letter about a week ago directing to Charlottesville at the Baptist Institute. I hope it will be forwarded to you. Captain Orrick brought me your last letter yesterday. I was glad to get it, mother’s [letter] came more than a week ago announcing the death of Grandma [Maria Claggett Marlow, the wife of Gen. George Rust]. Poor old lady, but for the terrible accident I could scarcely mourn her death. I got a letter the other day by some means or other from Ma dated 20th December. She was complaining the rest were perfectly well. Chief Griffith was expected to return daily from the North. This is about all the information it contained. I sometimes find opportunities of sending letters to _?_ and have written several lately informing them of your movements & etc. The weather is beautiful just now, this is like a spring morning. Tho’ lately we have had it terribly inclement and cold. I am extremely comfortably fixed, have an excellent hut and stove, and would rather prefer bad weather as it precludes the possibility of our marching until more favorable season. As to the "Fighting Joe Hooker's" advancing, I don't fear it at this time, he comes to his destruction, and he knows it. I saw Maj. Pendleton this morning. It is thought he is in with Miss Corbin, who lives at the magnificent house where Gen'l Jackson has his H'd Qtr’s. I have made an application for leave of absence for twelve days but have no progress of getting it, as I learned yesterday that no Captains were to be permitted to leave. My papers have not come back yet. Of course I should like to see you and Ida but my desire to visit Lexington is very much diminished at learning that Miss Puston is not in town, where has she gone and when is she expected to return? You must give a great deal of love to Ma, ask her to write to me, what sort of a looking baby is hers! Present my respects to Mrs P, cousin Lia and the family. Tell Chip Rosa I can never forgive her for driving me to the Army. If you ever meet Frank Puston, say that I desire to be _?_ to him and would be glad if he'd write to me. You had better not mention to the family anything about Sandy's [Maj. Alexander Pendleton] love affair,
Love to Aunt Chattie. [Charlotte Rust, youngest daughter of General George Rust]
Your affectionate brother
GR Bedinger [George Rust Bedinger]
Following is an unsigned letter probably from Diddie to her stepmother at Poplar Grove.
Lexington March 7th 63
My Dear Ma,
As I have heard of an opportunity - re - Clark, I will again make the effort to get a letter to you. I am at times very anxious to be at home again + would give a great deal to see you all. But as we have no prospect of peace (that I can see) + have only to look forward to more fighting this summer, I think I shall have to remain where I am. I cannot bear the idea of all of us separated from George while he is thus exposed. It would not be so terrible if we were where we could hear from him but with the situation as you will in all probability be (within the Yankee lines) is too much. I should go distracted with anxiety. All that we can do is hope that we may be able to hold the Valley and then we can all be together. I cannot say that I am enjoying myself so very much for of course as I do not you all, I have a very quiet time. This however I would mind if I could hear you occasionally. I know that you must have written but no letters have ever reached me. I have written to you frequently. I can very easily stay here some months longer if I can get some clothes for the spring or summer. I have nothing in the world black to wear, and can get nothing here. I don't suppose I can get a tolerably decent summer dress for less than thirty or forty dollars. As I told you in another letter, I had to give thirty three dollars ($33) for a calico dress and a most indifferent one at that price. If you could get me any kind of a black dress to Clark (to the care of our friend who carries this letter) I might be able to get it and I assure you I shall be very much obliged for anything you may be able to procure for me, no matter how indifferent. I hope you have received my letter informing you of dear Grandmas death. I sent it several weeks ago. We are looking forward with a great deal of pleasure of having Aunt Ginnie here and we have engaged board for her here and suppose she will arrive about the first of April. This will be very pleasant for us all particularly Aunt Chatty as she is often now sad and lonely. George made me a short miss week before last. This was just as fast as he could possible but I cannot say that his good looks were helped Kurcby. We had his likeness taken for you while in Staunton; he left it in my care. You would hardly know me. I have fattened so much since I left home. I weigh no less than one hundred and thirty four pounds (134). Considering the Yankees intend to starve the rebels out, I think George and I are pretty fir specimens. Please give a great deal of love to all at Bedford and tell Aunt M that her little grandson is the joy of the whole house and is as lovely as the babies are ever made. Please give much love to all the girls, especially Leila Yippie and the Robinsons.
With much love to Miss G and the children
I am yours affectionately
R Bedinger
Battle of Chancellorsville
The battle at the town of Chancellorsville, in Spotsylvania County, was fought between April 30 and May 6, 1863. These battle pitted the Union Army Gen. Joseph Hooker against an army less than half its size, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Chancellorsville is known as Lee's "perfect battle" because his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. The victory, a product of Lee's audacity and Hooker's timid decision making, was tempered by heavy casualties and the mortal wounding of Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson to friendly fire.
Following the battles, George Rust Bedinger wrote the following letter to Virginia, referring to the terrible battle of Chancellorsville and the death of General “Stonewall” Jackson.
In line of Battle near Chancellorsville
Monday May 14th 1863
My dear Virginia,
Yesterday we fought the most terrible battle of this war, attacking the enemy in his chosen position and driving him at every point, our Brigade behaved magnificently but lost very heavily. Our brave General's remains will reach Lexington before this gets to you. Today we are in line and throwing up breast works, whether we will attack or the enemy retreat further, I cannot say. I'm pretty certain of more fighting. Thank God I am spared to write you this note, tho’ half of my little company were killed or wounded. Uncle George is safe, so is John Boldoin, both send love to you. Mr. Pendleton [either Gen. H. N. Pendleton or his son Alexander Pendleton] and Henry Douglas [Henry Kyd Douglas] are well.
I do not know how I am to send this to you.
Your devoted brother
GR Bedinger [George Rust Bedinger]
Love to all
The Battle of Chancellorsville would have a devastating effect on the Stonewall Brigade and the Confederacy despite the military victory. General Jackson, their beloved leader, had been severely wounded by his own pickets on the night of the 3rd. He lost his arm and died within a few days from complications. Although General Lee would feel that he had come to lose his right arm with the death of Jackson, Lee prepared to launch his second offensive northwards into Maryland and Pennsylvania. In early June 1863, General Robert E. Lee ordered The Army of Northern Virginia to clear the Shenandoah Valley of Union opposition so Lee’s army could proceed on its invasion of Pennsylvania. [ref. Emerald Brigade, ] May 16, 1863, Capt. Bedinger of the 33rd Virginia with other brigade officers sent a petition to the Confederate Congress to officially designate the brigade as the Stonewall brigade.
Battle of Winchester
Around midnight on June 14, the Thirty-third, formed line of battle near the Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike where, being on the extreme left of the brigade, the regiment drew "desultory fire" from the enemy. The Emerald Guard suffered one man wounded as they were ordered not to return fire. As the enemy broke and fled northwards, the 33rd pursued. Captain Bedinger wrote home to his sister boasting of another Confederate victory on the day following the battle:
Camp near Winchester June 16th 1862 [The date should be 1863, This is presumably a transcribing error.]
Dear Diddy,
Rejoice in the glorious victory which, to use our good old chieftains expression, God has given us. We arrived before this town on 13th and surrounded it, bombed the Yankees during the 14th. Had a sharp battle with others yesterday (16th) as they tried to escape and killed or captured two thirds of their force. We have taken between two and three thousand prisoners, over twenty pieces of magnificent cannons, wagons, horses and mules, innumerable stores and plunder of every description to an immense account. I think we shall move to the Potomac today as we are order to march at eleven. I shall endeavor to get home for an hour. I suppose you will come charging down bag and baggage before soon. I have seen the girls in Winchester. Give my love to Wes and the rest.
Your brother
GR Bedinger
I did get the socks you sent and they suit me perfectly. I also got you lost letter written in answer to mine from Camp Paxton. I lost one more yesterday very badly wounded.
GRB
The victory at Second Winchester cleared the Valley of Federal troops and opened the door for Lee's second invasion of the North. The capturing of ample supplies justified Lee's conceptual plan to provision his army on the march. The Federal defeat stunned the North, and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton called for additional militia to be federalized.
For his conspicuous gallantry in the Battle of Sharpsburg, Antietam and many other battles, George Rust Bedinger was recommended for promotion to Captain. The recommendation for promotion of Private Bedinger was made on November 19, 1862, by Col. Edwin G. Lee, who had been in command of the 33rd Virginia since the death of Col. Neff at Second Manassas. “I respectfully recommend Private Geo. R. Bedinger, Co. E, 33rd VA Infantry for promotion to Captaincy of his company since Seibert resigned upon the ground of general need. Officering & skill being the best qualified in his company for the office, and upon the further ground of marked and conspicuous gallantry in many battles, and special conspicuous daring & coolness at Manassas Aug 28, 29, 30, Sept. 1st and at Sharpsburg Sept. 17th 1862.”
To his friend and superior Frederick Holliday, Col. Lee would justify Bedinger’s appointment as “there was no one [else] in it [the company] fit for it [the captaincy], and the Irish, (who remember him as acting Sargent Major) expressed their perfect willingness to have him. He makes one of the best Captains I know of, and his men are delighted with him.” [i]
The Battle of Fredericksburg was fought December 11–15, 1862, in and around Fredericksburg, Virginia, between General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and the Union Army , commanded by Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. The Union army's futile frontal attacks on Confederate defenders is remembered as one of the most one-sided battles of the Civil War, with Union casualties more than twice as heavy as those suffered by the Confederates.”
At Fredericksburg, Captain Bedinger had the responsibility of commanding the Company E, the “Emerald Guard” as the brigade defended Hamilton's Crossing on the far right of the Confederate line. Seeing but little action, Bedinger would write to his mother on the December 23rd, ”...Our sufferings, preceding and during the battle were considerable. Marching and tramping or lying upon the frozen earth, but not a man deserted his post."
It would appear that the promotion of Bedinger to Captain had a good effect on the men under his command. Bedinger would write several days after the battle: "I am very much pleased with the conduct of my Irishmen. They are enthusiastic and brave and at the same time obedient. I think they are fond of me, at least they are very attentive to my comfort."
Following is a letter from Capt. George R. Bedinger to his stepmother following the battle of Fredericksburg, Camp 12 miles from Fredericksburg.
Near Guinea Station & R.R.R.
December 23rd, 1862
My Dear Ma,
A soldier and rather doubtful character promises to convey a note to you and I am too glad to find the opportunity not to run the risk. Your letter, sent out with Diddy, having got a few days ago, but as we are separated by our enemies as well as distance it seemed good news from Home to me. I beg that as your promise in the letter, you will seize every opportunity to send me a word. Visitors are constantly coming to the army and by being on picket you will often find chances of sending letters, and when you know how much satisfaction, how much comfort a word from home gives to us soldiers you will spare no pains to let me hear from you. I fear you must have been uneasy on my account when you heard of that fierce battle at Fredericksburg. But our loss is small compared with that of the enemy. It was severe to us but most terribly to them. General Lee reports eighteen hundred as his entire loss. I am confident the enemy's is fifteen thousand in killed, wounded, and missing. They crossed on Thursday 11th under cover of their immense battery. All day Friday they were landing troops and on Saturday they made a desperate attack only to be beaten at every point and hurled, routed back to the river. Five different times they advanced against Longstreet (our left) and every time he mowed them with his artillery and drove them back with his bayonets. On our side AP Hill was entirely successful and their slaughter was tremendous. Sunday night, beaten, baffled, routed, they sneaked back to Stafford. But I suppose "On to Richmond!" is still the cry. How much harder is that road to travel than was _?_ of olden song. Our brigade was only partially engaged but I never saw men in more glorious fighting condition. We lost very few. Our sufferings, preceding and during the battle were considerable. Marching and tramping or lying upon the frozen earth, but not a man deserted his post. I am very much pleased with the conduct of my Irishmen. They are enthusiastic and brave and at the same time obedient. I think they are fond of me, at least they are very attentive to my comfort. You will be sorry to hear Maj. Edwin Lee has been compelled to resign on account of his health. He left yesterday provided with letters of the highest recommendation from all the Generals which will secure him some position with good pay in which he will not be obliged to express himself. Tell Aunt Henrietta this but make her understand that he is not weaker than he has been for months. I think Diddie is with Aunt Chattie at Charlottesville. Mr. Lee and Edmund in Lexington. I presume I shall hear from Diddy very soon. My Christmas will be a dull one but I hope yours may be pleasant and happy. Give much love to Aunt Henrietta and Loretta, Mrs. Griffith and the children.
With affectionately your
GR Bedinger
Camp Winder Feb 8th 1863
My Dear Diddy,
I wrote you a letter about a week ago directing to Charlottesville at the Baptist Institute. I hope it will be forwarded to you. Captain Orrick brought me your last letter yesterday. I was glad to get it, mother’s [letter] came more than a week ago announcing the death of Grandma [Maria Claggett Marlow, the wife of Gen. George Rust]. Poor old lady, but for the terrible accident I could scarcely mourn her death. I got a letter the other day by some means or other from Ma dated 20th December. She was complaining the rest were perfectly well. Chief Griffith was expected to return daily from the North. This is about all the information it contained. I sometimes find opportunities of sending letters to _?_ and have written several lately informing them of your movements & etc. The weather is beautiful just now, this is like a spring morning. Tho’ lately we have had it terribly inclement and cold. I am extremely comfortably fixed, have an excellent hut and stove, and would rather prefer bad weather as it precludes the possibility of our marching until more favorable season. As to the "Fighting Joe Hooker's" advancing, I don't fear it at this time, he comes to his destruction, and he knows it. I saw Maj. Pendleton this morning. It is thought he is in with Miss Corbin, who lives at the magnificent house where Gen'l Jackson has his H'd Qtr’s. I have made an application for leave of absence for twelve days but have no progress of getting it, as I learned yesterday that no Captains were to be permitted to leave. My papers have not come back yet. Of course I should like to see you and Ida but my desire to visit Lexington is very much diminished at learning that Miss Puston is not in town, where has she gone and when is she expected to return? You must give a great deal of love to Ma, ask her to write to me, what sort of a looking baby is hers! Present my respects to Mrs P, cousin Lia and the family. Tell Chip Rosa I can never forgive her for driving me to the Army. If you ever meet Frank Puston, say that I desire to be _?_ to him and would be glad if he'd write to me. You had better not mention to the family anything about Sandy's [Maj. Alexander Pendleton] love affair,
Love to Aunt Chattie. [Charlotte Rust, youngest daughter of General George Rust]
Your affectionate brother
GR Bedinger [George Rust Bedinger]
Following is an unsigned letter probably from Diddie to her stepmother at Poplar Grove.
Lexington March 7th 63
My Dear Ma,
As I have heard of an opportunity - re - Clark, I will again make the effort to get a letter to you. I am at times very anxious to be at home again + would give a great deal to see you all. But as we have no prospect of peace (that I can see) + have only to look forward to more fighting this summer, I think I shall have to remain where I am. I cannot bear the idea of all of us separated from George while he is thus exposed. It would not be so terrible if we were where we could hear from him but with the situation as you will in all probability be (within the Yankee lines) is too much. I should go distracted with anxiety. All that we can do is hope that we may be able to hold the Valley and then we can all be together. I cannot say that I am enjoying myself so very much for of course as I do not you all, I have a very quiet time. This however I would mind if I could hear you occasionally. I know that you must have written but no letters have ever reached me. I have written to you frequently. I can very easily stay here some months longer if I can get some clothes for the spring or summer. I have nothing in the world black to wear, and can get nothing here. I don't suppose I can get a tolerably decent summer dress for less than thirty or forty dollars. As I told you in another letter, I had to give thirty three dollars ($33) for a calico dress and a most indifferent one at that price. If you could get me any kind of a black dress to Clark (to the care of our friend who carries this letter) I might be able to get it and I assure you I shall be very much obliged for anything you may be able to procure for me, no matter how indifferent. I hope you have received my letter informing you of dear Grandmas death. I sent it several weeks ago. We are looking forward with a great deal of pleasure of having Aunt Ginnie here and we have engaged board for her here and suppose she will arrive about the first of April. This will be very pleasant for us all particularly Aunt Chatty as she is often now sad and lonely. George made me a short miss week before last. This was just as fast as he could possible but I cannot say that his good looks were helped Kurcby. We had his likeness taken for you while in Staunton; he left it in my care. You would hardly know me. I have fattened so much since I left home. I weigh no less than one hundred and thirty four pounds (134). Considering the Yankees intend to starve the rebels out, I think George and I are pretty fir specimens. Please give a great deal of love to all at Bedford and tell Aunt M that her little grandson is the joy of the whole house and is as lovely as the babies are ever made. Please give much love to all the girls, especially Leila Yippie and the Robinsons.
With much love to Miss G and the children
I am yours affectionately
R Bedinger
Battle of Chancellorsville
The battle at the town of Chancellorsville, in Spotsylvania County, was fought between April 30 and May 6, 1863. These battle pitted the Union Army Gen. Joseph Hooker against an army less than half its size, Gen. Robert E. Lee's Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Chancellorsville is known as Lee's "perfect battle" because his risky decision to divide his army in the presence of a much larger enemy force resulted in a significant Confederate victory. The victory, a product of Lee's audacity and Hooker's timid decision making, was tempered by heavy casualties and the mortal wounding of Lt. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson to friendly fire.
Following the battles, George Rust Bedinger wrote the following letter to Virginia, referring to the terrible battle of Chancellorsville and the death of General “Stonewall” Jackson.
In line of Battle near Chancellorsville
Monday May 14th 1863
My dear Virginia,
Yesterday we fought the most terrible battle of this war, attacking the enemy in his chosen position and driving him at every point, our Brigade behaved magnificently but lost very heavily. Our brave General's remains will reach Lexington before this gets to you. Today we are in line and throwing up breast works, whether we will attack or the enemy retreat further, I cannot say. I'm pretty certain of more fighting. Thank God I am spared to write you this note, tho’ half of my little company were killed or wounded. Uncle George is safe, so is John Boldoin, both send love to you. Mr. Pendleton [either Gen. H. N. Pendleton or his son Alexander Pendleton] and Henry Douglas [Henry Kyd Douglas] are well.
I do not know how I am to send this to you.
Your devoted brother
GR Bedinger [George Rust Bedinger]
Love to all
The Battle of Chancellorsville would have a devastating effect on the Stonewall Brigade and the Confederacy despite the military victory. General Jackson, their beloved leader, had been severely wounded by his own pickets on the night of the 3rd. He lost his arm and died within a few days from complications. Although General Lee would feel that he had come to lose his right arm with the death of Jackson, Lee prepared to launch his second offensive northwards into Maryland and Pennsylvania. In early June 1863, General Robert E. Lee ordered The Army of Northern Virginia to clear the Shenandoah Valley of Union opposition so Lee’s army could proceed on its invasion of Pennsylvania. [ref. Emerald Brigade, ] May 16, 1863, Capt. Bedinger of the 33rd Virginia with other brigade officers sent a petition to the Confederate Congress to officially designate the brigade as the Stonewall brigade.
Battle of Winchester
Around midnight on June 14, the Thirty-third, formed line of battle near the Winchester and Martinsburg turnpike where, being on the extreme left of the brigade, the regiment drew "desultory fire" from the enemy. The Emerald Guard suffered one man wounded as they were ordered not to return fire. As the enemy broke and fled northwards, the 33rd pursued. Captain Bedinger wrote home to his sister boasting of another Confederate victory on the day following the battle:
Camp near Winchester June 16th 1862 [The date should be 1863, This is presumably a transcribing error.]
Dear Diddy,
Rejoice in the glorious victory which, to use our good old chieftains expression, God has given us. We arrived before this town on 13th and surrounded it, bombed the Yankees during the 14th. Had a sharp battle with others yesterday (16th) as they tried to escape and killed or captured two thirds of their force. We have taken between two and three thousand prisoners, over twenty pieces of magnificent cannons, wagons, horses and mules, innumerable stores and plunder of every description to an immense account. I think we shall move to the Potomac today as we are order to march at eleven. I shall endeavor to get home for an hour. I suppose you will come charging down bag and baggage before soon. I have seen the girls in Winchester. Give my love to Wes and the rest.
Your brother
GR Bedinger
I did get the socks you sent and they suit me perfectly. I also got you lost letter written in answer to mine from Camp Paxton. I lost one more yesterday very badly wounded.
GRB
The victory at Second Winchester cleared the Valley of Federal troops and opened the door for Lee's second invasion of the North. The capturing of ample supplies justified Lee's conceptual plan to provision his army on the march. The Federal defeat stunned the North, and Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton called for additional militia to be federalized.
Sources:
[i] Swidal, Bryan, n. d., The Emerald Guard - A Brief history of Company "E" Thirty-third Virginia Infantry, http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/33E/unit.html, Swidal , in turn, cites the following references regarding Bedinger's promotion: Robert J. Driver,1987, The 1st and 2nd Rockbridge Artillery , H. E. Howard, Lynchburge, Va.; Lee, Col. Edwin G., Dispatch; Lee, Col.,Edwin G., Letter to Frederick W. M. Holiday, Dec. 222, 1862, Holiday Papers, Duke University; Lee, Col. Edwin g., 33rd Virginia, Letter to Sec. of War, James A. Seddon, Jan. 21, 1863; Conn, Lieut. Thomas E., Letter to Gen. Samuel S. Cooper, Adjt. Gen., C. S. A.
[i] Swidal, Bryan, n. d., The Emerald Guard - A Brief history of Company "E" Thirty-third Virginia Infantry, http://www.stonewallbrigade.com/33E/unit.html, Swidal , in turn, cites the following references regarding Bedinger's promotion: Robert J. Driver,1987, The 1st and 2nd Rockbridge Artillery , H. E. Howard, Lynchburge, Va.; Lee, Col. Edwin G., Dispatch; Lee, Col.,Edwin G., Letter to Frederick W. M. Holiday, Dec. 222, 1862, Holiday Papers, Duke University; Lee, Col. Edwin g., 33rd Virginia, Letter to Sec. of War, James A. Seddon, Jan. 21, 1863; Conn, Lieut. Thomas E., Letter to Gen. Samuel S. Cooper, Adjt. Gen., C. S. A.
Continued: Battle of Gettysburg