Caldwell Papers, #128

Northern Va 12 miles from Win- chester Sunday June 22nd 1863 Dear Father As I thought you would be uneasy about me I have have concluded to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and standing the marching very well we have just halted from a march of sixteen miles and wading both the forks of the Shenandoah I am in Pender's division there was a great deal of straling last Tuesday & Wednesday we have ten thousand men (or about that) in this division about 6000 were straglers thank God I have stood it well so far. John Happoldt gave out the second day but is with us now and stands it well. We are going into Pennsylvania is the general im- pression part of our troops are in Mary- land now. I have had command of my com- pany through this long march and suppose will keep command for some time yet. John Happoldt has command of his Will Avery also. I caught my first confederate just now dont be uneasy-- Will Avery says if you see any of his folks tell them he is well I wish you would send me a boy by Jink if you can spare one dont send it with-

[page 2] out you think he can be trusted it is getting dark I must stop Give my love to all Dont be uneasy about me. How is every body getting on I will write the first Chance. Write soon Your affectionate Son J Caldwell 23 June We are now at Berryville I saw the 11th Rgt to day they are all well J Caldwell

	Hd. Qrs. 33d Rgt. N.C.S. Bunker Hill 18th July /63 Dear Sir, I delayed untill this time in writing you with the fond hope that I could write you certainly with regard to the fate of your gallant son in the late fight at Gettysburg. My Regiment was engaged in the fight on the 1st July and although greatly exposed suffered very little on the 2d we were under shelling all day on the 3d day we were ordered forward to storm the heights. We advanced to within forty yards of the Enemys work and it was here that my little friend Jonny fell. I saw him but a few moments before we were ordered to fall back discharging his whole duty. You cannot imagine my feelings after reforming my Rgt to find him absent and upon being told that he was seen to fall forward on his face. As soon as we fell back the Enemy occupied the ground and hence it is I am forced to
	[page 2] write so unsatisfactorily to a fond and doting Father. I have used every exertion to obtain all the information I could in regard to Jonny and Candor compels me to say that there is very little hope but that he was killed or mortally wounded. The loss of my little friend is to me one of the most distressing incidents of the war. His noble nature in a short time had won from my bosom the warmest affection. He had made in the Rgt many friends and his death is regretted by officers and men. To console a Father for an only son is a difficult task You may have the satisfaction to know that he fell where we would all wish to fall (if it be God will) with his face to the enemy. He was in Command of his Company but by this he was not more exposed than he would otherwise have been The other S[erg]t. of his Company fell about the same time and is supposed to have been killed. A wounded Lt who
	[page 3] was near Jonny (but was able to walk off the field) thinks he was shot in the breast. I will write you again in few days more especially if I can find any information on which to predicate a hope that Jonny is alive. Accept for yourself and Mrs. Caldwell my warmest sympathy in account of this distressing casuality Very truly yours C. M. Avery

From the Caldwell Papers, #128, in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill