griffing@fnal.gov
The
Civil War Letters of William Beynon Phillips
[click on image to enlarge]
Headquarters
Provisional 2nd Pa.
Heavy Artillery
Alexandria, Va.
April 29, 1864
Dearest Annie,
I
received your letter this morning. I would
have had that pleasure two days sooner, but I have left Headquarters, Department
of Washington, and am now soldering once more, but with a better grace than
heretofore. I have been promoted 1st
Lieutenant and Adjutant of a regiment, composed of the surplus recruits of the old
2nd Penn Artillery, by Special Orders No. 153, War Department, Adjutant General's
Office. This happened April 20th 1864. Believe
me, ever since I have been hard at work organizing & getting the regiment in
trim. Our strength today is 1360 or so. We
marched on the 25th from [Fort] Ethan Allen, Virginia
to Alexandria, Virginia
and are now guarding trains to the Army of the
You must flatter yourself, my dear, with a long letter for I am now half dead with sleep and fatigue. My friend Davis, joins us tomorrow. He has been promoted 2nd Lieutenant. I feel now, of that, twice as happy...
Now I must tell you a sad story of what I was compelled to witness today in the camp next to us. A poor fellow was shot in his coffin for desertion. It was a sad sight to see him walk between the guards at reverse arms, the band playing the funeral march, and his 12 executioners receiving the stern order, Load at will -- Load -- then the young fellow looked so frail and delicate, but he marched with a firm step and was as composed as he could be. How I admired his pluck. He was shot dead at once and never needed a second volley, of which I was very happy. It is sad- but it must be done- to keep an army together, but he deserted to the Rebels and besides committed highway robbery.
Now I shall say something polite. I am getting sleepy, and I will leave you. Goodnight my dear. Love to Sue. Write soon.
I stop, but I remain yours as ever & evermore -- William B. Phillips
Address:
Lieut. W. B. Phillips
Adjutant, Provisional 2nd Pennsylvania
Heavy Artillery
Alexandria, Va.
or 9th Army Corps, Washington,
D.C.
A self-portrait sketch of William B. Phillips
wearing his new Lieutenant's stripe and readying the troops for the final
campaign of the war.
Footnotes
Even before what was to become known as the "Overland Campaign" began in May 1864, soldiers on both sides knew that stern fighting lay ahead. One member of the 2d US Sharpshooters wrote to his brother on 4 May 1864 saying, "Grant don't play you know. He means work." For the full letter, see the menu link above entitled 4 May 1864.
griffing@fnal.gov