The following letter was written by Richard Erskine Holcomb, Sr. (1824-1863), the son of Thomas Holcomb (1779-1865) and Clarinda Pettibone (1781-1855) of Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut.

Richard was an explorer of South America who learned to speak both French and Spanish and wrote articles about South America which were published in Harper’s Magazine. He also helped build several railroads in the south, including the Panama Railroad. Early in the Civil War he enlisted with the 3rd Connecticut Volunteers, in which he was a 1st Lieutenant. He was promoted rapidly to Major in the 13th Connecticut Volunteers, then to Colonel, and served for six months as brevet Brigadier General in White’s Regiment of 1st U.S. Louisiana Volunteers while commanding the 13th Connecticut Volunteers in policing New Orleans. He sailed up the Mississippi with General Farragut. While acting as Brigadier General in the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana, he led his troops of the 1st Louisiana Volunteers in a charge against the enemy on 27 May 1863 in which he was severely wounded. He died 14 Jun 1863.  His last words: “Charge forward, double quick.”

Richard’s letter was penned on 15 July 1861, just days before the Battle of Bull Run. It contains a variety of rumors and prognostications of how the long-awaited battle would turn out that are amusing to read today in light of what actually happened in the battle.

Transcription

Falls Church, Fairfax Co., Va.
July 15, 1861

My Dear wife,

Well, we finally know the time we are to start for Fairfax Court House. The order is to start tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock precisely. There has been all sorts of rumors circulating about camp today that Fairfax Court House was already taken, &c. Some believe them & felt disappointed that we had been cheated of the game. The rumor was, & which was published in a Washington paper this morning, that while we had kept the attention of the enemy fixed here, that several regiments had gone around and attacked them in the rear & had defeated them. A camp is a great place for rumors, but we understand these things better now than we did so that we believe everything false until we have an official conformation of its truth.

It seems that McClellan in western Virginia has given the rebels a good thrashing. There is another awaiting them shortly. The rebels are put to great straits. Governor Letcher has called out ten thousand militia to rendezvous at Genl. Beauregard’s headquarters. They have been drafting all the men in our neighborhood outside of our lines, to repair forthwith with such arms as they have got & such as they can get. This will be no advantage to them. An undisciplined rabble brought together in a hurry will run at the first fire, & create a general panic.

The companies are now drawing three days rations & I am siting here hearing the comments of the men. They all seem to be glad to hear that we are to move. Soldiers get uneasy—don’t like to remain long in one place—but would be just as glad to move back a few day after. There will be sixty men left with the camp. They are picked out of the sick, lame, halt & blind. In some companies, not a man wanted to stay.

We had another man shot yesterday, accidentally & carelessly—the same as before. He was shot in the belly, the ball passing through in a slanting direction & the doctor thought logged in the liver. It was a very small ball, but is in a very precarious situation, but may get along.

I wish there was a telegraph connecting us with Greeley. It would keep you posted up as we went along. I have no doubt but you will be very anxious to hear from us. Thousands of dear friends at home will watch in painful suspense the result of tomorrow and Wednesday’s work. At the south are those watching with more anxiety than you are. The chances of battle are on our side but the battle is not always to the strong. I hope to be able to write you from Fairfax on Wednesday. You may address me there at the same time. Send a copy to Washington & say on the letter “via Washington.”

I hope this will find you all well. Take good care of the pets. Kiss them all for me. Your affectionate husband, — R. E. Holcomb