The following letter was written by Andrew Benton (1839-1920), the son of Henry Benton (1814-1906) and Mary Ann Marks (1817-1882) of Saratoga county, New York. Andrew wrote the letter from a camp near Centreville, Virginia, in mid-October 1863 while serving as a private in the 11th New York Independent Battery (Light Artillery). He had enlisted in December 1861 and served three years.

Despite rumors of Meade’s replacement following the Battle of Gettysburg, Andrew’s letter expresses confidence not only in their commander but in the army’s ability to whip Lee’s army wherever it goes. As an artillery unit, Andrew had reason to boast as the 11th New York Light Artillery took a position near the stone wall at the point of Pickett’s attack on July 3rd and opened fire “with great deliberation and desired effect”—firing a total of 89 rounds.

Transcription

Camp at Centreville, Virginia
October 18th 1863

Dear Brother,

Your letter of the 14 inst. was received last evening. It found me in excellent health as well as the rest of the Saratoga Boys.

Orin’s last bereavement will near about kill him. Aunt Lydia was an excellent woman from what acquaintance I had with her. I thought her to be one of the best of women. I think Orin was very much attached to her & I hope he will try and bear up under the new affliction.

Capt. John E Burton is quite sick with a fever. He will probably go to Washington today or tomorrow. Davis Shephard will go with him to take care of him.

When I last wrote you, I expected ‘ere this, that there would be a battle in this vicinity but it has not come yet. There is a good deal of stir. Yesterday a large force of infantry, artillery, & cavalry went to the front & it was thought by some that there would be some powder burnt today but all if quiet so far & the body of the army is marching towards Fairfax. We have not received any orders yet but expect them any moment. There is various rumors in camp of the whereabouts of the Gray backs. Some say that they have fallen back; others that they are going into Maryland. Well, I don’t care if they do go into Maryland. We have whipped them there & I think can do it again. They know better than to attack us here & Meade’s force is so small that I don’t think he will follow them if they fall back. There is another report in camp but it is not credited much by soldiers. It is said that Meade is superseded by General Warren, now commanding 2nd Corps. I hope this is not the case. I think Meade is just the man to command the Army of the Potomac.

What do you think of McClellen’s letter to Chas. J. Biddle? I think it will surprise some people but I lost confidence in him some time ago. Well, I am glad he has shown [his] colors at last. The party I referred to in my last letter came off according to program. We had a good time. The family (Mr. Yancy’s) lived about 4 miles outside of our picket lines, though we did not know it at the time, but our lines were drawn in the very day we went out. We saw the pickets when we were going out but as they did not offer to stop us, we asked no questions & went on our way rejoicing. But when we came back at 11 o’clock p.m., they halted us & seemed quite anxious to take us to Headquarters under guard. But Lieut. Wyatt was with us & talked the matter over with the Officer of the Guard & they let us through all right. We were in more danger than we were at the time aware of, but we enjoyed ourselves just as well & I would not mind taking another such adventure if we were in that neighborhood.

My Canadian friend, Mr. Durislan, is in Philadelphia , clerk in the same hospital with Charles H. Thomas. Edd received a letter from home last eve saying his Father was better.

I spilled some Ink on this letter but paper is so scarce just now that I cannot spare another sheet & I guess it is as plain as the rest of my letter. Write soon. Your brother, — A. Benton, 11th N.Y. Battery