A schoolteacher before the War, Henry Wyatt Wingfield (1829-1902) enlisted as Private, Co. H, 58th Virginia Infantry on 5 September 1861. He was appointed 3rd Lieutenant on October 15th, and elected Captain of his Company at the Army reorganization in May 1862. He was wounded in action near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in May 1863 on the Chancellorsville campaign, but returned to command the Regiment again in July 1863. He was absent at Patrick County, Virginia, in August and September 1863 – noted as deserter – and again due to illness in May 1864. He had married in January 1864 to Carrie Letitia Brown (1837-1910), and was in command of the 58th through most of June and July 1864. He was captured at Winchester on 19 September 1864 and prisoner at Fort Delaware until being released after War’s end on 17 June 1865. He returned to Hanover County and was a surveyor and later Professor at Randolph-Macon College. He died at his birthplace, “Marl Ridge”, in 1902. [Source: Antietam on the Web]

Letter 1

Fort Delaware, Delaware
October 8, 1864

Dear Madame,

Your kind letter of the 28th September was received yesterday and I hasten to reply. I was never attached to Ashby’s immediate command but have been with him repeatedly up and down the Valley of Virginia. I have been caught without even a change of clothing as I had my horse to the rear at the commencement of the fight and as I have no friends upon whom I can call for assistance, my chances for obtaining them are gloomy. I am willing to do anything honorable to obtain them. The kind people of Baltimore have already taxed themselves heavily to aid their friends and since I have been with abundance around me, it is hard for me to throw myself upon the charity of friends. Let me hear from you again and if you think you could furnish me some few articles, I will send you an order as it is required before you can send them to me. With sentiments of great esteem, I am your friends, — Henry W. Wingfield

Letter 2

Fort Delaware, Delaware
October 24, 1864

Dear Sister,

Enclosed I send you a permit approved by the General commanding for the following articles—viz: 2 calico shirts, 2 overshirts, 2 pair drawers, 2 pair socks, and one overcoat. I am fortunate in having so near a relation at this time in Baltimore as I am in much need of the articles and we can only receive them from relations. Be kind enough to have the articles placed in a box and the permit pasted on the top of it and direct it to me, Division 34. I am sorry to have to make such a demand upon you with your large family but I will make it good some day. I hope you can furnish the articles without much inconvenience. With regard to the drawers, please select cotton and not Canton flannel as the plain are preferable. Please let the overcoat be heavy and dark. Samuel M. Spengler is, I learn, a prisoner in the private’s barracks. If you conclude to write to him, you had better endorse “Private’s Barracks” on the back. As ladies are not generally posted as to the exact height of gentlemen, I will give my height. I am 5 feet, 9 inches high. I am not very fleshy now, weighing only 150. Write whenever you can do so conveniently. Your brother, — Henry W. Wingfield, Capt.