The following letter was written by Robert Reid Hemphill (1840-1908), the son of Rev. William Ramsey Hemphill (1806-1876) and Hannah Smith Lind (1808-1895) of Abbeville, South Carolina. He first entered the service in June 1861 as a private in the 7th South Carolina Infantry. He was made the orderly for Gen. M. L. Bohnam and was present at 1st Manassas. In June 1862 he transferred to Co. G (“the Marshall Riflemen”), 1st South Carolina (Orr’s Rifles) where he eventually rose in rank to Sergeant Major (May 1864) in William McNeill Whistler’s unit, Orr’s Rifles, McGowan’s Brigade, Wilcox’s Division, Hill’s Corps, under General Robert E. Lee. He was wounded at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863, taken a POW at Falling Waters on 14 July 1863 but exchanged soon afterwards, and surrendered at Appomatox.

Robert’s letter gives us a good Confederate account of the Mine Run Campaign conducted in late November—early December 1862 in which Meade attempted to cross the Rapidan river and surprise Lee’s army but delays in river crossings and bad weather confounded his plans and he wisely withdrew before fully engaging with the Confederates who were well-fortified in breastworks.

Robert graduated from Erskine College in 1859 and married Eugenia Cornelia Brewton of Spartanburg county in 1870. He later served in the state legislature and became a judge.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Camp near Orange Court House, Va.
December 5th 1863

Dear Brother,

I received a letter from you by Neal Johnson but I was then away down the River in line of battle and consequently could not answer it with my usual promptitude. We had a hard time when on our tramp. It was very cold and we suffered most tremendously. In fact, I never had such a hard time. The weather was so cold that water would freeze in our canteens and on a man’s whiskers almost as soon as it touched. On Sabbath evening we were formed immediately beside a battery which would make us jump every time they fired. The Yankee skirmishers advanced till they could easily have picked us off in our breastworks but they didn’t fire but a round or two. We worked very hard building breastworks & if the Yankees had come on us, they would have met with a great defeat. We pursued them about six miles but they succeeded in getting across the [Rapidan] River. When we were fortifying, I found a white-handled knife—not much account but I will try to send it home & have a new blade put in it.

I am sorry that you lost the cow. Jack will go down to Richmond after the boxes in a few days & I know I will be glad when it does come as I am anxious to get something to eat that I can relish. I am tired of beef and unshortened bread. George Chiles has returned & is now messing with us. He brought a cook with him and at present we are doing very well—not having quite so much drudgery. A cook will pay very well sometimes.

Tell Sis Grier that I have been expecting a letter from her for some days. I have an interesting incident to relate to her. It will be very gratifying to her. She also promised to write as soon as I got here. Rather slow I think. I hate to make so many calls on you but I think John Simpson will be along at Christmas & would bring a supply of provisions. It would do well enough to put in a little meal or flour by way of variety. Also get a few goobers from Thom. Fair. I will leave the other articles to the judgement of the family, feeling assured that you will satisfy me. I came near starving last winter & I intend to try to guard against such suffering. You will have to excuse me.

What became of “this is the kind of corn we raise at ‘our house’?”

What about Brothers? Tell the folks at home to not interfere with things that don’t concern them. Next time they must refer to the English Grammar & Dictionary before they start another petition up to Gen’l Lee. The Gen’l received it and sent it down to Capt. Prato for his decision. I notice some names to it that were complaining when I was at home. I don’t see why Mother and Bella ever signed it knowing that Brothers in an unaccommodating speculation. He was not reported for extortion as the petition says, but so many complaints were sent on to members of Co. G in letters from home that Prato ordered him to report. If any more petitions are sent here about Brothers “asidulously laboring” “incalculating” services “volunteerly” rendered, we will indict the crowd for “murdering the King’s English.”

Old Andy ought to put two n’s in cannot. The President of the D. W. F. C. says that he (Brother) supplied “shoes too of a better quality than is furnished, &c.” He ought to take out the is and substitute are.

Love to all. Write soon & a long letter. Affectionately, — Robt. R. Hemphill

I want a pair of gloves as soon as I can get them.