Letter from Asbury Coward to his wife Elise, September 18, 1862
Title
Letter from Asbury Coward to his wife Elise, September 18, 1862
Subject
Description
Letter written by Asbury Coward to his wife Elise. He talks about the fighting he has been engaged in and how he was knocked off his horse by an exploding shell.
Creator
Source
A2009.6, Box 3 Folder 1
Publisher
The Citadel Archives and Museum
Date
Rights
Materials in The Citadel Archives & Museum Digital Collections are intended for educational and research use. The user assumes all responsibility for identifying and satisfying any claimants of copyright. For more information contact The Citadel Archives & Museum, The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409.
Format
application/pdf
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1587
Coverage
York (S. C.)
Text
[Page 1]
Sharpsburg M’d.
Sept 18. 1862
My darling wife
As I have at last a possible chance of getting a letter to the rear, that is to somewhere South of the Potomac, I write to say that God’s mercy has not yet been withdrawn from me. Yesterday we had one of the hardest and bloodiest fight that this war has yet known. From early dawn until dark our whole line seemed engaged - many times the enemy was repulsed, but their numbers seemed almost infinite. However, our gallant little Army, for it is now but a handfull, regained all the ground we originally had. There has been no serious demonstration to-day. On the front of our own Division the [illegible] fire has been continuous and severe, but there is as yet no indication of an advance on the part of the enemy. Yesterday the butt end of a shell which exploded just in front of my horse, struck me on the bridle hand and pit of the stomach, bringing me off my horse. In a few moments, however, and before the ambulance Corps of the Regiment I was
[Page 2]
leading could get hold of me, I recovered my breath sufficiently to carry the Regiment to its position. My thumb is much swollen and very sore, but the pain has entirely left my ribs and stomach; so that I am by no means [illegible] combat. All the rest of the staff escaped [illegible] Tell Jenkin’s his Brigade did very well, though of course nothing like what it would have done had be been there to command it.
Well, that is all I have time to say about the fight or say about anything else. We are in a pretty tight place, but we trust in God.
Your devoted husband
A Coward
Sharpsburg M’d.
Sept 18. 1862
My darling wife
As I have at last a possible chance of getting a letter to the rear, that is to somewhere South of the Potomac, I write to say that God’s mercy has not yet been withdrawn from me. Yesterday we had one of the hardest and bloodiest fight that this war has yet known. From early dawn until dark our whole line seemed engaged - many times the enemy was repulsed, but their numbers seemed almost infinite. However, our gallant little Army, for it is now but a handfull, regained all the ground we originally had. There has been no serious demonstration to-day. On the front of our own Division the [illegible] fire has been continuous and severe, but there is as yet no indication of an advance on the part of the enemy. Yesterday the butt end of a shell which exploded just in front of my horse, struck me on the bridle hand and pit of the stomach, bringing me off my horse. In a few moments, however, and before the ambulance Corps of the Regiment I was
[Page 2]
leading could get hold of me, I recovered my breath sufficiently to carry the Regiment to its position. My thumb is much swollen and very sore, but the pain has entirely left my ribs and stomach; so that I am by no means [illegible] combat. All the rest of the staff escaped [illegible] Tell Jenkin’s his Brigade did very well, though of course nothing like what it would have done had be been there to command it.
Well, that is all I have time to say about the fight or say about anything else. We are in a pretty tight place, but we trust in God.
Your devoted husband
A Coward
Collection
Citation
Coward, Asbury, 1835-1925, “Letter from Asbury Coward to his wife Elise, September 18, 1862,” The Citadel Archives Digital Collections, accessed April 24, 2024, https://citadeldigitalarchives.omeka.net/items/show/1587.