“This is yankee paper I am writing on”
Letter from James Branscomb to his sister Lucinda
Contributed by John Davis, a GGGrandson of John Wesley Branscomb
My Great Great Grandfather and three of his brothers were in
the 3rd Alabama Regiment that took part in the flanking maneuver by Gen.
Jackson at Chancellorsville. The following letter was written by his brother
James to their sister following the battle on May 8th 1863. He
mentions the wounding of Generals Jackson and A.P. Hill the previous Saturday night.
Frank Anderson Chappell, Dear
Sister, Civil War Letters to a Sister in Alabama,
(Branch Springs Publishing, 2003), page 144.
Reprinted with permission of Frank Anderson Chappell
May 8, 1863
Dear Sister,
Thanks to my maker that I am once more permitted to so great a pleasure. The
fight is over and I and Lewis are both safe. The yanks were just a week on our
side the river, and it has been the hardest week's work that I have ever done.
Five nights out of seven I was on outpost, myself and Lewis being sharp
shooters. The outpost is our place. We have engaged the enemy at four different
times, twice in the line of battle and twice as skirmishers. Two balls passed
through my pants, one grape shot and the other a minnie ball, but I have not a
scratch on my skin. We had only one man killed dead on the field out of the
whole company. He was B.W. Underwoods substitute. 14 wounded and I fear some of
them will die. Lt Randle lost his arm. Last Sunday morning was the hardest
fought battle I have ever seen. Our men fought more devils then men, we at last
drove them from their position and gained the day. Tragic was the scene many a
poor wounded man was burned to death by the burning of the woods. The 3rd Ala
Regiment has won immortal honors. Genls Jackson and A.P. Hill were both wounded
last Saturday night by our own men, the former lost an arm. Genl Stuart took
command of Jackson's corps after he was wounded. My self and friend caputured
12 prisoners retreating from this side the river. I don't think the yanks will
try this rout to Richmond again. Old J Hooker said before he moved that nobody
knows his plans but God and himself. It seems from the way they got whipped
that the almighty revealed his plans to Genl Lee. Well enough about the fight
for now. We are back at our old winter quarters again but the wrost used up set
of men I have ever seen. Everybody has some yank plunder. I got several little
things, one is a good pair of shears. I want to send them to Ma if I can. This
is yankee paper I am writing on. We marched sixteen miles Wednesday evening
after two O'Clock through heavy rain to get back to camp so you can imagine
that we are very tired. And Elijah has got home at last. I am glad of it and
know you are. I am too tired to write anymore now. Give my love to everyone and
tell them when they start to war to stay home. I received a letter from Pa the
other day while in the line of battle.
Write soon
Your Brother Jim
James Zachariah Branscomb was killed on May 19th 1864 while fighting in the Spotsylvania
Court house area of Harris Farm, his brother Lewis was killed by a sniper in
the Harpers Ferry Virginia area, William another brother had died in 1862 in a
hospital in Richmond. My GG Grandfather John W. Branscomb survived the war and
died in Union Springs Alabama in 1886. Their brother Elijah who had not been
able to join with them due to health problems was conscripted in 1862, however
he did not ever see any combat as he was discharged shortly after his
conscription because of the ill health. He died in 1871 at the age of 35.
Lucinda Caroline Hunter Branscomb Obituary
Contributed by Zack McIlroy
