3rd Georgia Infantry Letter Blodgett's-Milledge's GA Light Artillery

3rd Georgia Infantry Letter Blodgett's-Milledge's GA Light Artillery - Inventory Number:  DOC 363

"I am getting very tired of a soldier's life. I wish the war would end so that we could all be once more free. It don't look here it is any nearer the end now than it was a year ago."

At Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the battery was part of Pendelton’s Reserve Artillery. At Gettysburg, the battery arrived on the field too late to participated in the first days fight. On day 2, they took a position on Seminary Ridge a quarter mile north of the Chambersburg Pike, later moved to the rear of the Pennsylvania College, and at night returned to Seminary Ridge. On day 3 they fired from 20 to 25 rounds from the extreme left of the Confederate line in the afternoon.

At Cold Harbor, the battery was attached to Jubal Early's Second Corps. Later the battery fought with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and around Appomattox.

Henry enlisted as a private on 3 June 1861 at Augusta, Georgia. He was wounded in the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, hospitalized, but returned to duty in July or August. He was then taken prisoner in the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia, on 2 March 1865—the last battle for Jubal Early's troops who were totally destroyed by Phil Sheridan's army. Henry was sent to the prison at Fort Delaware where he remained until his release on 16 June 1865.

"Camp near Chesterfield Station [Caroline County, Va.]

March 8, 1863

Dear Mother and Father,

Yours of the last came safe to hand which afforded me a great deal of pleasure in hearing from you all and hearing you were all well. This leaves me in good health and live in hopes it will find you all the same.

Dear Father, I wish you would come up to see me as I am anxious to see you as any of the family. If you come, you must come to Hewlett Station instead of Noel's [on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad] as it is nearer our camps and we are over there every day or two after corn. If you will let me know, I will come over after you. If you cannot come, let George come up. It is impossible for me to get off to come [home]. I am anxious to see

We are still in winter quarters but I don't think we will be there long. I cannot say which way we will go from here. I am getting very tired of a soldier's life. I wish the war would end so that we could all be once more free. It don't look here it is any nearer the end now than it was a year ago.

When you write to sister, give her my love and let me know if she is still in Richmond. Try and come up as soon as possible. Give sister and George my love. Write soon as you get this and let me know if you can come up. Give my respects to all of my enquiring friends.                                                                                            

Nothing more but remain your affectionate son, - A. H. Branch”

Co. I, 3rd Georgia Infantry.

This Confederate Civil War letter was written by Albert ("Al") Henry Branch (1834-Befl896) of Co. I, 3rd Georgia Infantry. This company was detached from the regiment and became Blodgett's Battery Georgia Light Artillery (or Co. C, 2d Battalion Georgia Light Artillery) on 5 August 1861. Following Blodgett's resignation in May 1862, John Milledge, Jr. was elected captain and it became known as Milledge's Battery Georgia Light Artillery. The company was sent to Virginia and assigned to C. Richardson's and W. Nelson's Battalion of Artillery. It served in the Richmond area until September, 1862. During the Maryland Campaign, this battery was one in the artillery battalions of Brown and Nelson who were guarding the Potomac fords near Williamsport and Shepherdstown on the Campaign. They were on the Virginia side of the river about a mile below Shepherdstown, and were not engaged in the fight at Sharpsburg.

At Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the battery was part of Pendleton's Reserve Artillery. At Gettysburg, the battery arrived on the field too late to participated in the first days fight. On day 2, they took a position on Seminary Ridge a quarter mile north of the Chambersburg Pike, later moved to the rear of the Pennsylvania College, and at night returned to Seminary Ridge. On day 3 they fired from 20 to 25 rounds from the extreme left of the Confederate line in the afternoon.

At Cold Harbor, the battery was attached to Jubal Early's Second Corps. Later the battery fought with Early in the Shenandoah Valley and around Appomattox.

Henry enlisted as a private on 3 June 1861 at Augusta, Georgia. He was wounded in the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, hospitalized, but returned to duty in July or August. He was then taken prisoner in the Battle of Waynesboro, Virginia, on 2 March 1865—the last battle for Jubal Early's troops who were totally destroyed by Phil Sheridan's army. Henry was sent to the prison at Fort Delaware where he remained until his release on 16 June 1865.

In 1869, Henry was married to Tallulah Beal in Burke County, Georgia. He was enumerated as a carpenter in Waynesboro, Georgia in the 1880 US Census. At the time, Henry and Tallulah had four children ranging from 10 months old to 9 years. By 1896, Henry had died; his widow was residing in Savannah, Georgia.

Comes housed in riker display case with velvet and descriptive card.

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Inventory Number:  DOC 363