April 26, 1863

Corp. James Marsrhall

44^th Georgia V.I., Co. C

Dearest Cousin Jim,

I visited brother Fred at Camp Burton in Richmond and he was telling me about your actions against the Yankees this past weekend. He seems very disappointed that the 26^th Virginia is missing all of the action. He told me that he would much rather go up to the Great Army of Northern Virginia than march about in these parts. It is a sort of disgrace for him to belong to General Wise’s command, as they are being called “Wise’s Gardener’s , and the Fishbone Brigade as they seem to spend all of their time farming and fishing, drilling and building defenses. Next year when I am old enough to join the army I will certainly pass up the 26^th so as I can do my part just as you are.. I wish I was in the Service of my Country now. How badly I will feel after our independence is achieved to think that I did nothing to gain our liberty and persons pointing a sneering finger at me will say “that fellow did nothing to gain his independence and now he is enjoying it as much as I do, who have fought, bled & almost died for my country.”

When I left Fred for the walk home he was headed towards Williamsburg to guard Yankee prisoners and some stores that General Longstreet has captured near Suffolk.. I am glad that Richmond is just a half days ride from home at Green Mount. It allows me to visit him often enough and the pickets are getting used to seeing me.

Pa has just about given up on being an Army Doctor. His age doesn’t fit in the Army’s plans so’s he’ll stick with Doctorin’ in the County. He only charges people what they can afford to pay, which means that a lot of them are getting free services. He says “When this cruel and unjust war ends there lives not a man or woman who shall approach me and say with any show of truth whatever, you were the man to make money by the war, you were the man to refuse to feed the hungry soldiers or doctor his son or daughter who asked alms at your hands.” Not even if it takes the last cent he has on earth, he says he’ll let it go freely towards the support of those who are risking their life and all that is dear to them for liberty.

Me and Pa will have to be satisfied with being in the Home Guard for now. I’m getting pretty good with the rifle shooting squirrels, although Ma says it’s better that we take the horses and head for the woods if the Yanks come around rather than risk losing ‘em to the Yankees. Better to live and fight another day she says.

We drill a few days a week, a bunch of boys and old men. We’ve been practicing our footwork firing with our feet in a “T”. It’s awkwards at first, but Colonel says it’ll save our hearing and besides, when we have our feet that way it turns our thin side to the enemy and we’re smaller targets.

I’m enclosing a picture of me. I hope it makes it ‘s way to you. If you get a furlough Ma says stop by, Green Mount’s not too far from Fredericksburg.

Cordially,

Cousin Benjamin Robert Fleet

Green Mount, Va.