My Dear Cousin Bennie,

Winter has settled in and the inactivity in the field has caused me to look back at the events of this year past. It seems ages since we fought through the streets of Fredericksburg and defended the wall of Marie’s Heights turning back wave upon wave of Union attacks. Never had I seen such carnage or experienced the ferocity of fighting as I saw that day.

May found us routing Lincoln’s Army near the crossroads of Chancellorsville, and honoring our fallen in a candlelighting sunset memorial service.

Summer found us in action near Gettysburg, battling both Mother Nature and an unseen enemy upon the slopes of Culp’s Hill.

Many a Georgian joined the fallen on the third day at Gettysburg. We began our march across the field that day knowing the road to home, and the end of the war, was just beyond the stone wall one mile in our front. Only a few made it to the wall that day, and the journey back to our camp proved as difficult as any charge we made those three days in Pennsylvania.

The Shenandoah Valley has been no stranger to us and became our home in October, familiar ground to many of the 44^th. It seems that we spend each fall chasing the Yankees down the valley. It remains one of my favorite places on this earth.

Promotions of Lieutenant Mallette and Corporal Ringel were met the approval of the troop and Captain VanBuskirk proved up to the challenge as Officer of the Day for the 5^th Regiment.

All told the 44^th was active in the field on many occasions, and I am reminded how we live as a family, eating, sleeping, worshipping and learning life’s lessons together just as our own families do at home.

The sacrifices of the boys, men, and ladies are many. The strain upon wives and children faced with the absence of their loved ones is not to be dismissed lightly.

Since July the victories come less often than they have in the past, but morale remains high and the perseverance and the confidence of the 44^th is a tribute to their character.

Your Father expressed it best when he said he goes for fighting it out as long as we can raise 50,000 old men in the Confederacy and may God give us the victory if we are in the right.

God speed to you as I understand that you are determined to start for John’s Island near Charleston shortly with a box of clothes, eatables and home made molasses for your brother Fred and the soldiers of the 26^th Virginia.

Only the good Lord knows what lies ahead for us in the New Year. Let us all be mindful of our limitations and obligations and vow to be thankful for time spent together.

Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays and coming year. Do not hesitate to write as your letters are most welcome and constitute a therapy for the soul.

Your cousin James Marshall

Corporal, 44^th Georgia Volunteer Infantry, Company C