by Bruce Whitaker

Stephen Whitaker was born in Buncombe County, NC, on March 1, 1812. He was the son of James Whitaker (1779-1871) and Mary Walker (1779-1849). He and his father lived in Andrews, Cherokee County, NC, during the Civil War. Stephen was 47 when he entered the army. The following is a letter he sent home to his father during his service.

(All wording, spelling and punctuation have been left as in the original.)

Charlottesville

August 5th 1864

[To] James Whitaker

Dear Father

I write you a few lines though I am in a poor fix to write. I took sick some 2 weeks ago. First a severe cold and then dysentery. I stayed with the army till I got so weak that I could hardly walk. I left the army near Winchester. I was sent to Mount Jackson Hospital. From there I was sent to Stanton and then to this place. I came here on the 1st of this month and am on the mend but very weak yet.

Mac Whitaker was sent to Mr. Jackson the day before I was and then to Stanton and to this place. He was then sent to Lynchburg. I have not heard from him since he left here. I expected to go there, but the doctor said I better stay here and be quiet for awhile.

Mac had fever, was better when he left here. There is very many sick and wounded – only 2 of my acquaintances. I am sick among strangers but not without friends. This is a good hospital – every attention paid to sick.

I will try to give you a short sketch of our march to Maryland, tho I can’t give dates as I have no memorandum with me. We left Saltville to meet Hunter in the Valley of Virginia, went to Stanton on the cars then marched 15 miles to meet Hunter on North River, delayed and got behind us. We then fell back over Stanton, took another road and come up with the Yankey army in line of battle. Gen. Jones thought proper to fight them here which we did, repulsed them twice. In front of where I was they was retreating the 3rd time when we was flanked on our right The 60 Va. Regiment fled without firing again. This lost us the victory. This was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. We lost 800 or a 1000 killed, wounded [page torn] was commanding our Brigade, 2 lost 1 killed, 2 taken prisoners out of my small company. It was a miracle any of us escaped. We fought at least 5 to 1 and saved all our wagons, cannons, ammunition. After this battle we had a race with Hunter to Lynchburg, beat him there, whipped him and run him past clear out of the country. We then marched to Stanton, there to Winchester then to Marthasburg and here we whipped the Yankees, captured 100,000 bushels of corn and as many oats. We then burned an extensive bridge on the Harpers ferry with a large amount of stores then charged the Yankees on Maryland Heights, ran them into their fort, caused them to burn their stores.

We then went to Frederick City, had a severe fight there, whipped the Yankees, killing a great many and chasing the balance to the four winds. They threw down their arms and fled toward Baltimore. This left nothing in the way to the city. We went there, drove the Yankees from there We all expected the next day to take the city which all thought we could have done, but after laying on our arms all day, we was marched off late in the evening and back to the then back to win Chester. I left the army near Chester last Saturday week. They had a fight, drove the Yankees 10 miles, took 2,000 prisoners. I understand Thomas Legion is to take the prisoners to the South, tho I don’t know that it is so.

Father, this has been the longest march of the war and was performed without rest. It has killed very many good soldiers, one of my Co. Wm. Henry, he sunk down with fatigue between Sitbur and Stanton and soon died. I saw many a soldier boy give out and fall down on the road side. This was common all the way. I do not know how I stood it through. I had to stop and wash the blood out of my socks more than once on the march. Tho I do not grumble, I am very thankful that I was able to stand it as well as I did.

I am especially thankful to my God that I have been saved through it. So many dangers and that I am as well as I am.

You will want to know how I came out of that difficulty with General Jackson. Well, after he was relieved from command over us and ordered to report to Gen. Bragg, Gen. Breckenridge ordered a court to try me which they did at Lynchburg while the army was there. They cleared me and justified me in every position, placed me back where I was with my original pay. I have since been commanding Walkers Battalion through this campaign.

I give you the name of this hospital so that you can write me if you choose. Though I do not know that I will stay here till I get a letter or not.

I am at Delever Hospital, Ward D. I have not heard a word from home since Wm Henry came back. I want to hear very much. I must close this long letter. I am treated well here.

Your affectionate son

S Whitaker

P.S. I forgot to tell you that I saw Lafayett Morere [or Marner] near Winchester. He is in Gordon’s Division – had been sick at Lynchburg, joined his command 2 or 3 days before I left. His company lost 63 men in this campaign.

Local historian Bruce Whitaker documents genealogy in the Fairview area. He can be reached at 628-1089 or brucewhitaker@ bellsouth.net