Fought in General Armistead's Brigade during Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg where the regiment was badly cut to pieces!

Private Burwell was wounded in action at the battle of Drewery's Bluff, Virginia

4 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, written by Private Armistead Burwell, Co. E, 14th Virginia Infantry, to his brother.

Hermitage Camp of Instruction, Near Richmond, Va., May 21, 1861

Dear Brother,

I wrote to you yesterday, a week ago, but not having heard from you yet, I will write again as this is perhaps the best opportunity I shall for some time to come.

One not acquainted with the privations and hardships of that hardest of all lives, the soldier's, can have no adequate conception of the longing desire, the anxiety with which a missive from home is looked for, and the thrill of joy with which the reception animates the forlorn bosom of the poor soldier- banished as he is from the familiar and endeared scenes of the home of his childhood, a stranger amid strangers, & oft times with no place to lay his weary limbs but the broad and generous bosom of old mother Earth, and no covering save the illimitable expanse of the azure canopy of Heaven. Weary and worn with fatigue he sinks to rest upon his humble couch. Borne of the soft wings of Morpheus to the visionary land of dreams with lightning swiftness he speeds his way to the dear, the cherished, the alluring scenes of home, where once more around the happy fireside he is greeted by the smiling faces of dear and loved friends, but alas! The relentless roll of the inexorable drum arouses him from sweet slumber's pleasing illusions to stern reality, and he is again amid the toils, the bustle, and noise of camp life.

I was on guard from eight o'clock yesterday until ten o'clock this morning, and had to sleep what little I did sleep in the open air and on the naked ground, which wasn't like sleeping on a feather bed. The guard duty here is different from what it was in Clarksville; instead of standing two hours in twenty four, we have to stand every other two hours, which makes the duty much more onerous. We do everything here at the tap of the drum- get up in the morning at the tap of the drum- assemble for roll call at the tap of the drum- drill at the tap of the drum,- march down to breakfast at the tap of the drum- eat dinner at the tap of the drum- eat supper at the tap of the drum- put out lights and go to bed, if I may use the expression at the tap of the drum- etc., ad infinitum at the tap of the drum.

Troops are leaving here as fast as they can be drilled while their places are filled by the daily arrival of new companies. Since the news of the occupation of Alexandria by Lincoln's minions, military affairs have assumed increased activity, and we drill every day, Sunday not exempted. The 1st and 3rd regiments consisting of nearly 2,000 men left here Thursday last, and the 2nd leaves today. Our company has been transferred from the 5th to the 4th regiment being better drilled than most of the other companies belonging to the former, and we will very probably receive orders to march in a few days to the immediate scene of action. When we do go you may expect to hear from us in the immediate scene of action. When we do go you may expect to hear from us in the day of battle, and woe betide the Yankees that meet us. A dispatch reached here last night by telegraph that troops from Fortress Monroe had attacked Hampton, but were repulsed by the Virginians with a loss of 700 men while we only lost seven. How true it may be I am not prepared to say. The Townesville company with the regiment to which it belongs reached Richmond on Thursday last, and are encamped near the city. Cousin Wm. Townes came up to see us the next day. We have not been to their encampment yet as it is a good ways off, and we cannot get a furlough for a longer time then from 12 to 3 1/2 o'clock, and even this with difficulty. Cousin Robt. Sturdivant paid us a short visit Saturday on his way to Ashland. There is some probability of his being appointed Surgeon of out regiment.

I met with Mr. Mason in the capital last Friday and he seemed very glad to see us. (Chas. & self). He had recently returned from Texas where he has been living since he left us. As my paper is about to run out I will close with much love to all. Tell Lizzie to write to us, and write yourself as often as you can.

As ever, Your affectionate brother,
A. Burwell

Light age toning and wear with some scattered ink stains. Very neatly, and well written letter. The writer, Armistead Burwell, is highly educated as he writes very eloquently. Excellent content and one of the best written Confederate letters that I've had the pleasure to offer! Extremely desirable Virginia regiment!

Private Armistead Burwell, was a 21 year old farmer according to the Virginia records when he enlisted on May 12, 1861, only 15 days before penning this missive to his brother. He was wounded in action on May 16, 1864, at the battle of Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, and was paroled at Richmond, Virginia, on May 15, 1865.

The 14th Virginia Infantry served in the Divisions of Generals' McLaws, Anderson and Pickett, in the Department of the Peninsular, and the Army of Northern Virginia.

They saw action at Malvern Hill, Winchester, Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Port Republic, Gaines' Mill, 2nd Manassas, Crampton's Gap, Sharpsburg, Kelly's Ford, Gettysburg (48 killed, 114 wounded, 170 captured), Spotsylvania, Chester Station, Yellow Tavern, Drewry's Bluff (13 killed, 74 wounded), Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Five Forks (3 wounded, 149 captured), Farmville, Sailor's Creek and Appomattox, to name but a few of their battle honors. Their colonels were James G. Hodges and William White.