Item No. 2925506

David F. Kagey had about four months on the job as hospital steward for the 25th Virginia Infantry when he wrote this letter from Charles Town, West Virginia, over four days from August 23-26, 1864. His friend Abraham Miller was the regimental surgeon and had helped get Kagey the appointment back in April (he had attended medical school at the University of Virginia in the fall of 1863). Kagey had previously served in the Danville Light Artillery, and between the two units participated in most of the major battles up to that point. As he wrote this letter, Kagey’s regiment, along with the rest of General Jubal Early’s Confederate army, was “In Line of Battle near Charlestown,” awaiting an attack from Union General Philip H. Sheridan’s army, which was expected to approach “up on the Harpers Ferry road.” Kagey described how he and the 37th Virginia’s Colonel Titus Williams had caught up with their commands near Smithfield (known as Middleway today). Part of the army “was skirmishing with the enemy,” he wrote, but his division, General John B. Gordon’s, “was not engaged.” The next day the troops “marched upon the Yankees, who were strongly fortified near here. They did not make a stand but left in some haste for Harpers Ferry.”

Kagey then described his and Colonel Williams’s visit to the home of a Mr. Childs, where marauding Union troops had ransacked the property, behavior that became so characteristic of the 1864 Shenandoah Valley Campaign:

The Yankees injured him smartly. Searched his house, took many things out of the house, took all their knives & fabric, spoons &c. All this hay, horses, & many other things. His neighbors were similarly treated, many of them worse. They burned quite a number of barns, wheat stacks, &c. between Middletown & Winchester. Dr. Miller suffered some loss also on his farm.

Returning to military matters, Kagey was “doubtful about our having a fight with the Yankees today or even tomorrow, as they do not seem anxious to fight.” He added that he thought he “would see them pitch into the Yankees.” The letter continued on August 24, with Kagey reporting:

Our Brigade was called out again last night. The Yankees did not come closer than a mile of our line. Probably will advance today. You need not be surprised to hear of the Army falling back soon to “Fishers Hill.” We will fall back or advance into the enemy’s country as they have taken & destroyed much of the supply in this portion of the Valley.

Remarking that the package sent from home had arrived (“bread & pies a little molded, not injured much”), Kagey also mentioned delivering a package to a friend, Thomas Griffin Read of the 33rd Virginia (another regiment in Terry’s consolidated brigade).

Perhaps the most interesting part of the letter was written on August 26, as Kagey described what happened as General Early attempted to make another raid toward Maryland:

I haven’t had an opportunity to send this yet. We [had] slight skirmishing on Wednesday. Yesterday we left the enemy below Charlestown & came on in this direction, when within 5 miles of Sheperdstown we met a very heavy Cavalry & Artillery form[ation] of the enemy. We had a small engagement, but the Yanks soon run. The 25th had 2 men wounded in that fight. A few hours later we encountered the enemy again just where we are now encamped. The fight was a spirited one for a short while, but they ran again. Dr Henkel, Dr. Miller, & I had some curiosity to see the fight & stampede, but our curiosity was soon gratified. The Yanks commenced pouring Canister & Shell among us. I came very near being struck with both Shell & Canister. I have resolved hereafter not to go where duty does not call me, & I think Dr. H. & M. will do likewise. They are both here & well. In the fight last evening, Terry’s Brigade had 6 killed & 23 wounded. We sent all the wounded to Winchester this morning.

The letter was written 2 pages of a sheet of lined paper measuring about 8” x 9 1/2”. It is in excellent condition with light foxing and toning. Creased at the original mailing folds. The original postal cover is included. It has a Jefferson Davis 10-cent stamp affixed to it. The full transcript follows:

In Line of Battle Near Charlestown, Jefferson [County] Va
Tuesday Afternoon Aug. 23rd 1864

Dear Girls
We have just been aroused from camp by a report of the advance of the enemy & are now in Line of Battle awaiting their arrival. They are reported to be coming up on the Harpers Ferry road. We are 8 miles from H.F. & 1/2 mile from Charlestown. We went into camp near here yesterday about 11 O.C. a.m.  Col. Williams & I caught up with our commands Sunday night about 9 O.C. near Smithfield in this county, 6 miles nearer Winchester than this place. We found our mess seated around a Big mess roasting ears. A portion of our Army was skirmishing with the enemy. Gordon’s Division was not engaged. We left that encampment early yesterday morning and marched upon the Yankees, who were strongly fortified near here. They did not make a stand but left in some haste for Harpers Ferry.

Col. Williams & myself had a tolerable pleasant ride on Saturday. It being cloudy & drizzling rain most of the day, we stayed all night 2 1/2 miles west of Newtown at a Mr. Childs. Fared well, although the Yankees injured him smartly. Searched his house, took many things out of the house, took all their knives & fabric, spoons &c. All this hay, horses, & many other things. His neighbors were similarly treated, many of them worse. They burned quite a number of barns, wheat stacks, &c. between Middletown & Winchester. Dr. Miller suffered some loss also on his farm. We stopped a few minutes at Ms. Maggie Miller’s in Winchester on Sunday. Box had arrived, but none of our wagons or ambulances about. Had to leave it till yesterday. We sent an ambulance with sick & I hope will receive it today.

I think it doubtful about our having a fight with the Yankees today or even tomorrow, as they do not seem anxious to fight. I have no idea where we will go from here. Perhaps across the river & perhaps “Jubal” will go back to his “den” at “Fishers Hill.”

I thought I would see them pitch into the Yankees.

Evening. I have just returned to our camp of last night. The Brigade will be back again. The ambulance with Box & Bag just arrived & examined. Bread & pies a little molded, not injured much. The other articles all sound. Glad to receive them. We are eating the pies. 

Wednesday morning.

Our Brigade was called out again last night. The Yankees did not come closer than a mile of our line. Probably will advance today. You need not be surprised to hear of the Army falling back soon to “Fishers Hill.” We will fall back or advance into the enemy’s country as they have taken & destroyed much of the supply in this portion of the Valley.

Saw Griffin Read last night. Gave him a package. He is quite well. Dr. Henkel & Dr. Miller both here & quite well.

We had a hard rain Monday. Cloudy now & threatening rain. Corn is looking well in this country. This is one of the best counties in the state. “Marcus” is doing well.
My love to all.
Write soon & often.
Send papers.
Hastily but Affect. Your Bro.

P.S. Griffin Read well & safe.

Near Shepherdstown Friday August 26th, 1864

I haven’t had an opportunity to send this yet. We [had] slight skirmishing on Wednesday. Yesterday we left the enemy below Charlestown & came on in this direction, when within 5 miles of Sheperdstown we met a very heavy Cavalry & Artillery form[ation] of the enemy. We had a small engagement, but the Yanks soon run. The 25th had 2 men wounded in that fight. A few hours later we encountered the enemy again just where we are now encamped. The fight was a spirited one for a short while, but they ran again. Dr Henkel, Dr. Miller, & I had some curiosity to see the fight & stampede, but our curiosity was soon gratified. The Yanks commenced pouring Canister & Shell among us. I came very near being struck with both Shell & Canister. I have resolved hereafter not to go where duty does not call me, & I think Dr. H. & M. will do likewise. They are both here & well. In the fight last evening, Terry’s Brigade had 6 killed & 23 wounded. We sent all the wounded to Winchester this morning.

You may make me another grass linen shirt like the last. I like it very well. I have promised Dr. Henkel enough for a shirt off of it if there is enough left after I get mine. Write me how much it contains, also about my boots.
Dave