Letter from Augustus Hesse, Camp, 9th Mass. Battery, Centreville, Va., to Deborah Weston, May 3rd, 1863, Evening Seven o'clock, Marching early 4 o'clock
Letter from Augustus Hesse, Camp, 9th Mass. Battery, Centreville, Va., to Deborah Weston, May 3rd, 1863, Evening Seven o'clock, Marching early 4 o'clock
Holograph, signed.
Augustus Hesse was so pleased to read Deborah Weston's letter, "as if I had read the news of a Victory on to Richmond." They have moved "a little farder [sic] to the front---but it is not far enough for me---it is the front of the defense of Washington." Hesse tells of the arrival of generals: "Gen. Abercrombie, our Division Commandant arrived here a week ago from last Wednesday---He walks around here like an old Farmer. I do not know how he is in a Battle-field. I have not heard much about him. He is pretty old." Hesse tells of the journey from Upton Hill to Centreville: "I saw the house where Gen. Stoughton was taken." At Centreville, they were joined by the Keystone Battery, which was with them at Camp Chase. He describes the arrangement of the camp. The park has to be swept every day "so it is clean all the time and looks as nice as a Parlor, the grass is the Carpet---and indeed Mrs. Weston would be pleased to see our Park." Only a few houses are left in Centreville. A brigade band furnishes excellent music and makes Augustus Hesse's heart jump. Hesse says: "A glorious report has come here in Camp---that is that Joe Hooker is between the Rebel Lee and Richmond by golly that's good." Augustus Hesse hopes to receive a revolver through Deborah Weston. He comments: "Proud you may feel to send such a weapon to a friend who knows how to use it when he gets the chance."
