Soldier's Letter, Civil War, June 1863

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 1, 1863

Letter from James F. Fitts, 114th NY Infantry Regiment

St. James Hospital, New Orleans, La., June 18, 1863

Walter M. Coney, Esq., Mr. Dear sir:  This letter can hardly reach you in advance of the melancholy news from the 114th, which will carry sorrow to many homes in your district, and it will probably but repeat what you will already have learned from  other sources, that a bloody and ineffectual assault was made upon the enemy's works at Port Hudson, on the morning of Sunday, June 14th, in which the 114th suffered heavily--our mutual friend, Col. Smith, being seriously, probably fatally, wounded.

I Left Port Hudson on the morning of the 16th instant.  Col. Smith was then conscious, but suffering much pain.  A minie ball passed through the dorsal vertebra, and out at the side. The Surgeons then gave him some faint hope, but I hardly think his recovery possible.  I exchanged a few words with him.  He spoke painfully, and with difficulty, but said, "write to Conkey."  He also required Major Morse to write to his family.  His wound was inflicted while at the head of our Brigade, of which he was in charge.

I am unable to speak of him as I could wish, but you will feel the bereavement as deeply as myself.  He would, I am sure, desire you to break the sorrowful intelligence to his family (in case they have not already heard it) and to prepare them for the worst.  May God in his infinite mercy temper the affliction!  He is under the charge of Drs. Benedict and Wagner, and will receive all possible care.

Five companies of the 114th were engaged, B, F, D,E, & G., with the loss of eighty killed and wounded. Better or braver fighting was never seen, but the enemy's advantage in position could not be overcome.  Of forty-four men of my own company (F) who went into action with me, twenty-three were killed or wounded.  We penetrated into the very ditch in front of the Rebel Works, but were held in check by a murderous fire of ball and buckshot.  Trust me, you have ample cause to be proud of your Regiment.  We have received the praise of Gen. Weitzel, and of every officer who saw the charge.  The loss of the army in their assault, will reach fifteen hundred killed and wounded.

Dr. Wagner has forwarded a complete list of all our losses to Judge Clark of Oxford.

Few attempts are to be made, and Port Hudson must eventually fall, but northern blood must run like water.  I sorrow to say it, but our people at home would do well to prepare themselves for bad news.  "The nation's safeguard is the blood of her sons."

Sorrowfully yours,   Jas. F. Fitts