Camp Near Waynesboro VASept 30 1864
My Dear Mother:
I write to let you know that I am still in the land of the living, since I wrote to you I have passed through several narrow places and have witnessed scenes that I hope will never be called upon to witness again. Our Army has been defeated twice latily once at Winchester where we lost our [one?] Maj Gen and once at Strasburg or Fishers Hill. I was wounded at Winchester the ball struck my watch, which happened to be in the watch-pocket of my pantaloons [?] the watch was very badly broken, but saved my life I did not leave the field. Shortly after I was wounded the Yankee cavalry overtook and compelled me to surrender to them. They were forced to retire in consequence of our own artillery fire and I found a way to get back within our lines. Gen Rodes was killed at Winchester in the early part of the engagement the ball passed through his head he never spoke but died without a struggle. The death of Gen Rodes has cast a gloom over the whole of this Army he had few equals as a military man, in him I lose a friend whose confidence I had won by hard fighting and unremitting [?] wit [?]. Gen Ramseur is in command of the Division I am still in command of the Sharpshooters of this Division. I think of taking command of my Regt before long. I have heard nothing yet from [illegible] Col Barber would probably have an opportunity of this wrong. I asked for [illegible] I could get in [illegible].
We are resting today near Waynesboro twelve miles east of Staunton the Yankees have destroyed the rail road from Staunton to this place. It is reported [?] that Gen Longstreet took command of the Army of the Valley District this morning.
Tell Ellen I will answer her letter before long wish very much I had been at home to have enjoyed the nice thing and the [illegible]…
Hoping to hear from you now I am
Very affectionately
Your Son
H A Brown
Source: James B. Gordon Papers; North Carolina State Archives
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