Hdqrs 15 June 1863
I have just recd your letter of the 13th. I am grieved & shocked at the fate of orton.1 God grant it may not be true. Poor Markie I feel so for her I stated in a former letter that I had given orders for the man Mr Caskie wrote about to be sent to Richmond under guard on Sunday 7th Inst: & to be delivered to the sheriff of Richmond. The order was sent to Genl A P Hill to whose Command the man was to be sent nor do I know that he was present with his Compy. Possibly the crossing of the enemy thursday & friday & the expectation of a battle prevented. I repeat it was not done & have written to Know the reason. Charles Carter was slightly wounded in the thigh by a spent ball & was sent back Wednesday, the day after the battle. I presume he has gone to Petersburg where I am told his wife is.2 I send you a map of the battlefield of Chancellorsville. It was drawn by Capt Shiebert3 a Prussian office of Engin who has been spending some time with us & was present at the battle. It gives the position of the troops before the attack on Sunday. Its chief interest is a sketch of Genl Jackson & gives very much his air & appearance on horseback. I am glad to hear that Fitzhugh is doing well. With love to all, Truly & affy yours
RELee
1. Orton Williams, who was executed for spying a few days previously in Tennessee. He was the brother of Markie Williams. He is mentioned regularly in the Lee family correspondence.
2. Charles Carter (1827-1906) of the 3rd Virginia cavalry, who was wounded on June 9 at Brandy Station. A Native of Charles City County, he was the son of Hill Carter (1796-1875) and Mary Braxton Randolph Carter (1800-1864). He graduated from VMI in 1848 and was married in April of 1861 in Petersburg to Frances Page “Fannie” Nelson (1832-1905), a native of Virginia. Both Charles and his wife are buried in Westover Parish Church Cemetery in Charles City County.
3. Justus Scheibert (1831-1903), a Prussian who was sent to study the Civil War in America.
Source: Transcribed from photocopy of original letter, Lee Family Papers, Mss1 L 51 c 460, Section 22, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, Richmond
Transcribed by Colin Woodward, 2022 February 17
