Letter From Dr. George B. Todd Dated September 3, 1862

Author: Dr. George Brainard Todd
Date: September 3, 1862
Location: Hall's Hill near Upton's Hill, Va.
Addressee: His wife, Elise M. Todd
Names Mentioned: Dewitt Perine, Pettit's Battery, Centreville, Harrison's Landing, Dr. Taylor, Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. Mead
Letter Summary: Dr. Todd writes that he is tired, hungry, dirty, etc. He's considering leaving the Union Army and asks his wife for her thoughts on the subject.
Credit: Our Todd cousin, the late Robt. A. "Sandy" Goll shared this letter with us. He too was a 2nd great grandchild of Dr. Todd and Elizabeth.

Below you'll see a transcription of the letter with a small graphic of the page that links to the full sized scanned image. Where the writing seems illegible, you'll see a line in the word or letter's place. If there's a little doubt about a word, phrase or letter you'll see it italicized.

Hall's Hill near our old Camp on Upton's Hill Va

Washington D. C. Sept 3^rd 1862

My dear wife

Here I as sure as your born, safe and nearly sane, tired, hungry, dirty and ragged. But you may bet high it seems like home to be so near like home I have heard today that we have probably finished our hard outdoor sogering. (I believe this word is supposed to be soldiering. It’s used again on the third page of the letter where he expresses that soldiering is not his forte’.) Anyhow I hope so. We started from Centreville on Monday night about 12, marched all night and next day, passing Fairfax, about noon. On the road I found Pettit's Battery and saw Dewitt Perine (also at Centreville). He is well and looks healthy. We passed the rebs in safety and moved here today about noon. We are not yet in permanent camp but hope to be so soon. The battle on Saturday all agree in saying was the most severe we have had past? and I did the work for our regiment alone. I tell you wife I have got most enough of this kind of life but if we go into some fort I will stay my time out. I have not heard one word from home yet, but we expect to get our mail tomorrow. How have you been, all of you. Has mother got home yet. Tell Mrs M'Allen & Thompson & Mrs. Mead that those men are all well.

Thursday 4th. Well we have had one still_ night but I fear our hopes of remaining so for any length of time are false. I have some idea of giving my place to some one else as I do not think that soldiering(?) is my forte [Dr. Todd underlines both words]. Your advice in the matter shall be decisive. I don't believe I could even endure another such term, as we have had since we left Harrison's landing. I suppose the only way I can get out will be to have my name dropped from the roll but I don't much care. Write as soon as you receive this and give me your advice.

I guess I am about as thin as when I arrived home. As soon as we know what we are going to do I will write again.

Tell Drs Taylor & L_____ I have had no time to write them yet and will do so as early as I can. Kiss my dear boys and give my love to Henry, father, mother and believe me as ever your affectionate husband.

Geo B Todd

In order to get a good picture of what Dr. Todd had been facing before writing this letter, I quote below from a report provided by Maj. Gen'l. Pop to other generals on the Confederate side.

"FAIRFAX COURT-HOUSE, September 2, 1862—7.30 a.m. (Received 8.20 a.m.) - Major-General HALLECK: We had another pretty severe fight last night. The enemy [Union Army] massed his force to turn our position by breaking through at Fairfax, but so far without success. The straggling is awful in the regiments from the Peninsula. Unless something can be done to restore tone to this army it will melt away before you know it. You had best at once decide what is to be done. The enemy is in very heavy force and must be stopped in some way. These forces under my command are not able to do so in the open field, and if again checked I fear the force will be useless afterwards. The enemy from the beginning has been throwing his rear toward the north, and every movement shows that he means to make trouble in Maryland. Wherever I have attacked him he is in greatly superior force. I would attack to-day, but the troops are absolutely unable. JNO. POPE, Major-General, Commanding.