Posts

1865

Dear Carter, I regret to inform you that I have surrendered myself and the army of Northern Virginia to Union general Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House.   First we lost Richmond and burned it to the ground upon our retreat.   Then I lost six thousand men to Grant at Saylor's  Creek ,  and got trapped at the Appomattox Court House with no supplies tired troops and low morale, with no hope of resupply.    I had no choice but to surrender, Grant gave us rations, let us keep our personal property, and paroled everyone under an oath to never take up arms against the union .  I for one hope the reconstruction efforts go well and I for one shall help it on its way. Your Brother, Robert

1864

Dear Carter,    I have received word of Sherman's March to the South.   I was devastated, Atlanta was one of our only manufacturing cities .  And Sherman's march devastated our defenses in Charleston and ripped through our food production and crushed the spirits of the south.   But it has angered the southern men and more want to join the fight.   As always take care of Mary and good luck on your business since the manufacturing plants are down. Your brother, Robert

1863

Dear Carter     My second offensive into the north has failed at Gettysburg.    My goal was a victory in the north to stoke the fires of the peace movements.   I moved seventy-five thousand troops to south central Pennsylvania.    The fighting started in the cornfield near the Dunker church, we were pushed back and at the end of the day the union held the high ground.   Then we fought for the round tops with the goal of flanking the union forces this failed and we retreated back to our positions. The final day I went all in and sent my forces to charge the center, they were destroyed and we retreated back.  We will not invade the north for the rest of the war.   Wish me luck defending the south. Your brother,  Robert

1862

Dear Carter,    I have suffered a terrible defeat at Sharpsburg.  It has stopped my invasion of the north and squandered any opportunity we had to gain foreign support.   I was pushing into Maryland and wreaking havoc but McClellan found my battle plans wrapped around a cigar box and moved to intercept me.  I took up a defensive position at Sharpsburg which was dangerous because it had only one escape route.  It was the single bloodiest day due to McClellan's inability to follow up on his attacks and use his full army, and we were able to escape back across the Potomac.    As always, take care of Mary and good luck. Your Brother, Robert

1861

Dear Carter,   I am currently a military adviser to president Jefferson Davis.   I have just received word on our victory at Manassas.    Thomas Jackson held the middle with his Virginia boys like a stone wall. And when those greenhorn Federals met just a little resistance they turned tail and ran .    It ended in a rout with the leading southern general Beauregard emerging victorious.      I also learned that the north has appointed a new general in chief,  McClellan.   Take care of Mary for me while I am away, it looks like it will be a long war. Your Brother, Robert

Enlistment Blog

Dear Carter, I have just received  an invitation  from president Abraham   Lincoln  to lead the union forces against the seceding  southern states.    But my commitment to my home state of Virginia supersedes  any obligation I have to the army or the president. So I have declined Lincoln's invitation  in favor of one from president Jefferson   Davis, to lead his army against the north .    I have been given the rank of full general of the confederate army,  so I am off to war.  Please take care of Mary for me as she is very sick , and good luck on your business endeavors . Your Brother, Robert