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Elizabeth Miller, letter

February 8, 1863

"February 8th, 1863

My dear Sister
I suppose you have received Dear Papa’s letter ere this, he told me he had written you a long
letter and on the reception of yours ^which was a day or two after mine^ he added after mine
sompthing more he remained at home during the battle and was eye witnefs to part of it and I
suppose he has given you a full description of, which he was better able to do than I, I had
determined to remain at home and go in the Seller, there were two of the Dr’s Darby & Tailor,
from Louisiana bourded with us during their stay, they came in when about to move their
wounded and prevailed upon us to leave I was standing at the window when a shell exploded in
Mr[s?] Russel’s house between the roof and ceiling sent the shingles flying every direction cut
several rafters in two and splintered others some pieces made holes in the chimeney and out at
the gable end, one piece went in the flore driving the end of a feather bolster in so tight they
could scarcely get it out, it was that, that unnerved me at the moment. I gave way and we left
going out the back way to Gerry Groves Town woods, with the shells flying over our
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heads and around us, we were in more danger than if we had staid at home but I, did not know
what to expect the Doctors seemed decided upon our leaving as we had no man about the
house and leave every^thing^ to the ^mercy of^ stranglers no doubt the Drs thought we would
be imposed upon by them if we staid, fortunately they did not get in the house, as they did many
others and take their clothing, bedding, and every thing eatable, as they did in my smoke house
and seller we went to Stephen Groves in an Ambulance from the woods passing through several
Regiments, poor men marching in to battle, I left the girls and nan there, took John Frank and
walked down to Frances found Mr. Peter Beeler and all his family there not many soldiers but
the next day, Wednesday, it was crowded with them going and coming. I heard many a Sad tale
from them as they returned from the battle field several told me they had stood while Gen
Burnside was reenforced four times, I thought it imposible but they was relieved and came over

to Francis direct from the lower bridge, it is supposed by many that there was 50 yankees to one
Rebble lost there that ^night^ I thought the ^whole^ town was on fire you may imagin my
feelings ^thinking of dear papa and all I left^ I did not expect to see anything but embers when I
returned ^the next day^ the shels were all from the yankies that made all this distruction
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and distress, but to my great relief there was but a few houses ^and stables^ burned, it was
distressing enough to those pore people when they returned from the cave to see their homes in
ashes, Mr & Mrs Shuford with their family Mrs Benton & family and pore Georgia were in
kiliansburg cave they said it was crowded with a variety of people of all classes. Mrs Shuford
told me she was afraid that Georgia would die there she was so much exasted, when they got
there she [got] here soon after the battle spent a few weeks in Hagerstown preparing to get
married then went to Baltimore and staid with her sister Harriet till she was wraped in her shroud
and brought here last munday to be laid in her last resting place on Tuesday...
... your fond Sister Elisabeth"