Thomas J. Goree to Pleasant W. Kittrell, December 26 1861
[Goree Family Papers MSS.]
Near Centreville, Va. Decr 26th 1861.
My dear Uncle,
As it has been some time since
I wrote you, I will try and write you a few lines
to day. I wrote Bob, on last Friday, and
whilst I was writing, there was a pretty con-
siderable battle going on at Drainsville
some fifteen miles from here, of which you
have doubtless heard. I am sorry to say
that we are defeated with a considerable
loss, say 50 killed and 150 wounded, &c.
notwithstanding our forces fought very gallantly
and retreated in good order. There was a
considerable quantity of forage about Drains-
ville, which Genl Stuart (who has command
of the outposts) thought it well enough to secure.
So on Friday morning last with four regiments
of infantry, (two of which (the 6th So Ca & 11th Va)
were from Genl Longstreets Division) a Squadron
of horse & Cutt's Battery 4 guns, numbering all
together not exceeding 2000 men, and a hundred
wagons, he started down after the hay &c.
When very near Drainsville, a large body of
the enemy (who it is supposed had come out
for the same purpose) was discovered. Gen Stuart
immediately ordered the wagons back, and
sent forward a Company as skirmishes, who
drove back the skirmishers of the Enemy, killing
five or six of them. The Enemy were drawn up
in the turnpike leading through Drainsville, and
the pike formed a kind of breastwork for them.
Our troops had to advance on the road leading
into the turnpike at a right angle. On each side
of this road was a dense pine thicket. Our troops
were formed: two regiments on each side of the
road, and in the front of the thicket. Our battery
or three pieces of it was placed in the road
about 200 yards from the turnpike. It was
a very unfavorable position for it, but there was
no other place to put it. The 1st Ky Reg. as it
was coming into position unfortunately fired
into the 6th So Ca Reg. killing 6 and wounding several.
The fight was opened by the Ky Regt. and in a few
minutes became general. The Enemy had the
advantage in position, as they also had in guns
The had two, about 4000 men engaged in the fight,
and a reserve of abo two Brigades- say 6000 men.
The battle lasted about two hours, and Genl Stuart
only gave the order to retreat, when our battery
was so disabled as to be in danger of capture.
Many of the battery horses were killed, and
Genl Stuart himself assisted to carry it off
by hand. The fight was quite a desperate one
A part of the time, the left of the our line
was in 40 or 50 yards of the Enemy's Right.
The firing ceased on both sides about the
same time, and some of our troops left the
field a half hour after the firing ceased.
I think the Yanks must have been pretty
nearly whipped themselves. Some few of our
wounded, and all the dead were left on the
field. The Enemy rifled their pockets and
took off their coats & shoes. The So Ca Reg
numbered only a little over 300 men, and it
sustained about one third the whole loss.
Although they had the fire of the Enemy in
front, and that of their friends for a while in
their rear, they did not waver for a moment.
Just as the Ala. Regt. got in position, it recd
a tremendous fire, which killed the Lt Col
J B Martin, and shot off the army of the
Col Forney. Although this somewhat scat-
tered the Reg. they rallied and fought very
well. Maj Woodward of the So Ca Reg was wounded.
The Yankees are said to have fought well, but
they could not be induced to come to close quarters.
Our men could very distinctly hear the orders
given by their (the Enemy's) officers, and three
times was the bugle sounded, and the order
to Charge! given, but they would not budge
and inch. Their officers would rave &
swear at them, and call them-- Cowards
but they would not charge.
From all appearances I fear that we will
have to winter here without any general
engagement. Much fear is apprehended
that unless something is done very soon. The
next Spring will find us here without an
Army. The large proportion of this army
is composed of 12 Mo's Regts. and the terms
of enlistment will expire in April & May,
the very time they will be most needed.
These men will probably most of them
reenlist, but not until they first go home.
It is thought by some, that McClelland is only
waiting for this. If some steps are not taken
soon, there will be a deplorable state
of affairs here in the Spring.
All the So Ca Regts are only in for 12 mos
as also the Va Regts. & many of the Ga
Ala & Miss Regts. This matter should be
looked to for the defeat of this Army will
almost ruin the Cause.
Much regret is felt here at the death
of Col Terry. He made a great many
friends the short time he was here.
He was one of the Natures Noblemen.
I have no other news of much interest
to write. I am expecting to start in a
[Remainder of letter is missing]
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