Thomas J. Goree to Sarah W. Goree, May 28, 1862 [Goree Family Papers MSS. - LS.] Head Quarters 2d Corps [MS illegible] Camp Near Richmond May 28th 1862 My dearest Mother, For two weeks I have had a letter in my pocket ready to send you by the first op- portunity but having met with none I have con- cluded to day to write you a few lines more and send with it. I am just in receipt of your letter brought by Capt Cleveland, received just two months after it was written, but I assure you it was read with as much pleasure as if it had been written two weeks since. The letter enclosed with this was written when we were beyond the Chickahomony [sic]. We waited there for a week for an attack from McClelland, but he showed no dispo- sition to meet us. On account of the James River being open to the Enemys gun boats, we had to fall back to the front of Richmond, where we now are in daily expectation of the grand battle. Skirmishes are of daily occurrence, but they do not amount to much. Yesterday there was quite a severe fight above here, in which Genl Branch's command from North Carolina was engaged on our side. What the result of it was I have not yet been able to learn. Genl Branch was on his way down from the direction of Fredericksburg to join us here, and I suppose he was intercepted in his march by the Enemy. We have quite cheering news from the Valley of Virginia. Genl Jackson it seems has been doing good work there and there is a good reason to believe that he may soon cross over into Maryland. The great fight has soon to come off here and as it has to come, I hope that it will not be much longer delayed. As soon as Genl J. R. Anderson's & Genl Branch's commands from the direction of Fredericksburg reach here, we will be as well prepared as we can expect to be. These commands will number together 12 or 14,000 men. Genl A P Hill (of whom I mention in my other letter as commanding Genl Longstreets old Brigade at Williamsburg) has just been appointed Major General to take com- mand of this Fredericksburg force. As soon as this force reaches us, I think we will not wait much longer for the Enemy to attack us. I saw Langston & Ed both a few days ago. Ed returned to camp some four or five days since. He is very well with the exception of a bad cold, which we all have. Ed was very much distressed that he missed being in the little fight the Texans had on the way up here. He blames Lang for getting sick & causing him to be absent. Ed says he was so well fixed in Richmond that he would not have come away had he not been afraid of missing another fight. Lang is still in Richmond, very comfortably situated indeed. He is looking much better that he was before he was sick. He would have returned before this to camp but having taken fresh cold the Dr thought it best for him to stay a while longer. I was glad to find him at such a good place. The people with whom he is staying could not be kinder to him than they are. He is with a good Baptist family. The physician who took charge of him when he went to Richmond, is boarding at the same place with his wife. They are both very kind to him. Lang & Ed both seem to be pets with them all. They have kindly invited both of them if they get sick sick[sic] again or wounded to come back to their house and they would nurse and take care of them. One of the ladies boarding there told Lang to write you that you deserved a great deal of credit for raising two such boys as he & Ed. Lang told her that you had been told so before, but she said you had never been told so by a Virginia lady. I was very sorry to hear of the death of poor Young Sam Houston. I expect it will almost kill his poor parents. Mart Royston wrote to his brother Young Royston, that the last time he was seen, he had been shot through the thigh, and was still shooting at the Enemy. He was a brave boy. Young Royston is Lt Col of Col Jno A Winston's Regiment which is in Genl Longstreets Divivsion. Col Winston & he are both fine officers. I received the socks by Capt Cleveland, for which I am very much obliged. The General returns you many thanks for the pair sent him. If you have an opportunity of sending to Houston Mother, I would like that you would send down and get my things there. They will be much safer at home than there. Please give my best love to all, & write every chance you have. I am your Aff Son Thos J Goree
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