Transcribed and Submitted by
Teri Button
Great Great Granddaughter of Charles Hennrich, Company D.
Alexandria, Louisiana
April 13, 1864
Dear Parents,
Just as the times often undergo change so something of a change has occurred for me and one such as is apt to befall a soldier, and yet it has all come out pretty good.
We had a battle at Pleasant Hill the 9th of April and it got pretty hot and a bullet wounded me in the arm and, of course, gave me a lot of pain. But the bone was not broken and I think it will not be long before it will be well again.
Many were wounded so badly that they will remain crippled for life and therefore one cannot but say that I have had luck in my misfortune in that I was not shot dead. Also many in our company are worse off than me and perhaps those who are today well may be shot tomorrow and it is just as well, if one is to be shot, if it happens quickly, for he is better off, as then it is quickly past, and he gets thereby at last enough forever.
Also, Fredrick Winch has been badly wounded in the shoulder and the company had 18 wounded and dead which they got in a charge on the rebels which cost many men on both sides.
I would write more but I think this is now enough for I am myself not able to write for it is the right arm which is wounded, just in front of the elbow through the fleshy part.
I do not know if you should write again because I do not receive the letters now. Still, you may, if you wish, write here to Alexandria and address it to, "Wounded in Hospital". Then it may be that I will get it before we leave here.
Fritz Bendgegerdes and Mollering are still contented.
Live happily until we meet again and I remain your truly loving son.
Carl Hennrich
Greet Fredrich Bendgegerdes from the writer of this letter and tell him that his schoolmate is also wounded and is now finding out how one feels when one is wounded.
Henry Kerksiech
NOTES:
Henry Kerksiech was a member of company C, 29th Illinois infantry. He was wounded in the left shoulder. After Charles was wounded the night of April 9th, he was saved from being left on the field by Anton Neubaurer of company D who helped him to the rear and got him loaded into an army wagon. Anton was originally from Germany, his residence is listed as McGregor. He was in Charles' Company from 1862-1865.
Fredrick Winch was left on the battlefield. He was captured and treated in a Confederate hospital. After some time in a Texas prisoner of war camp he was exchanged and finally discharged May, 1865,