Shared by Jim Godburn, as Guest Blogger.

Jim Godburn, park interpreter at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park, portrays a Union surgeon at the Overton-Hillsman House that was used as a Union field hospital during the battle on April 6, 1865. Recently he put pen to paper to write a letter home describing what he experienced at Sailor’s Creek.

Jim Godburn portrays a surgeon at the park's Overton-Hillsman Farm House Museum

6 April, 1865

Amelia County, Virginia

My darling wife,

I have but a minute to take pen and paper in hand and write to you regarding the events of the day. We have been pursuing the Rebs from the vicinity of Amelia Court House where they attempted to re-supply before mounting their march toward Danville.  Our cavalry arrived yesterday at a small railroad siding at Jetersville and arrested the Rebs progress toward Danville.  Lee turned his army to the west, perhaps to make for Farmville and our cavalry and infantry overtook a large part of his force this afternoon.

Late in the day, there was fighting in earnest along the banks of a small stream here called Sailor's Creek.  We were ordered to set up a field hospital at a modest home near the creek owned by a local family by the name of Hillsman.  As our artillery shelled the Rebs on the opposite hillside, all was busy as the necessary preparations were made to receive the wounded.  There were, in fact, some wounded Rebs already present at the home, being left here by their comrades.  As our boys crossed the creek and began to assail the Reb position, wagons arrived and were unloaded, operating tables were set up along with whatever shelter that canvas could afford the poor unfortunates caught in the teeth of the fighting.  The aftermath of it all is a horrible sight to behold.

 In the yard of this house are gathered dozens of wounded men; in the fields beyond lie dozens more as well as their comrades, strewn like leaves, who no longer feel the pain of their earthly burden. It is the child like faces that I will never forget; the flesh of their young bodies rent by shot and shell, their otherwise boyish countenances contorted in torturous agony.  We do what we can to be of some comfort, some relief, administering chloroform before the gruesome task of surgery; a task that all too often leaves the patient with one fewer limb.  Opium relieves the pain in the aftermath but nothing provides solace to the man who has lost a limb or to the one whose life, despite our best efforts, slowly ebbs from him.

 My prayer is that now, at long last, Lee will understand the futility of further resistance and do the honorable thing by surrendering.  His men leave the army by the hundreds.  Sick, wounded and exhausted Rebs talk a spirited game and many are still full of bluster, but their bravado is paper thin.  There is a desperation behind their eyes and a sense of anguish in knowing in their hearts that the game is up.  Our boys have a sense of anticipation that, if they press hard enough, their foe will be vanquished; their fight will be over.  Dear God, make it so.

 Please shower our children with hugs and kisses.  Let them know that their Father is safe and that, God willing, he will return home soon.

Your loving husband,

 David

The Overton-Hillsman House was used as a field hospital where both Union and Confederate soldiers were treated during the battle at Sailor's Creek

Living history encampment depicts a soldier's life during the American Civil War

The Overton-Hillsman Farm House Museum is open to the public for tours April through October, Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Beginning in May, lasting through October, and taking place on the third Saturday and Sunday of each month, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park will host a Civil War encampment program from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  This program will discuss basic soldier life in encampments on the march.  For more information, click here or contact the park’s visitor center at 804-561-7510 or by email.

The park is located at 6541 Saylers Creek Road, Rice, Va. Drive Time: Northern Virginia, three to three and a half hours; Richmond, one to one and a half hours; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, two and a half to three hours; Roanoke, two hours. For directions, click here.

We hope you will make Sailor's Creek Battlefield State Park part of your Civil War driving tour, click here to learn more about Virginia's Civil War Trails

Shared by Jim Godburn park interpreter at Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park