Description by Colonel Francis Marion Parker, Thirtieth Regiment North Carolina Troops, of the Battlefield at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863
Headquarters, Ramseur's Brigade
May 9, 1863
My Dear Wife,
I wrote you yesterday, but really felt like writing to you again. . . . I have never seen so great [a] slaughter as I saw on the field of Sunday. At the breastworks the enemy would be lying on one side and our men on the other; some dead, some dying, others badly wounded. I noticed the color bearer of one of our regiments lying cold, the top of his flag staff shot away, but the gallant fellow was grasping the part which was left with both hands. I called my own color bearer to witness the scene. Poor fellow, it was not long before he too was shot down, and has since had a leg amputated. A second man took the flag, he too was struck down, but not killed; the third one bore it safely through the remainder of the day but ran a narrow risk; he had a ball put through the top of his hat. I have never seen the men fight better, nor behave more nobly. I shall not be afraid for the future, to lead my men anywhere. . . . How thankful I feel that I was not struck. . . . Every day I live gives me additional cause for thankfulness for the great mercies which I receive at the hands of the Lord. That I may live, as to show my thankfulness, is my earnest prayer. . . .
