Roland K. Chatham, Co. "B", Terry's 8th Texas Cavalry Regiment.

Roland K. Chatham Letter - December 2, 1862

Part of Lot 274 Sold through Historical Collectible Auctions on May 6, 2004.

Autograph Letter Signed, "Roland C. Chatham" 2p. folio, December 2, 1862, Duck Hill, Mississippi, with graphic account of his being shot in the head with the bullet remaining under his brain, in part:

...until recently I have been in Middle Tenn. & Ky....to give an account of the Fall campaign would fill quires of paper. I was in quite a number of fights but never got worsted until the 1st day of Oct. when 90 of our Reg. being in fight for Louisville, Ky. We became engaged with 800 Yankee Cavalry. We charged them & routed them & drove them back two miles upon their infantry killing one Col. & 9 privates, wounding a number & took a few prisoners. Our loss was three wounded. I was shot with a pistol, when within 25 paces of their line. The ball entering the forehead & passing under the brain as I was leaning forward when I was shot and lodged in the back part of the head where it still remains. All surgeons coincide in saying that they never knew a wound of that nature that didn't kill instantly. Well it didn't kill me neither did it knock me off my horse, though I felt a little dizzy at one time, but of course I thought it was all over with me. So I reined up my horse & watched the Yankees until they disappeared with our boys at their heels when I rode back to the rear where the surgeon examined my wounds. Well to make a long story short I was sent to Bardstown in an ambulance. Two days afterwards the place was evacuated by our forces & I fell into the hands of the enemy. Well I remained at Bardstown until the 15th of Oct. when my wound getting neither better nor worse & being anxious to get into our lines again I went to Louisville where after remaining 11 days, we was all, to the number of over 600, sent down the river to Vicksburg to be exchanged. After much suffering & the death of near 100 of our number by neglect we arrived at Vicksburg on the 13th of Nov. where after much difficulty & a week delay I obtained a furlough & came up here. I was very anxious to go to Tex. but I was not able to stand the fatigue of the trip...Though I don't think my wound is any better it is running all the time & shows no signs of healing. I fear it will always be a running sore....The Ladies of Louisville gave me enough clothing to do me the winter. God Bless the women of Tenn. & Ky. I say...

http://www.terrystexasrangers.org/letters/chatham_rk/1862_12_02.htm

Dr. Hafendorfer describes Chatham's wound and prints a picture of the site on page 581 of his book.