Correspondence of the Royal Potter Family

Near Belle Plains, Va.
January 17, 1863.

Mrs. R. L. Potter,

Dear Madam:

It becomes my painful duty to convey to you the melancholy tidings of the death of your husband, Corporal R. L. Potter of my company. News reached me this day through a paroled prisoner of war, that he died in Libby Prison, Richmond, Va. about the 8th of this month, of typhoid fever. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Fredericksburg, Dec. 13th and was immediately taken to Richmond with others who were captured with him.

Mr. Potter always showed himself a brave and gallant soldier, always ready to do his duty. He was held in high esteem by both officers and men of the Regiment.

This is a severe blow to you, dear Madam, and I hardly know how to express the deep sympathy I feel for you, in your sad bereavement. This war is making thousands of widows, and orphans. There is hardly a family in the land, but is called to mourn the loss of some of its dear ones. The blow has come home to you now, and you feel it in all its sadness, but you can carry with you this sweet reflection that your husband died like a hero and a Christian. He died for his country. He enlisted to fight for it from the purest of motives. His private life and actions while under my command were exemplary. He was truly a Christian soldier.

I enclose to you by to-day’s mail some letters that have come since the battle of Dec 13th. If I can be of any service to you in any way in getting the back pay, bounty, or pension due you on account of your late husband, I shall be most happy to render it. Do not be backward in asking me any favors you may wish. I feel myself under obligations to assist you in any way I my power, from the respect I have for the memory of your deceased husband.

Offering you the assurance of my deep and heartfelt sympathy, I remain, dear madam,

Your obedient servant

Albert M. Edwards
Cap. Co. F 24 Mich. Vols.

Reading Jan 21st/63

Dear Sister,

I just recd. a note from you stating that Royal is no more of this Earth. I rec'd the sad news last evening in the Detroit paper. I feel to Sympathize with you and your family under these trying circumstances but it may be all for the best. You want to know my opinion about going after Royal or want me to go for his body. I do not expect to go East any more this season. I will go for you if you want and charge you nothing more than the money that I pay our but I will tell you I think it would be very doubtful under the circumstances of getting his body and if it could be identified I presume it would cost 2 or 3 hundred dollars to get it away from Richmond. You have my opinion without any consultation from any other person. I will consult with other men as soon as I have a chance. I have to leave for Ohio tomorrow on business shall probably be gone about a week.

From your Brother and Friend

For Mary Ann Potter H.B. Chapman

The family all sends their love to you and the family.

Near Belle Plain Va.
February 3rd 1863

Mrs. R.A. Potter,

Dear Madam,

Your favor of January 26th has just reached me and I hasten to answer your inquiries.

It would be impossible I think to receive the body of your husband at present. First, no flag of truce would ever be allowed to penetrate so far into the enemy’s country: and second, the body could not in all probability be identified, if a man could be sent there. Several attempts have been made to recover the body of Lieut. Birrell of our Regiment who fell at Fredericksburg, but so far without success, as the rebels would not permit his friends to even cross the river to get the body. I spent ten dreary months in the same prison n Richmond in which your husband died, and I know how little care is taken to mark the spot where union soldiers are buried. It would be impossible to find him among the hundreds who are buried there.

In regard to your pension, bounty, back pay& c the best course for you to take would be to place the matter in the hands of some trusty claim agent. If you know of none such, I would recommend Maynard V. Welch of Detroit as gentleman whom you can trust.

Very Respectfully

Albert M. Edwards
Capt. Co. F 24, Mich. Vols.

The Potter Family Correspondence is courtesy of his direct descendant, Dolores Benson, Legalgran@worldnet.att.net. Used with Permission.

I would like to extend my gratitude to Nancy Howe for typing these letters.