Camp near Stafford Court House, Va.

June 12th, 1863.

Dear Wife,-

I am on Camp duty today and am kept very busy but will write as I have the time,- a few minutes now and a few another time, for it is my opinion that I shall have to do my writing in this way for a while.

We have orders to be in readiness to march at a moment's notice and I think we will march from here in less than twenty-four hours. I suppose you know about my Camp duty as it about the same that was performed when we were in Camp at Salem. At Guard Mount at 9 o'clock A. M. I take the men who are detailed for this duty under my command. I have enough men for three reliefs, each relief has enough men when posted a certain distance apart to extend all around the Camp, also one for Headquarters, which is the Colonel's tent, and a relief for anything that is to be guarded. After assuming command of the guard I take them to the guard-house where they are divided into three reliefs and numbered to correspond with the posts. They also are numbered all the way around the Camp. After they have been numbered the first relief goes on duty and remains for two hours, walking their beats,- that is, from a certain point to the next number. When the first men have been on duty two hours they are relieved by the second and the second by the third and the third by the first, which makes them two hours on duty and four hours off, for twenty-four hours, when they are relieved altogether.

The Officer of the Camp Guard has everything in and around the Camp to look after, which keeps one busy the most of the time. I will get no sleep tonight. At 8 o'clock A. M. I received orders to arouse the Camp tomorrow morning at three o'clock so that the Regiment will be in readiness to march at five o'clock. We start with only three days' rations and forty rounds of ammunition.

June 13th, 1863.

I was up all night and at three o'clock I awoke the Company officers of each company and at five o'clock breakfast was over, knapsacks packed, tents were struck and we were ready to march. We marched as we had received orders, at five o'clock. I remained on duty as Officer of the Guard whose duty it was to march in rear of the Regiment as rear guard.

The men started out in good spirits for it was reported that we were only going as far as Brooks Station to go into Camp there. We marched within one and one-half miles of this place and came to a halt on a rough piece of ground where there had been corn the year before. Here we formed our Company streets and the men were soon at work with pick, shovel, spade and ax, leveling the ground and putting up tents. They were working hard and had them well under way, and some had their tents up, when they were suddenly checked by an order to get ready to march. With a disappointed look they left off work, struck what tents that had been pitched, and packed up again and were ready to march.

Everything now had the appearance of a long march. Here the sick and complaining were examined and all who were not able to march were sent to hospitals. All surplus baggage and clothing were ordered to be abandoned and the men were to lighten their knapsacks as much as possible. I could not get to my valise so could not get a change of clothing. Our valises are to be stored somewhere.

I was at this time relieved from duty and reported to Captain Crary. We took up our line of march again at five o'clock P. M. We did not go far before we came up on to the wagon train coming in on another road. The wagon train always has the right to the road so we had to march on the side, which was very rough, and some places very narrow, which made hard marching for us. Darkness came on and we had to march slowly, standing still a few minutes and then moving on a few steps. Dark clouds began to gather in the west which added to the darkness; lightning flashed and the thunder rolled. When the flash of lightning had passed it was so dark we could not see where to set our feet. The drivers could not see where they were going and I saw two six-mule teams that had gone over the rocks and had fallen about fifty feet to the rocks below. All went over,- driver, mules, wagons and all that were in them. We could see them by the flashes of lightning.

In this way of marching the men became fatigued and as soon as we would halt for a few minutes they would lie down and fall asleep, which made hard work to start them again. We continued in this way all night and when daylight came,- which is now June 14th, we saw wagons loaded with supplies over the banks of the road, broken and had to be abandoned.

We did not halt for breakfast the morning of the 14th and not having any supper the night before we were hungry and nearly exhausted. After daylight we forded a creek, the water coming above our knees. We passed through Dumfries and halted about two miles beyond in an open field in the hot sun. Here the sun was so hot we put up our tents and at twelve o'clock M. we had our dinner,- the first we had eaten since the noon before except raw pork and hardtack that we had to eat dry while marching. I now got the first rest and sleep since the night of the 11th, being forty-eight hours without either, which almost used me up. We did not march in the afternoon but remained where we halted until the next morning, Monday, June 15th, when we were called up with orders to be ready to march at four o'clock. We got our breakfast, packed up and at the time mentioned we took up our line of march toward Fairfax Court House.

The sky was without a cloud and the day was extremely hot. The men threw away everything that they could get along without. We arrived at the Occoquan River about noon but did not halt for dinner, but pushed on up the hill beyond where many of the men fell from sunstroke and some died.

Just before we got to the Occoquon I noticed Sergeant R.B. Beattie was very pale and the perspiration had dried on his face and I knew at once that he was in danger of sunstroke. I told him to sit down on the bank of the stream and bathe his wrists, head and face and I would see if I could not get something to start the perspiration again, which would relieve him. I soon found Captain Crary and reported the condition of Beattie to him. He procured some whiskey and gave it to him and he soon was better and marched on with us. I had only got to the top of the hill when I was taken with a severe attack of dysentery and could hardly march. I found Dr. Connolly and told him my trouble asking him to give me something to relieve me, so that I could keep up with the Company, that I did not like to fall behind on a march. He gave me three opium pills and told me to take one each hour for three hours. I suffered so much pain I took them all within fifteen minutes. After a while they gave me some relief so I kept with the Company.

We did not have anything to eat all day and marched until eight o'clock P. M. when we halted for the night near Fairfax Court House, Va. I was in so much pain I could not eat anything so I was given a ration of whiskey. I lay down on the ground without any covering putting my blanket under my head for a pillow. The whiskey cut the opium I had taken and I did not realize anything until morning when I was awakened by Captain Crary. I could not arise from the ground. He sent for Dr. Connolly who prescribed for me and after a while I could ride on horseback and started with the Regiment.

I could not eat breakfast that morning. We only moved about two miles and went into Camp in a piece of woods. I lay under a tree in the shade and slept until noon when I ate some dinner, then went to sleep again. I slept that afternoon and night and the next morning felt as good as new.

We marched this morning at three o'clock to within one and one-half miles of Dranesville Village. We camped on Prospect Hill, having marched nine miles. Here the men had good foraging,-chickens, pork, beef and vegetables. The men were in want of such food and of course took it. I feel it is right to take what we can get from the country. It cuts off their supplies and helps us. Our men need this fresh food as they can get but little when we are in Camp.

We resumed our march this morning at seven o’clock, marching through Dranesville Village. It was very hot all the forenoon and we marched nearly all the time, making only short halts. About noon clouds began to gather in the west and just before we arrived at Coos Creek a heavy rain and hailstorm, accompanied with lightning and thunder, broke upon us and soon drenched us to the skin. We had to ford Coos Creek. The water was over the roadbed four feet deep. The fording of the creek made but little difference as we were as wet as we could be. It rained all of the afternoon and evening and when we went into Camp at Leesburg we were a wet, tired, hungry lot of fellows. We had marched about seventeen miles.

The country around Leesburg is very fertile, has good water, is well wooded and has fine crops.

We did not march this morning but witnessed the saddest enforcement of military law that I have seen since I have been in the service. It was the execution, by shooting to death, of three soldiers for desertion. Our Corps, the 12th, of which they were members (two of them belonging to our Brigade, the 46th Penna., and one to the 13th New Jersey), were formed in a hollow square on three sides about noon, and at one o'clock P. M. the criminals were brought out on the field in an ambulance tightly closed and guarded. Immediately preceding the ambulance was an army wagon carrying the coffins. In advance of the wagon were thirty-six armed soldiers who were detailed to do the shooting, marching to the beat of muffled drums. All were in charge of the Provost-marshal. On arriving at the place of execution the men were helped out of the ambulance, blindfolded and arms pinioned and were led to their graves and seated on their coffins. All were strong, healthy- looking young men. There were twelve executioners to one criminal; six of their guns were loaded and six were not. This was so they would not know who did the killing. When all were ready the Chaplain made a prayer. There was silence for a moment. At a signal the thirty-six guns came to an aim. At the word "Fire" there was a volley of musketry, the men fell back on their coffins pierced with bullets. The clothing was stripped from the breast of the dead who lay in their coffins, exposing to the view of twenty thousand soldiers who were marched past the corpses, three four and six bullet wounds, respectively. We were marched back to Camp and rested the remainder of the day.

It is reported today that the enemy are in this vicinity,- that a large force had been seen by our scouts.

Saturday, June 20, 1863.

We are yet in Camp near Leesburg. The inhabitants are all Rebels and talk very saucy and bitter toward the North. The men rejoice at this as they are allowed to forage and can live well on the country. They can get here potatoes, onions, milk, butter, flour, mutton, veal and pork and sometimes a hive of honey. One fellow was eating honey in the dark, after it had been taken from the hive and got several bees in his mouth and was badly stung. The next day he could hardly talk his tongue was so swollen.

I am writing this letter in the parlor of a Rebel house while waiting for dinner. Lieutenant Geo. R. Hall has returned from his leave of absence and came to the village of Leesburg with me. He has been telling me all about the people at home and what a fine time he had. He said you did not send a kiss by him but Ella did. We had a good dinner for a Southern dinner. A young lady waited on table. I suppose the young lady did not dare to let a colored servant wait on us as she would not watch us closely enough. The people here think we are all thieves. When we are hungry and can get anything to eat we do so. We paid the lady for our dinners. Lieutenant Hall returned from the 15th. I received the money you sent by him, also the stamps.

Sabbath, June 21st, 1863.

I do not get any rest today. This morning we moved our Camp and then our whole Company went on Camp Guard. There is nothing that annoys me so much as this Sabbath work. If it were not for that I would not complain about the service. It is true I see and hear other wickedness, but can avoid it, but this Sabbath work I cannot get out of. I am willing to do all that is necessary to guard and protect life and property but cannot see why it was necessary to move Camp today. We certainly had work enough without it.

Monday, June 22nd, 1863.

Our camp remains at Leesburg at this date, We have had Brigade inspection today. Arms and accoutrements were found to be in good order. I have fallen in love with this country,-it is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is rolling, not hilly, and very fertile. I can see meadows and fields of wheat, oats and corn of from fifty to one hundred acres. The wheat and oats are ready for harvest.

I do not find any Union people here. They are all Confederates and think they will succeed in this war. They say that the North has sent all the men it has into the service,- that all have been conscripted who are able to do service. I think that in time they will find it different from what they now talk.

Tuesday, June 23rd, 1863.

We could not be left to rest today but had to be called out to drill this forenoon, and now have orders to go on picket for three days. I understand the order is for the whole Regiment.

Our whole Regiment are on picket today. We came out for three days. The telegraph wires have been cut twice in the village of Leesburg today. General Slocum has issued an order and sent it to the village authorities that if it was repeated he would shell and burn the town. I hope it will not be cut again. It would be terrible to resort to such measures. The innocent women and children would suffer with the guilty. There are many good people in the town who know nothing about it. Harsh measures must be resorted to sometimes to keep these people under subjection or they might murder us all. Many of them are so bitter toward us I feel that if it were not for fear of such punishment they might poison us.

It is reported the Rebel cavalry are advancing toward us. We are to keep our arms by us tonight ready to receive the enemy at any time.

Long before daylight this morning we were in line standing by our arms ready to receive the enemy, but they did not put in an appearance. We have remained at our posts all day. There has been heavy firing in our front not far distant. It was our cavalry fighting the enemy's cavalry at Upperville. At last report the enemy were falling back, with our men hard after them. It commenced to rain about the middle of the afternoon which made it very unpleasant doing picket duty.

It rained all night and nearly all day today. At midnight last night while we were on picket we could hear quite a tumult in the camps,- officers calling to their men to fall in and we could hear them marching away. At three o'clock A. M. we received an order to be in readiness to march and at six o'clock we marched away and left the line to take care of itself without the pickets. We passed over the old battleground of Balls Bluff and overtook the Brigade before crossing the Potomac River at Edwards Ferry into Maryland. The marching was bad, the mud being quite deep, with continuing rain working it up more and more.

We had no breakfast before starting and did not halt long enough to eat until four P. M., when we halted and had breakfast, dinner and supper all at one time. After supper we were ordered to go into Camp for the night. We had passed through a small village called Pottsville about three miles back. We marched only about twelve miles.

Saturday, June 27th, 1863.

We started up early this morning, had our breakfast, and marched at five o'clock A. M. crossed over the Monocacy River and the aqueduct of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. At ten o'clock A. M. we halted at the Point of Rocks for dinner. Jacob Hoover of our Company did not come up. So far he is the only straggler on this march. We marched again at two o'clock P. M. and kept on the tow-path through the Point of Rocks and as far as Catopin where we passed under the canal, passing through Slab City and Petersville and went into Camp two miles beyond the latter village at nine-thirty P. M. It rained nearly all afternoon and evening.

Sabbath, June 28th, 1863.

It was reported this morning that General Hooker was relieved from command of the army yesterday and General Meade has his place. When General Hooker passed us yesterday at the Point of Rocks he was loudly cheered. We broke Camp this morning at four-thirty o'clock marching through Centreville and Jefferson on to Frederick City. Last night we marched three miles out of our route and had to retrace our steps this morning. We passed through Frederick City at four o'clock P. M. It rained hard all afternoon. When passing through the city the people brought out pails of whiskey with tin cups and set them on the sidewalks. Some of the men drank too freely of it. We pitched tents about a mile beyond the city. Lieutenant Marcus Beadle joined his company (I) this evening.

Monday, June 29th, 1863.

We marched at five-thirty this morning. After marching a short distance we halted for the wagon train to pass us, which was four hours in passing. We resumed our march again at ten- thirty. We crossed the Monocacy River on the pike road to York, Pa., marching through Woodbury and camped near Laddsburg at nine o'clock P. M. It rained again today.

Tuesday, June 30, 1863.

We started on our march this morning a little after three o'clock, marching very rapidly through Taneytown. We were pushed forward all afternoon not halting to get anything to eat. When within two miles of Littlestown, Pa., we received an order to halt, draw the charges that the men had in their guns to see that their guns were in good order and to reload and prime. Ammunition was also inspected. While we were doing this the artillery went dashing past us, the horses on the run. We now expected work ahead. As soon as the artillery had passed we were ordered to move forward on a double quick, which we kept up for three miles, passing through Littlestown in this way. The people were out at their doors passing to the men as they ran by such provision as they had in their houses,with water. Ladies waved their handkerchiefs and cheered us on. Some were in tears and some in smiles. At the hotel a number had gathered and were singing patriotic songs. If I ever felt I wanted to fight the enemy it was here where those ladies were calling us to drive the Rebels back into Virginia where they belonged. Then, too, I remembered the patriotism of that state,- the thousands it had fed while going to the front and the care it had given to the sick and wounded returning to their homes. This all passed through my mind and I felt I wanted to meet them in this free, hospitable, patriotic state. We did not slacken our pace until we were a mile beyond the town, when we were marched into a large field, formed in a line of battle and rested. Our cavalry had run into the Rebel cavalry and had a skirmish at this place but had driven them back. The cavalry lost three men killed. A strong picket line was put out and then we pitched our tents for the night and had our supper.

07/01/63- Battle of Gettysburg

Wednesday, July 1st, 1863.

I could get no sleep last night. After our tent was up and I had my supper I got a cracker box for a desk, sat down on the ground and wrote all night, making out our muster and payrolls. Yesterday being the last day of the month the work must be done or the men cannot get their pay. I can finish them today if I can get two hours to work on them. I am almost worn out today. We marched about thirty miles yesterday. We broke Camp this morning at seven o'clock, marched back until we struck the Gettysburg pike, then marched toward Gettysburg about four miles and halted, remaining here until two o'clock P. M. here I had dinner and finished out Company reports and muster- and payrolls. Gettysburg is about ten miles from Littlestown. At two o'clock we started on our march again, halted within a mile of Gettysburg and formed in a line of battle. We could hear cannonading and sharp musketry firing the farther side of the village. It came nearer and nearer. The enemy were driving our troops back through the village. We moved a short distance taking a new position to the left of where we first formed which was on the pike on the extreme right of the line near Wolf Hill. We were not brought under fire. The fighting ceased about seven o'clock P. M. We lay down to rest with guns in hand, without covering, so as to be in readiness to receive the enemy should they make an attack. We could eat no supper. The night was warm and clear so did not suffer for the want of covering.

Thursday, July 2nd, 1863.

We were not disturbed last night. This morning we had crackers and coffee for our breakfast, the only food we could get and I relished that. After we had our coffee we were moved forward and took a position in the front line on the right of the cemetery, our right (that is, the right of the Regiment) resting on Rock Creek, reaching to the swamp or marsh. Our line ran through a heavy growth of timber. Here we built breastworks by felling large trees, trimming the limbs off and laying one on to the other until we had piled them breast high. We held them in place by smaller timbers notched and laid the other way. The upper timber we raised about three inches above the second timber so that we could put our guns between them and take aim, the upper timber protecting our heads. We then dug a ditch on our side deep enough so that when standing our heads would come as high as A the top of the works. We left a shelf of earth next to the timber so that short men could get onto that which would raise them high enough. We threw the earth on the enemy's side of the works so that a shell or solid shot would not splinter the timber,- the earth would check the force of them. The limbs we had cut from the timber we trimmed of all small branches, intertwining them in front of our works, the points of these limbs facing the enemy and were as high as a man's head, making it almost impossible for men to get through them. This is called "abatis." At Chancellorsville we learned the importance of good works and now put into use this knowledge. We felt we could hold our works if the enemy should bring twice our number against us. Skirmishing on our left was kept up all day and in the open fields if a man should expose his head to the enemy he would soon hear the whiz of a sharpshooter's ball pass it. We had finished our works and were thinking that we might rest a while about six o'clock, when an order came to fall in. There was hard fighting at this time to our left. We fell in at once and marched rapidly away from out works in the direction of where the battle raged furiously on the left, which was on Round Top. When we had reached the foot of Round Top we advanced with a terrible shower of lead with shell passing over our heads, some of the shell coming so close that many of us had to bow to them. When we had reached the top the enemy had fallen back, fresh troops were advancing and we were not needed at that place any more so we were ordered back to our works again.

We had got within eighty rods of our works when an officer rode up to Colonel McDougall, telling him that the enemy were occupying his works. The Colonel did not credit this report. Colonel Selfridge of the 46th Reg. Penn, Vols. suggested that he entertain the truth of the report before advancing his Brigade. Colonel McDougall then ordered a skirmish line sent out. Lieutenant Marcus Beadle and a part of Company I were ordered to do the work. Lieutenant Beadle deployed his men and advanced. While he was getting ready the men of the Regiment were going to a stream in front which ran from Spangle Spring to fill their canteens with water. Men were coming from the other side and filled their canteens. It was so dark they could not tell who each other were until they got together and then our men saw that they on the other side were Rebels. They informed Lieutenant Beadle what they saw, which he did not credit and yet was careful to save his men. He advanced with them across the stream and then halted his men and challenged them with, "Who is there?"

The reply came, "Pickets from the Second Division of the Twelfth Corps. Come on it is all right." Lieutenant Beadle knew that the Second Division of our Corps was on our left when we left our works and now thought that when we moved out they had extended their picket line so as to hold our works, so leaving his men where they were he went forward himself and discovered too late that they were Rebels and he a prisoner. The enemy then told him to order his men to advance but he ordered them," Fall back,men," which they obeyed at once , having heard the conversation between Lieutenant Beadle and the enemy, and they were saved from capture. As soon as our men began to fall back the enemy opened fire on them, the skirmishers firing as they fell back.

When the skirmishers went out the Brigade was formed in Regimental front one regiment behind the other. Our regiment was about half way down the hill in a cornfield and the 145th Regt. New York Vols. were about six rods back, on top of the hill. The men were so worn out that when we halted they had lain down and fallen asleep. When the skirmishers began to fall back the Regiment had orders to move back to the top of the hill. The firing started up the 145th and thinking we were the enemy advancing on them they began to fire on us and fall back rapidly leaving their Colors, and some their knapsacks. Their officers had hard work to check them. Fortunately they fired over our heads. The Regiment fell back over the crest of the hill, sent A out a strong picket line and lay down their arms until the morning.

This morning Colonel McDougall with the regimental commanders of the Brigade, began to reconnoiter and consider how the Brigade could get in possession of their works again. He ordered the 20th Conn. out as skirmishers, who were supported by a battery on a hill about half a mile back of them. This regiment skirmished nearly all of the forenoon, the battery keeping up a firing. The battery had to throw their shells close to our heads and for some cause some of the shell exploded back of us which killed and wounded some of the men in the 46th Penn. Vols. who were at our right. Colonel Selfridge came to Colonel McDougall saying with an oath, at the same time drawing his revolver, that he was going to see the officer in command of that battery and if another shell fell short he would shoot the Rebel gunner. There were no more shell exploded behind us after the Colonel had seen the officer. The fuse of the shell had been cut too short for the distance.

About eleven o'clock Colonel McDougall came to Major Rogers and told him that he wanted him to take the 123rd Regiment and charge and retake the works and he would have the rest of the Brigade support him. About noon we were formed behind the 20th Conn., all ready for the charge. The battery on the hill began to use every gun throwing shell into the enemy's line in front of us. We advanced into the woods and in the rear of the 20th Conn. where we could see our works, when the order came to charge. The men began to cheer and run forward, firing as they advanced, bayonets fixed. The battery ceased firing. On we went over the dead and wounded; the enemy falling back, we soon reached our works and held them. The rest of the Brigade advanced and took their old places in the line and the gap from Spangle's Spring closed.

The men commenced at once to face the works to the enemy, as they had faced them toward us when they had taken possession of them. The brush was soon on the other side and the ditch cleared of earth, and videttes sent out to watch and see if the enemy came on to us again. There had been hard fighting here; the dead lay on the ground all along the line.

After we had retaken the works there was no firing along the whole line until one o'clock when the enemy all at once, as by the signal of one gun, opened fire with their artillery and were quickly replied to by our artillery. This firing continued for two hours. It is said that the enemy had one hundred and fifty pieces, and we had full as many more, which made upwards of three hundred pieces of artillery all firing at one time with as many shells exploding. Such a terrific roar, flying of broken shell, splinters of torn trees, were never heard or seen before and probably never will again. The artillery fire ceased about as suddenly as it began and then there was one continuous roar of musketry along the whole line for two hours longer.

About four o'clock the enemy were pressing hard the line at the left of the cemetery and we were ordered out to support it. We moved to the right across the creek and were going up the hill when a sharpshooter's ball struck Captain Norman F. Weer of Company E, in the knee, opening the joint. His cry of pain was heard above every other noise. When we reached the left of the cemetery the enemy had been repulsed and were falling back, so we were ordered back to our old position.

From the time of our return until dark there would be an occasional roll of musketry and then all would be quiet except now and then a musket shot. After dark there was but little firing until about midnight. It was so quiet I told Lieutenant Culver (he being in command of the Company, Captain Crary having been taken sick the first day of the fight and we not having seen him since) that I would take off my shoes and sword belt and lie down on my rubber blanket and get some rest. I had not had my shoes or belt off for three days and nights. I had lain but a short time when Culver came and lay on the blanket beside me and soon was sound asleep. The men had also fallen asleep. I was just dropping into a slumber when I heard a single shot away to the right, then all at once it came rolling down the line. The videttes in front of the Regiment began to fire. I sprang to my feet, calling our men to fall in. I did not take time to put on my shoes, coat or belt, but caught my sword and in a minute had the men in line behind our works and they began to fire before our videttes could get in. I got them checked after firing two rounds. As soon as the men had ceased firing the videttes came in, closely followed by a number of the enemy. I asked them what they had been trying to do. They said they thought we were so worn by fatigue that we had fallen asleep and they had an order to steal upon us and surprise us, that they had crawled so close to us that when the firing began they could not get back and thought they had best come in,- that they could never catch a Yankee napping. There was a large force back of them ready to charge and turn our right wing if they had succeeded in capturing us or driving us back. This was their last hope. Lieutenant Culver slept through it all. I did not lie down again but kept a good lookout for fear the enemy might come on to us again before daylight came.

July 4, 1863. This was a bright and beautiful morning. Not a sound of a rifle shot was heard nor was there any appearance of the enemy near. Some of the men went out in front, then came back and reported there being no evidence of the enemy there. All had gone, leaving their dead on the field to be buried by us.

Shortly after sunrise we were ordered to fall in and were marched out into the road where other regiments were in line, cavalry in front and artillery between. We marched around the right of the army taking the road to Gettysburg, making a reconnaissance of about eight miles, passing through the village of Gettysburg and returning by way of the cemetery, taking our old position in the works on our return. The enemy had been defeated and had gone.

The excitement of battle was now over and we were all almost starved. The first day of the battle fresh beef had been brought into a field near us and thrown from the wagons onto the grass where it had lain in the sun for over two days. The men would go and cut off slices and broil it in a fire on a stick and eat it without salt.

The stench from thousands of dead men and hundreds of horses that lay all around us was sickening. I could neither eat nor drink anything while in our works.

07/04/63- After Gettyburg

After we had returned from our reconnaissance on the morning of July 4th I had an opportunity to send a letter back to Littlestown to be mailed and wrote the few following lines, as I could not get the letters I had written to mail:

Dear Wife,-

I have an opportunity to send you a few lines and will improve it. I am well and uninjured after passing through three days' fighting. We have come off conquerors this time. The enemy are retreating. We will follow them as soon as the wounded are cared for and the dead buried. There is a terrible loss of life on both sides. God is with us. We did not lose a man in our Company.

The dead of the enemy must be buried. I was detailed to take charge of some men and bury the dead. In front of our Regiment I found the ground literally covered with dead bodies. Officers in their grey uniforms lay there with their men. General Ewell, Assistant Adjutant-General, and his horse lay where the bodies were the thickest. I think he was killed last night when the enemy made the charge on us at twelve o'clock. The men could have all the private property they found. All army property must be turned over to the Brigade Provost-Marshal. I visited the centre of the line and saw dead men piled one upon the other, and dead bodies nearly covering the ground. Our loss in the Regiment was only fourteen.

This is the Sabbath and to me, here where I am and doing as I am, it is like the other days of the week. A few are thoughtful about the uncertainty of life. In three days thousands of men have passed from Earth into Eternity, and yet these men think no more of this great loss of life than if it were one man.

We remained in our works until the middle of the afternoon when we had an order to move. The stench was terrible and we could stand it no longer. The burial of the dead was finished today. Hundreds of dead horses are lying above ground, bloated as full as the skin will hold.

We have marched about ten miles this afternoon and have camped for the night near Littlestown. I am in hopes now to get something to eat and a good rest tonight.

We marched only about four miles today. We passed through Littlestown and went into Camp in a piece of woods two miles to the south. The town looked deserted as we passed through. Doors were locked and blinds closed and when any of the men were admitted into a kitchen and bought a loaf of bread he was charged fifty cents for it and the same for a bowl of milk. We could hardly believe that these were the same people who sang and cheered us on when the enemy were near and they wanted protection. It looked as though they wanted to make up for what they had given away when we had passed through before.

The weather is cloudy and threatening rain. I had a good rest last night. We started to march at four o'clock this morning and marched very fast all day, not stopping for anything to eat. We are following up the enemy. They got the start of us as we had to bury all the dead and that detained us two days. We halted for the night within two miles of Frederick City, Md. We marched thirty-two miles today and I am almost used up.

We marched at five o'clock. It has rained hard all day and made the road muddy and slippery and it is hard marching.

On the hill above the city we saw a man hanging to a limb of an oak tree, some of the men stepped out of the ranks to see who it was or what it meant and discovered it was the body of a man that we all knew when we were in Camp at Pleasant Valley and London last fall and winter. He was in our Camp almost every day and had been with us part of the time on this march. He peddled songs and some small wares that he could carry in his pockets. We all thought him to be half-witted. He proved to be a spy and when taken he had on his person a map of our line of march all the way to Gettysburg and the weak points of our line at the time of the battle. We knew that in some way the enemy got the information when we moved out of our works the evening of the first day of the battle and now we can see who gave the information and when he gave it.

We pushed on all day and went into Camp at Barkelsville, Md., hungry, wet and tired. We marched about twenty-two miles today. A heavy picket line was sent out,- all of Company C. I think we are near the enemy again.

We did not march far today, only to the Little Antietam River, where we ran into Rebel pickets. This is the twenty-sixth day since we started from Stafford.. Many days we have marched twenty-five to thirty miles. There have been but six days when it has not rained.

I have but one shirt with me, a calico one. Every night I have gone to a stream, taken it off, washed it, wrung the water out of it and put it on again, letting it dry on me. The most of the time we have not had half enough to eat but do not mind it much now, we are so accustomed to hardship. I have stood the march very well although I have lain down on wet ground and slept all night in my wet clothes. Often I would not dare to remove my shoes for fear I could not get them on again. I do not know how long this march will last. We are following up Lee and if we can only annihilate his army and I can have life and health left me, I will not complain.

We are now west of South Mountain and about seven miles south of Boonsboro. If I only had time to look over the country and could march as I choose, I would enjoy the scenery for it is very beautiful. I have never seen such fine fields of corn and wheat as there are here. The people do not work as hard as we do North.

This morning we heard cannonading at the front. We were ordered to fall in and were marched rapidly forward and went into Camp again on the battlefield of Antietam where we remained until the next morning.

At four o'clock we were on the march again. We passed through the village of Fairplay and ran against the Rebel pickets about two miles beyond. A line of battle was formed and a skirmish line sent out and soon we commenced advancing, firing as we did so, driving the enemy before us. A battery came up on the line and threw a few shell after them until near Falling Waters where they were in force, and could advance no farther. Here we began to throw up breastworks, working at them all night. We were in an open field and could not get any logs but we had plenty of fence rails, wheat, straw and good earth to dig in and when the morning came we had a splendid line of breastworks,- shell-proof. We had no shovels or picks but used bayonets to loosen the earth and our hands and shingles for spades.

We lay behind our works all day. The enemy's cannon are in sight on a hill in front of us half a mile away. The infantry on the skirmish line keep up a sharp firing all the time. The artillery does not open on us. Today the enemy's cavalry made an attack on our train guard and tried to capture our supplies but they were driven away followed by our cavalry.

We have not moved yet. The enemy are still in force in front of us. The skirmishers keep up a constant firing. This afternoon the skirmishers were relieved by the dismounted cavalry and with their carbines it sounds as if a battle was going on.

At three o'clock we had an order to be ready to move at daylight. The Regiment was ready to move at daylight but did not get an order to fall in until about seven o'clock. We formed in line of battle in front of our works expecting to advance and make a charge on the enemy. Several of their guns were yet in position on the hills and it looked as if we had some hard fighting to do. We were all in readiness to advance when we saw a colored man coming from the enemy's line, calling that the enemy had crossed the river. We were pushed on after them but sure enough they were gone. The firing was kept up by the Rebel pickets was only to deceive us and to allow Lee and his army to cross the river. The cannon we saw on the hills were logs sawed about the length of cannon and with the end painted so as to look like them in the distance.

The enemy's skirmish line and rear guard were captured at Falling Waters. As soon as General Lee had got his army across the river he cut the pontoons loose, knowing that we were ready to advance on him. He would rather lose his rear guard and skirmishers than to have us cross the river after him. After it was seen by our officers that we could not follow Lee across the river we were ordered back to our works again, where we remained through the night.

Again at dawn we were on the march, retracing our steps. We passed through Fairplay and the on to Sharpsburg, passing through the village and the Antietam Iron Works and at night went into Camp about three miles from Harpers Ferry, on the other side of Maryland Heights from Sandy Hook. We are only about two miles from where our old camp in Pleasant Valley was ten moths ago when we first came into Maryland. General Lee keeps out of our way and is now in Virginia again.

We were called up this morning at three o'clock and as soon as we could get breakfast over we fell in and started on our march again. We marched over the mountain, Colonel Miles' battleground, passed our old campground at Pleasant Valley and went into Camp again near Sandy Hook. We rested the remainder of the day.

Rest,- there is no rest for a soldier in the field. I have been writing all day. I have had to make a report of the campaign and battle. Everything must be accounted for,- from the largest to the smallest article belonging to the Government; the number of prisoners taken; the number of dead buried in front of our Company; the number of guns and the amount of ammunition captured; all must be reported.

We have remained at this camp near Sandy Hook, Md., two days. We are held in readiness to march at any moment. I wrote until one o'clock last night and have been at the same work nearly all day. I wish we could go into Camp for a while where we could get some rest, I feel the need of it so much.

We left Sandy Hook this morning, crossed the river to Harpers Ferry, Va., and took the right hand road past the building that John Brown and his men seized and fought from. We marched about four miles beyond the Ferry and went into Camp again.

We have had a very hard march today. We started very early this morning, marched all day and at night went into Camp near Sniekers Gap, Va.

We did not march today but did heavy picket duty while remaining at the Gap.

Early this morning we took up the march again, marched to Ashby's Gap, then back again for some distance, passing through Upperville and Piedmont Station, and did not go into Camp until ten o'clock at night. We must have marched over thirty miles. It was nearly midnight when we had supper over and went to rest on our blankets spread on the ground.

We only got three hours rest last night as we were on the march again at three o'clock A. M. We were marched to Mannassas Gap, drew rations of hard bread, and then were pushed on as far as Linden. Here we were allowed time enough to cook coffee and eat some crackers, which was all the food we had. Then we were hurriedly marched back down the Gap and on toward White Plains without stopping for coffee and hard bread for supper but had to eat our hard bread without coffee while we were marching. We reached White Plains at midnight. Here we lay on the ground until daylight the next morning. We were so tired that we did not put up tents, but slept without covering.

I was so sick this morning I could not march. I had high fever and was so weak that I could not stand on my feet. I could eat nothing. The last two days had been too much for me.

The Regiment marched about eight o'clock this morning and I rode on horseback to Fairplain where the Regiment halted and put up tents for the night. The tents were only up when an order came to strike tents and fall in. Here the ambulances came up and I was put into one and rode the afternoon. The Regiment had a hard march this afternoon, marching through Fairplain Station, Thoroughfare Gap, on to Haymarket where they went into Camp for the night, wet through by a rainstorm.

The Regiment was on the march again at six o'clock this morning. I was no better and was again put into an ambulance. The Regiment went into Camp near Warrenton Junction. After our tent was put up and blankets spread on the ground I was taken to our quarters. I had a high fever, could get nothing and wanted cold water, which I could not get.

Peter McNassor came in to see me and I asked him if he could get me some good water to drink. The boy went two miles to a spring and got me a canteen of good water. Peter is one of our best soldiers and the youngest. He marched all the way to Gettysburg and back and when so tired went so far to get me the water. I shall never forget the kind act.

Captain Crary is sick. July 27th, 1863.

We did not march this morning. If the Regiment had marched I would not have been able to have gone with them. I have been examined by the Brigade Surgeon and he says I must go to a hospital or somewhere where I can receive proper care. He is going to Washington this afternoon with Colonel Rogers who is sick, and will take Lieutenant Reid and myself with him and get us a place where we will get good care.

I think the campaign is over and the Regiment will go into Camp in this vicinity for a while. Trains are coming into the Junction loaded with army supplies. Hundreds of four-mule teams are carrying it away in every direction.

I will write you my address when I get to Washington. Lieutenant Culver and others of the Regiment started for home today on recruiting service.