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https://micivilwar.com/authors/bunyea-chauncey/
Regiment: 16th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
[Union tree]
Traitor! spare that Tree,
Cleave not a single bough,
In youth it shelter’d me,
And I’ll protect it now
UNION
16th Mich Inft Camp
Near Sharpsburgh Md,
Sept 23rd 1862
Dear Parents
Thinking of home
sweet home of memories
dear, of gentle fire side whispers,
and fond associations and above
all thinking that you dear parents
might wish to learn of my whereabouts
I take this opportunity to write
you letting you know that amid
wars mad sciences and cruel
[ ? ]
I yet live. Yes dear parents though
the tide of Battle has ebbed and
flowed around I am yet safe
When I last wrote you I expected
to remain in Camp in front of
Washington for some time
on the mor of the 12 inst all
such hopes were dispelled by an
ordre to “strike tents pack up and
get ready to march” Then we knew
that we would have to pursue the
rebel invaders of Md. We took
an early start and after 5
days hard marching came up
with our advance who were
before the enemy on the afternoon
of 16
th inst On our way we
passed through a splendid
country and the handsome citizen
and towns of Georgetown Washington, Rockville,
Frederick, Middletown and
Boonsboro with several other
lesser ones. All loyal and
true. It was really peasing
to us who had so long lived in
a rebel state to get among a
loyal people. When resting
pass we were going through
Georgetown and Washington
little boys and girls rec’d
[ ? ]
one another to do us favors
bringing water while the
older ones kept pails full of
the precious liquid at their doors
and on the street corners to alley
the thirst of weary soldiers.
Verily it then seemed good to
a union man and we felt
a little pleased being soldiers
The inhabitants of Frederick
were were more loyal in their
demonstrations. They had just
been relieved from the nauseus
rule of traiter by the strong army
of Union Soldiers and their joy
knew no bounds. from houses
tops and windows the glorious
old stars and stripes were dis-
played and my a fair hand
waved the precious emblem of
liberty as a token of her loyalty
A great many of our boys said
that they were going to live in
Frederick when the war was ended
In connection with that saying
were other thoughts which were not made
public. Such as forming mattri
monial alliances etc. Our portion
of the army, “Portersr Corps” were on
reserve during the heavy fight of
Wed. 17
th. That was the hardest
contested, best managed and most
terrible fight of the war. from early
dawn till dark the loud roaring
of artillery and heavy volleys of
musketry was incessant. In this
as well as in every battle in Md
the rebels were whipped and now
are driven out and all except
their filthy sick and wounded
across the Potomac. Another battle
is expected soon. I would advise
brother not to enlist because I dont
believe he could stand it.
Ever your faithful Son, Chauncy
Write very often, I love to hear from home. Write no matter
whether you hear from me or not. Sometimes we cant write
I recd your letter in the the
[ ? ] Chauncey
[On Envelope:]
Mr John Bunyea
Wane PO
Wayne County
Mich
