Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burge-caroden-s/
Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Bull Run, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Capitol, July 26/61
Dear Sister:
I rec’d yours
of the 18 yesterday. I rec’d
the letter dated the 12
a few days ago, and the
money which was very accept
able, as we have not yet
rec’d any pay though we
expect it every day. They
commenced paying our
reg. one week ago last
Tuesday; but our reg. had
to take up its line of
march into Virginia at
3 P.M. on that day, so
they only had time to
pay the Officers & two
co’s (A & B). So the other eight
co’s (ours with them) did not
get any pay. This was U.S.
pay. I don’t know where we
shall get that now. You
have probably heard ere
this of the battle at
Bull Run, & our defeat.
I was there. Our Brigade
was the first to attack
the battery, in the first
battle (in fact our Brigade
along
attacked fought the first
battle), and our reg. was
the last to leave the field
in the second battle
& defect
in retreat. So I have been
in battle, heared the volleys
of musketry
seen as they pound
fourth send many to their
last home, and the demonlike
yell of three engaged in battle.
Yes, I have heared the bullets
of the enemy whistle round
my own ears, when I new
not but each moment would
be my last. And I have
heared the hum of
the deadly cannon ball as it came
uncomfortably close to my
cranium. In short I have,
I think, been through that
part of the battle in which
the soldier experiences the worst
feelings, without firing at the
enemy once. We lay three
hours upon the sand in the
hot sun, dodging bullets &
cannon balls, waiting for
the order to advance, where
I could hear distinctly the shouts
of the enemy, & see those engaged
in battle. But the order came
retreat instead of advance. Our
Brigade in this battle lost about
fifty in killed & wounded, about
20 killed. I told you before two
hundred, but it was a wrong report.
None of our reg. were killed, four or
five wounded. Not on of our co. was
even wounded. Sunday last the
great battle came off. Our Brigade
was kept in reserve all day, so that
none we hurt except one or two
skirmishers, slightly wounded. The
hotest part of the battle on Sunday
continued about 9 hours. The no.
of killed & wounded in this I don’t
know for certain, as yet. I is
probably not less than one thousand
perhaps two thousand. The enemies
loss according to their own estimation
was 3000. We should surely have
beaten them but for their continual
reinforcement. They had from 80000
to 100000 troops in the field & we
only 26000 engaged in the battle. And
notwithstanding at every charge we
drove them back. Had it not been
for incompetent field officers we should
not have retreated so far. as you see we
are. We are now on Arlington Heights just
across the Potomac from Washington. I am
now writing in the Capitol of Washington.
Your brother Caroden
The Lord has brought me unscathed
thus far let us trust Him. I expect
we shall soon march to Bull Run again
Caroden
