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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Chancellorsville, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Army of the Potomac
May 6th 1863
My Own Dear Mary.
Jenny:
Once
more in the deadly conflict we
have me our foes and dearly have
we paid the penalty of the son of
man waring against his Brother
man. Many of my brave comrades
have laid their lives upon the altar
of their countrys good. Foremost
on the list stands my more than
Brother Brewer. By my side he
fell. Struck with instantaneous
death. A ten found solid shot
passing through his heart. He
had been through a terriffic
charge had driven the foe nearly
a mile and in turn had been.
obliged to fall back. And then
amid the hottest artillery firing
I ever saw they laid him life=
=less at my feet. I know not
whether you would call it
presentiment. I do not but
I had watched all day to see
if he was safe. His name
and memory will be remem=
=bered and cherished by all his
comrades in arms. We avenge
his death. Single handed we
drive -our co. alone- a brigade
of Rebels. killing and wounding
them by scores until they broke
like a flock of sheep. It was
in a dense wood and by the
rapidity of our firing they supposed
we had an overpowering force.
Of the forty three men we took into
action in five minutes time six=
teen were either killed or wounded.
We captured some two hundred.
This was Sunday May 3
rd.
The day before we were
out skirmishing and captured
entire the 23
rd Georgia compri=
=sing one field
and eighteen line officers
and 360 Enlisted men. In this
affair we were connected with
three other companies. Num=
bering less than seventy five
men. I cannot give details
for every minute we expect the
battle. “to-be-continued.” We have
a good position and cannot
fail to win. We left camp
the 28
th. All was blind until we
crossed the river. Co. “C.” never
yet has been drove from the field and
never will. Give my kind regards
to all. Yours Ever
Gardner.
Lieut G. B. Clark
[On Envelope:]
Brewers death
Miss Mary Baxter
Grand Rappids
Box 450 Michigan
