Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Chancellorsville, Virginia; Rappahannock, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Army of the Potomac
Near Brandy Station V.a.
Nov. 12th 1863
My Mary.
My Own Darling Wife.
It is nearly a
week since I have had time to converse
with you. Before day break of the 7th
we broke camp and moved to Kelleys
Ford on the Rappahannock a distance
of some ten or twelve miles. which
place we reached about noon. Our
Regt. was immediately deployed
as skirmishers and advanced to
the Ford. The “Johnies” opened
upon us. their first fire wounding
my acting first Sergt. in the right
knee. so that amputation was necessary
just above the knee. After a short
skirmish we were ordered to charge
across which we did in the face of a
line of Rifle pits manned by some eight
hundred men. Carrying the works and
capturing over four hundred prisoners
I had one man killed and altogether
the Regt. lost three killed and nine
wounded two of whom I hear have
since died. and my Sergts case is
considered doubtful. his name is E.
J. Southworth he is from Hudson.
Chancellorsville was his first action
and he was wounded slightly in
the breast and was away three months
this is his second and he is minus
one leg.
Where we crossed the river the
water was over three feet deep and
the current so strong as to carry
one down stream considerable in
crossing. You can imagine some
of the difficulties. the Rebs. blazing
away at about four rods distance
After driving the enemy half a mile
we lay down until after dark
when we were relieved by Infantry,
fancy my “phelinks” with my boots
full of Rappahannock river. and a
cold north wind whistling in such
a way that were one in camp they
would think of the far away chim=
ney corner. I received yours
of the 5th last eve I hope Mother
is safe in Vermont with good luck
on the journey.
I will answer your question
about my coming there this winter by
asking you would leave of absence for
fifteen days pay, not that I know as
I can get even that. We are told
to build winter quarters but I dont
think we’ll occupy them long. the Rebs.
had built all over this ground we are
encamped on. Love to all
One Sweet Kiss. Your
Mary Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Mrs. G. B. Clark
Middlesex
Vermont
