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Regiment: 8th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
On the Blue Ridge Mountains
Sept. 16, 1862
Dear Mother and friends,
I am not very well this morning though not sick. I have the general complaint among. soldiers, “the dysentery.” I am now where day before yesterday the hot battle was a raging. After we left Washington, we marched every day for four days. We did not march all day some 10 ot 15 miles a day but we carried heavy knapsacks and were tired enough at night. The fifth day morning, which was Saturday we heard the cannon…and could see the smoke up on the mountains. We expected to march any minute but did not start until most a night and marched late at night. That was the hardest march we have had. The Sunday morning the cannon was roaring away again. We were within four or five miles of them. We started again and about noon we were within about a mile from the rebels battery. we had to wade a river. The rebels burnt a bridge the day before and a house and barn close by. We were going down a hill and all at once we heard a cannon ball whistle, it struck a little one side of the road within a few feet of us. I tell you there were some pale faces. In a few seconds we heard a shell coming. It bursted above us, but hurt no one. We were (low) in the hollow so the rebels could not see us. We were marched on towards the rebels. We new recruits with the rest, though we had no guns. We were coming up the mountain through a deep cut when a shell struck side of the road but did not burst and they began to come faster. We marched a little farther and halted. We new recruits were just a going to unsling knapsacks (for we were to take care of the wounded, and wounded men were coming down the road lots of them) when a rebel battery opened on us. The shot and shell began to come thick & fast & the soldiers began to run. I saw a man shot from his horse. The cavalry & artillery began to come down the road and there was quite a stampede. I did not start to run till I saw the old soldiers and other go it, and will they might or be run over. I thought we had lost the day. I did not feel afraid only when the shell came whistling. They make a fellow feel queer. I started down in the woods and the shell were flying all around. One shell wounded two in the woods. In the woods I came across Willard and lots of recruits and old soldiers. Some throwed away their knapsacks, guns and everything you could think of. Those that went down the road were checked by other soldiers & made a stand. We got lost from our Regt and never found out where they were until yesterday afternoon. We had to be careful where we traveled for secessioners were thick. There were two awful battles Sunday afternoon. The rebels were licked, but it is sickening to see the dead and wounded. I wish I never could see another such a sight. It is hard to see the wounded some with one leg or both of or broke arms of, one had both eyes shot out. Two of our recruits were wounded. I am sick of war. Abner says he has seen enough. He wants to be home now. The war is worse that I thought it was. It is horrible. Lots of the old soldiers say they have played out. They never will fight as they have done if they can get rid of it they will do it. They say the new soldiers fight the best. The 17
th Mich. done big on Sunday. They were a new regiment. I counted 22 dead ones out of that regt, laying side of each other. The regt. was badly cut up. We have good news this morning & I hope this war will soon end. A soldiers life is a hard one. Those that are at home know not how to enjoy it. I suppose I am some home sick. Sept. 19 I did not finish my letter the other day, so I will now. They are fighting here every day. Our regt was cut up badly day before yesterday. I wish I never could see them again, but perhaps I shall get used to them in a little while. One of the Tallman boys are wounded & don’t know which one. I have not heard from home yet. Write often. Direct as before. I did not pay for the express on my clothes and you must speak to Thomas about it and pay him if he paid. I can hear the muskets this morning. I was put in the drum corps yesterday. I do not have much chance to write.
good bye
William L.
