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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Yorktown, Virginia
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, George B. McClellan, Truman “California Joe” Head
Camp near Yorktown Mar. 15th/62
My Own Mary.
Still we are waiting.
for what I can only guess. It may be
to let those who are to die live a few
days longer. for the week past we have done
very little. Troops and Artillery have been
coming up until now we have 110,000
fighting men and near 800 peices
of cannon. A day or two ago
six of our men (Co. “C”) were on picket
about eight or nine hundred yards
from the Rebel guns. “Old California”
as we call him. (his name is Truman
Head and he says he is over fifty years
old we think he is near score more
than that. he came from Cal. to join
Col. Bakers Reg. but for some reason did
not do so and as good luck would have
it came into our Co.) has a Sharps Rifles
which he bought just before leaving Wash.
there was a gun mounted to shell their position
the old man fired once a man fell and
the gun was hauled out of sight. Soon after
a body of men Uncle
[ ? ] says there were
from fifty to one hundred. undertook to drive
the six from their cover for two hours they
kept it up leaving a number of dead and more
wounded. They then retreated behind their
fortifications but soon returned with two Reg.
our Rifles are dangerous things for a man
to face. Especially if he be an enemy. after
considerable maneuvering they charged upon our
boys. who retreated dealing death as went and
getting in return only two wounded and them
but slightly. With twenty more of our Co. they
declared they could have held the place in spite
of both regiments that were sent against them.
I do not know as you will hear
all these things through the papers. but all
over here the troops call us “Devils.”
You will remember
my telling about corresponding with a young
lady in Vermont. Pamelia Fester. a few days
ago I received from her the second
letter. I will send it with this to you it
is a good well written letter and I hated
to burn it as I do all but your letters.
though by the I have not had but few
since landing at Hampton.
We cannot
from any
[ ? ] when the Battle will
commence. the Enemy are reported as
having received reinforcements, so that
they number eighty-thousand now. Negroes
living around here say they have a complete
line of fortifications clear to Richmond. If
we had Frank Siegel here
we or Freemont
we would soon whip them. probably we shall
some time as it is. I claim one is not to
blame if they cannot have complete confidence
in every man, even if he is Commander in
Chief. I had a little rather you would not
let all my friends know my opinions of
G. B. McClellan very likely he will come
out of the struggle with the reputation of
being an honest man but to cry him up
as being the smartest military man
in the Union and give him the highest
position in the gift of the President. when
there are men that the country knows and
knows to be worthy men.
But I must close
for this time. With much love and
a kiss. Always yours
Gardner B. Clark
Direct to Washington
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450) Michigan
