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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Yorktown, Virginia
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, William S. Smith
Near Yorktown Va. April 20th 1862
My Mary.
I hardly know where I am this
morning. but from the firing last night and
every few moments now conclude our Camp
is not is still within range of a powerful and
well entrenched enemy. Our Co. is for the pres-
ent attached to Gen. Smiths Division. He is the
man that last Sept. said he wanted no S.S. under
his command. now he asks, as a favor of
Gen. McClellan that he send him two Co’s.
Smith commands the left wing of our army
here and the heaviest fighting has thus far been
in this Division. It is rainy cold and
disagreeable last nights it poured in torrents upon
us soaking tent, blanket, and whatever one hap-
pened to have on. and worse than all the
Rebels opened fire upon some of
of our troops
about half a mile from us and nothing would
do but we must be kept awake ready to get out
any moment. when if they had taken the trouble
to think (I believe they do not often) they might
have known it was so dark nobody could see
to half shoot one of us.
A The seige of Yorktown promises
to be as
[ ? ] and I hope as decisive as
was that other siege eighy one years ago. we
are nearly on the identical ground Washingtons
band of Patriots were on then. Some times our
men on picket use the same trenches they used.
We will at least play “Hail Columbia” to
them in commemoration of the heroism
and devotion, of these brave spirits of the
older time. May this example be emulated
by all
within beneath our glorious old banner.
Every foot of Va. soil
will be covered with the blood and bones of
the fallen brave. and are we the of the
Union army the only braves. No. ten
thousand times, No!! I have been over to the
VA. Third, last Wesdnesday they charged into
the Rebel entrenchments. 190 men went out
of Camp to the fight 85 only came back
unhurt. the dead lay on the ground until
yesterday when under a flag of truce, they
went over to bury the dead 32. they recovered.
Our boys fought nobly but against too heavy
odds. Don Brigham was unhurt, but
several old friends were killed, or wounded,
Probably many days will go by
before the Battle begins. To say I dream
the contest would not tell the half nor
do I fear the result, we will be vic-
torious. the
Sars as Stars and Stripes
will float over the enemys works.
To-morrow I go on
Picket. I have one doubt I shall be
obliged to fire upon a Secesh and
as it is only 250 yards to shoot you can
guess the result. I never shall tell
I enlisted to kill the enemy and shall
do my best, but I dont like it. It is
too barbarous.
Good Bye, a kiss
Please excuse me for sending my
letters as “Soldiers Letters.” I can get no P.S.
at present another kiss. Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
Kent Co.
Mich.
