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Regiment: 2nd Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned: Malvern Hill, Virginia
Historical Figures: Philip Kearny
Camp near Harrison’s Landing 12 July 1862
Dear Uncle
I suppose you have been wondering why I did not write and if you have not heard
from me before this wondering if I was taken prisoner or shot but thank God
neither has happened but I must confess one time I thought of getting down by the
side of the road and letting secesh take me but on second thought I determined to
stick by the regiment let what would come. I tell you it looked rather black once or
twice but we came out all right in the end
I will commence at the time we left our entrenchments and tell you all that I can
about the affair. On Saturday the 28
th of June there was 150 rounds of ammunition
given to every man that was able to march and all of the sick was sent away. The
boys saw that something was up but we could not find out what it was. In the
morning we lay in rifle pits with the sun coming down on us as though it would kill
but it did not and no enemy making his appearance we went back to camp at noon
and stacked our arms and in the afternoon we took down our tents and packet up
for a march. We knew not where but this we did know that it rained most of the
night and all of our tents were down so that a good many of us got a ducking. So
ended the first day preparetory to the retreat across the White Oak Swamp to the
James. Sunday the 29
th we were arroused at day light and formed in line and to our
astonishment (for we expected to start immediately) we were ordered to stack arms
and rest. Well we lay around until about six o’clock when we started. We
proceeded about two miles to a saw mill and there we drew up in line and waited for
all the other regiments that was to come that way to pass. At last we started again
and went about two miles father when we halted gain and got in line and sent out
pickets about a mile. We remained here until about four o’clock in the hot sun when
we again got in motion. We had not gone far when the rebels commenced shelling
the rifle pits we had just left and to add to the confusion they fired a volley of
musketry at the rear of the column. Just then orders were given to open right and
companies going one road and the other three going another. After we (three
companies) had gone about one mile, Kearny came up to us
and inquired if we were Michigan he then halted us and said we were to be the
rear of all. Major Dilman told him he only had three companies but he said he
didn’t care, we were to be the rear of all
[ ? ] so we had to remain there until all the
rest had passed. At last we started again and crossed the ford and passed all the
troops again and were making quick time for old Charles City road when we were
suddenly brought to a stand still by a volley of musketry. We deployed as
skirmishers as quick as we could expecting them to make their appearance but they
did not and Kearny finding that the rebels had cut us off ordered us back. We had
to wait for all others to cross first and just as we had got part way over the enemy
came up and poured another volley into us and opened on us with one piece of
artillery but they did not do any damage and we got back on the road again and
made for another ford farther. We traveled til about twelve or one o’clock
when we laid down for the night. Thus ended the second day.
Monday 30
th – We started about three o’clock and after marching about an hour we
found the remainder of our regiment encamped in a field. They had had a good
night’s sleep and were cooking their breakfast when we camp up to them. Before we
had a chance to cook anything we were ordered on and went about three miles and
took up a position on an elevated piece of land near the old Charles City road and
waited for secesh to make his appearance which he did about three in the afternoon
when we fell back about one mile and took up position in woods with an open
field in front of us. Here we found one of our batteries stationed. Our regiment was
supporting the 20
th Indiana and did not get into action until about six o’clock when
we took their place and kept up the firing until near ten when the firing ceased on
both sides. We had to keep awake all night and the cries of the wounded was
dreadful to hear. All through the night we could see the rebels all over the field with
torches taking care of the wounded and dead. Thus ended the third day.
Tuesday July 1
st – We were called in about two o’clock and wents about six miles
(passing so close to the rebels that we could their camp fires) and in sight of the
James to Melvern Hill where we lay all day supporting a battery and receiving the
shot and shell from the enemy. There was 65 killed and wounded out of our brigade
by the enemy’s shells. Every shell I thought would be mine but they did not give me
any and I tell you I was glad of it. After fighting for about four we silenced their
batteries and they did not answer many of our shots until about five o’clock when
they came with infantry and the way we rushed it to them was a caution. We drove
them two and a half miles in about one hour and I guess we got a pretty good scare
on them for they did not attack us the next day. Thus ended the fourth day.
Wednesday July 2
nd – In the night we moved again and arrived at Harrison’s
Landing about two o’clock in the afternoon. We camped in a wheat field. The mud
was six inches deep and some of us had nothing to lay on and it was raining hard all
of the time. Well we spent the night here and the next day we moved about two
miles back and encamped where we had been ever since. I have to write a letter to
Add so I will have to quit now. Love to all of the folks..good bye..Ed
P.S. When you write please give me father’s address. I lost his letter in the retreat.
