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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: 2nd Bull Run, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Halls Hill Va. Sept 5th 1862
My Own Dear Mary.
Once more
in sight of and near the Capital
of the Union. Aug 15
th before
day light we were on the move
to evacuate Harrisons Landing.
since then until yesterday we
have seen no stopping place. no
rest. have had no letters for
three long weeks have marched
hundreds of miles. fought
one of the hardest Battles it
has been my fortune to be
caught in. and got whipped
on almost the the identical Bull
Run battle field of 1861. there
we lost some of our best men.
Brewer I fear is gone. he was
severely wounded by my side
and carried off the field.
the enemy soon had possession
of the place and whether he was
got off and taken to Alexandria
or Washington, or whether he fell
into the hands of the Confederates
I have no means of knowing
if the latter his chances of life
are small. if he is in our camp
I believe he will live.
A musket ball struck him
in the small of the back on the
left side about two inches from
the back bone and came out be
low the heart. in a slanting
direction from where it went
in. I have not been so lone
some since being in the army
Norton Fitch was wounded
had his left hand shot of by
a shell. three others wounded
and one killed but he will
never be missed and although
he has a wife she will rather
rejoice than mourn. Saturday
the 30
th we fought the battle and Mon-
day order a flag of truce I
went over the field hundreds
of our wounded were yet
uncared for. while the dead
were lying in every imagin
able positions by thousands.
I will spare you a rather recitation
of its horrors. I would not
when I started have missed
chance for a thousand and
now a million would not
have me to go again. While
among the Rebels they treated
me as well as our own men
would and the fight is so nearly
whipped out of me I almost re-
gretted I was not a prisoner
among them. They say it is impossible to conquer
them that they will be in Washington in the month
of Sept. and dictate time of peace to us in the
halls of congress we have got to do better or
they will do all the boast. They have a million
men in the field and can and will get more.
Hands in the mail cries the mail boy Good bye
Love and a Kiss
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Michigan
