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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Yorktown, Virginia
Historical Figures:
Near Yorktown Va. April 23rd 1862
My Own Mary
I staid off Picket to
day because I wanted to write to you for two
days I have volunteered for duty on the lines.
and shall go every day for the rest of the week.
Yesterday I had all the fun one could
wish for in the shape of shooting at and being
shot at by Secesh. I had a good chance and
were withing sixty rods of them. With one
of my comrades. I built a breastwork
to dodge behind and then they shot so true
some of the balls came through onto us my com-
rade was hit slighting in the shoulder. Every
time we fired we would receive a perfect volley
in answer. One man at the distance of at
least one hundred rods fired at my head, as
I was looking over my fort. I saw the
flash and lowered my
[ ? ]. the next moment
crash exactly where my head had been, came
the leaden messenger. I got up took of my
cap to the gent and retired from the place amid
a shower of balls that fell like hail. I then
went out in the left a half mile or so and
fired
a a shot near where I knew the good
show was stationed it was so for I had
to guess and a good guess I made. And a
good guess he made for in less than thirty
seconds he droped his ball directly in front
and about ten feet from me. I dont
want that man to shoot at me on an
average of more than one shot a day. for
the chances are that in a thousand one
migh would surely come right tin the place
where I should dodge.
It is warm and
pleasant, seems like June.
Monday I saw a sight, the
like of which very likely I will not see again
in a
l lifetime. Our men hoisted a flag
of truce on one of our batteries stationed
a short distance from where I was, at the
same time giving as orders not to fire
as long as that was up. In a little while
two of our officers and one from their side
started toward each other meeting at
the center between the two lines. Our men
came out by hundreds into view as did theirs
the conference lasted for two hours during
which time we amused ourselves by looking
at them through a glass. They were dress-
ed in all kinds of uniforms. the most of
which looked old and dirty.
I am glad
you like your new home so well. I think
I’ll call round and see how it look after
a little. Good Bye
A Kiss
[On Envelope:]
Soldiers Letter
H Berdan Co U.S.S.S.
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450) Michigan
