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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Truman “California Joe” Head
Harrisons Landing
August first 1862
My own dear Mary
No one
can tell what morrow will
bring forth. So I will improve
the present. I am thankful that
I have a little news to write by
it you can see the vigilance of our
great Commander. A little
past midnight we were some what
startled by shell and shot dropping
promiscuously from some unseen
quarter among us. Upon go-
ing out we could see the flank of
their pieces across the river and
at least three miles distant, we
had not a gun in position and
it took some little time answer
them, but with the gunboats we
soon silenced them. The Rebels
annoy us in every way, and no
effectual notice taken of it. I
have no personal feelings on the
subject, but when I would
allow an enemy to come within
half a mile of such an immense
mass of shipping as lies at this
Landing and plant his battleship
I would lay down all claims to
Leadership, banish myself to
a second St. Helena, and these
with Solitude end of my days.
Ten men I believe was all
that was killed on our side with
several wounded. One man was
asleep as a shell took his head
off. It was the first cannona-
ding I have heard in near a month
and taking place as it did in the
night it was a beautiful sight
There is nothing wrong about a
good cannon fight and though
I have had the “cursed missiles”
roll and hiss along with in a few
feet of me. I never saw the time
I was very much alarmed by
them. In Harpers of Aug.
2
nd you will see a portrait of
“California Joe,” what Harper says
is nearly all false. he belongs to
Co. C. 1
st U. S. S. S. his name is
Truman Head. he has no telescop-
ic rifle but a plain Sharps. his
age and wealth has made him
in part his name. he is a good
shot and always cool. came to
Weehawken from California and
go joined us last Sept. his eyesight
was badly hurt in our retreat and
I am afraid he will loose the use
of one eye, his sight, I think as
much of the old man as I do my
father and am going to Cal. with
him when the war is over. he is
fifty three years old, worth $100,000
Hoping the rebs will shell us furiously again to night
I’ll send you a dozen kisses and go to bed
Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
(Box 450) Grand Rapids
Mich
