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Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters
Battles Mentioned: Antietam, Maryland; Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan, Truman “California Joe” Head
On the Upper Potomac
Sept. 22nd 1862
My Mary.
Once more we halt
after a great battle long enough
for me to commence a few lines
to a loved one. We have battled
once or twice for a short time
since I wrote you but our Pay
Calls had not been made out
for want of time and I have
been engaged on them. I
cannot go back to the time we
left Fort Cochran to tell you
the many items of interest and
adventure. and of our successive
battles you already know. I was
in none of them up to Wednes-
day and more of a spectator
than actual participant in that.
It was a splendidly planned and
hard fought engagement. And
beside it was no newspaper victory
but a glorious reality. Friday
and Saturday I was there. we got
the worst of it but its results are
nothing. Of the fight of Saturday
I have a laughable incident to
tell you. -though you will please
bear in mind that I did not
stop to laugh at the time.- After
going over the night before we
did not expect any oposition.
and I with two of my comrades
thought to cross on the dam, which
went within some two rods
of the opposite shore. when we got
that far. we took of our clothes
and carried them across. put them
on amid a heavy shower of shell
from our own batteries. the mean-
ing of which we could not find out.
My comrades told me the rebs. were
driving our men back and wished
to return but I had premised
myself a chicken from the sacred
soil for dinner and could not
give it up so. We had got but a
few rods up the cliff when we
heard musketry “fearfully loud”
and “uncomfortably near.” looking
down the river was a sorry sight
to one who had taken the pains I
had to keep day. the stream was
black with troops recrossing at
as near the “Double quick” as men
waist deep in a strong current
usually get. One moment for
thought whether to stay and
fight until taken prisoner, or
take to the water and get wet
perhaps shut in the back deci-
ded me for the Marland shore
Virginia I never liked, chang-
ed my mind about chicken for
dinner and started before
I was two rods of my journey.
in I went all over. I was
none of the lightest when I came
out and a large woolen blanket
which I had getting well soaked
made me think I was just car
rying the larger half of this
thing we live on. Blanket was
of no use to me. What else could
I do but throw it away. My
rifle was my trust friend and
though hundreds were leaving theirs
on the rocky bed of the Potomac
terror did not unclasp my grasp
of mine. Our loss was very heavy
principally from the 118
th Penn.
a new regiment.
Sept. 24
th I had no time finish
this yesterday and if I had I could
not have sent it. Last night I
got yours of the 14
th and 16
th
You wrote that you did not know
how you could ever return my
kindness to you. All the return
I ask or could wish is your love.
and respect as I feel confident I
have now. and tot the same extent
that I love and respect you.
Brewer is alive and doing
well. he was taken prisoner and
paroled and brought to Alexandria
where he now is. We heard from
him two weeks ago. All had
four balls in his left side.
I told you he was a tough
cuss (
[ ? ]) and Rebeldom could
not kill him. I presume as
soon as he is able to move he will
go home. Osman enlisted in the
10
th Vermont. he would have come
into this Regt. but I did not want
him to. a new regt is the place
for any man. California Joe
was not in the late battles on
account of sickness. he is now
in Washington and he is so slim
I hope he will not come back to the
Regt. The old man has willed all
of his property to the widows and
orphans of the members of Co. C,
1
st Regt. U.S.S.S. so sumer
[ ? ] what a
joke on my widow. thus I am not married.
McClellan commands us again
in the field. his old troops would
fight under no other General. We
expect a fight here before we get
get out. And by the way
I will tell you where we are
as near as I know. It is
ten miles to Harpers Ferry down
the river and between Sharpsburg
and the Potomac. Frederick
which we passed through on our
road hereis a beautiful little
city in the valley of the
Monocacy. The people appeared
to be all Union. but I suppose
there are a great many Secession
sympathisers in the town, Maryland
I like much better than Va.
With much love and at least
one kiss. Ever your Gardner
[On Envelope:]
Miss Mary J. Baxter
Grand Rapids
(Box 450)
Michigan
