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Regiment: 5th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George B. McClellan
Mount Plesant, New Kent Co Virginia
Residence of Benj. Timberlakes Esq
May 16” 1862,
My Dear Parents
thinking that you would be
anxious to hear from me again I take this
opportunity of continueing my story. I was detailed
on Friday last by Dr. Millers medical Director of this “[ ? ]”
to go to Queen Creek landing and see that all of our
wounded were shipped to Steamer Davil Webster,
amid at landing with last of the wounded about 3
P.M. found 120 wounded there in ambulance waiting
to be shipped no head nor tail to it. all of the diners
were trying to get unloaded first sinace [ ? ] conveyed
them out into the stream they usualy carrid about 40
I made them carry 70 the first load. + the next they
took them all. I went out to large streamer + directed
their unloading reached shore a little after dark
+ got into my ambulance (my horse being gone) + started
on to join my regiment. about 2 miles from the landing
stoped to a form honor + got some biscuit + molasses saw
some horses in a lot + got out + tried to catch one finally
succeeded but it was a green thrayer old + the d l
could not lend it a step, so I was obligied to let
it go. came up to when I started from Fort McConden
+ stayed all night and morning came on to Williamsburgh
it to an old town. has but few handsome buildings in it. then
is a sort of high school + insane asylum. about dark I
found my regiment + wrote my fit letters since the [ ? ]
I was quite used up + the morning found me unfit to
move Dr. G was taken sick during the night with
Cholera Mubus, Sunday + Monday we lay perfectly quit +
let the other troops go on a head, we being detached for
a rear guard of the “Gomal Army” Tuesday at 10 AM
G. was still sick + obliged to ride in an ambulance. I
was sick but thought I would ride (Monday I found a
private in the New Jersey 5” landing my horse, said he
was owned by a Capt in that Regt I immediately
Placed a guard over him + waited for Capt Could
to come, I soon convinced him that I had a claim
to that horse + that I was bound to have him + he
gave him up. so I in reality only lost my horse for
six days but my fine red blanket that I [ ? ] so
much was gone no one kew where; I also had picked
a seacesh mule. but he was lame + centeray so I turned
him loose; Dr. G. found a splendid mule + [ ? ] to
pack his toops on, his son roade it out the morn we
left Williamsburgh + traveled it off for a poor old
broken down cart horse with just 6 ¾ cts, so he gave the
boy a scolding + turned the horse loose) I mounted my
horse + got my sick started for next point. the regiment
went about 41 roods + were halted until 4 P.M. I lay in
the shade just night we marched about 2 miles to this camp
I was so sick I could hardly sit on my horse + hitched
him to a fence + layed down side of him, set duck the boy’s
helped me into a tent + I lay their until next day (Wednesday
) at 10, when orders came to march. I told all hands that
I would not move a single rood. (for the first time I think
Dr. G. used me a little [ ? ] but it will come out all
right I don’t ask any odds of any of this.)
I went up to the house where I am now staying + they
kindly took me in + game me a good room. bed fire + e
+ a little dockey to wait on me + I have the best the
house affords. Yesterday I felt very bad, but to-day am
much better + am sitting in the parlor trying to write
I have my horse + all of my effects with me + shall join
my regiment as soon as I get able to ride + not
before, for quarters are scares along this rout + I want
to get as new will as I can before I have to go to
work. If I do not get will in a few weeks shall [ ? ]
and come home, for I dont prepose to die down in this
country if I can help if. Think I will be all right in
a few days. My regiment I learn is about 15 miles from here I
will have a hard ride when I attempt to over take them,
reports this morning say that we have taken 4000 prisoners
yesterday, don’t know here true it is. The rebels are falling
back before us. I do not think they will make much of a
stand at Richmond.
Mr Trimblelake (where I now am) is a plain
old farmer owns 300 acre of land + 8 [ ? ] has 6 daughters +
1 son about my age who is a lieut in the rebel army
there of the girl are married + the other three are at home
they have things nice and comfortable around them. seen quite
anxious about their son, say he was forced from there, guess that
part of it is a little [ ? ]. but that don’t make any difference
they are using war well + I expect to pay them for it,
Sugar is worth 25c. Coffee $1.25 Salt p. sack $10-20.
the country does not look to desimated up this way as it has
back, many of the farmers have got in their crops wheat is up
+ corn just beginning to show its self but I am tiard
and must lay down a little while before I finish this,
Our Brigade at the recent battle on the 5” distin-
quished themselves altho they did not get the credit for it on
the start the 5” + 37” N.Y. done most of the fighting. We were
publicly thanked by all of the Generals from McClellan down +
are to have Williamsburgh inscribed upon our flag.
I think I have seen just about war enough to last me for
the next two years. I have seen it in all of its different
phases the camp the march the [ ? ] + the fight,
I have walked across the blood red field + seen horse +
rider cold + pale. I have visited the crowded hospital in
our village I have spent the midnight hour in a
field hospital, with the dead + dying around me +
have seen them die with crying for water. I have seen
gun shot wounds if evry description. I have followed my
regiment until I have been left laying by the way side,
and no “by the Eternals” I am comeing home before
many days. I shall be home by the 1” of August [ ? ]
perhaps sooner, for I cant, now won’t stand this dogs life
any longer.
Give my best respects to all tell them I am all right
Mich 4” was not in the fight I understand. our loss still
116 wounded + 32 killed. I had a letter from Cook the other
day all right. direct to Washington as before. I shall go
on with the regiment to Richmond and hope we will make
a stop there long enough to get breath,
From Your
Affectionate Son
Robert
