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35th New York-Helping a drummer boy, negroes from the plantations following,Rebel ambush,dead bodies
Item #: 25072
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Lt. Erskine Camp 35th New York writes of helping a Drummer boy, negroes from the plantations following and picking up discarded clothes, an ambush by the Rebels and seeing the dead bodies laid out. 6PP ink (signed Erskine in the text, he was easily identified).

Gen’l Patrick’s Brigade Camp 35 Reg’t Falmouth opposite City of Frederick V. on Rappahannock River From Erskine 18th April 1862 Here we are 35 miles further South, on the 18 we left our camp at Cattlells & made a forced march of 22 miles the first day. The day was intensely hot & several hundred were obliged to fall out & lay down by the road side, It was a hard sight to see the men, some in tears to think they had not the strength to march further. I saw one little Drummer boy not much larger than Ernie (though of course older) lying by the fence, large black circles around his eyes. He was completely exhausted & would not leave his drum. I took his drum & helped him along a mile. Two men (not of our Regiment) died on the route. Towards night a terrible storm came on. We marched 8 miles in pitchy darkness; mud to our knees rain falling in torrents & oh! How tired I was. We halted often & would lie down in the mud, as content as if I was in the bed at home. I did want to lie down in the corner of a fence & go to sleep. But I could not have it said that I lagged behind. The cords under my knees were swollen & I reeled & staggered. But, thank God, I managed to get through. When we reached the place where we were to remain all night, you could not see your hands before your face, & the men dropped down anywhere & slept. Soon they had fires burning of rails & some straw stacks were used for bedding. McWayne & myself found an empty cow shed, open on one side. On this side we made a large fire, laid down some boards to keep us out of the mud, spread down some straw & taking off our shoes & stockings dried our feet. My man (Cook) father of that boy) made us a cup of coffee, into we crumbled some crackers & with a little piece of cheese made a scrumptious repast. We managed to get tolerably dry. McWayne had one dry blanket which we laid under us, & lighting my pipe, I laid down with my feet to the fire. "Now,” said I to Jerry, "I am home, my feet against the old fireplace, Mother is saying ‘won’t you have some apples & cider, or a piece of mince pie,’ and Father is saying ‘make some sage tea and bring him some currant jelly.’’ You cannot imagine how happy a poor wearied soldier feels when at night after a hard days march he can have a little straw & the luxury of even the corner of a cow stable, a pipe and tobacco; not one in the land is happier than he. It may seem not a very long march to go 22 miles in one day, but you must remember that every man carries upon his back all his extra clothing, overcoat, blankets, little cover tent & any other little article he may need. Two days rations in his haversack, cartridge box with 50 rounds of ammunition, which with gun etc. make a very heavy load, & during the day, the men as they become weary commence throwing away their things one would throw away all his spare clothes, blankets & overcoat & others more prudent would throw away one thing at a time, perhaps a shirt or spare blanket & the roads were completely lined with such articles & at every plantation we were followed by a crowd of negroes who picked up what was left. Yesterday the 19th we marched the balance of the distance 13 miles & we are now encamped on the opposite side of the river from the City, unable to cross as three bridges have been burnt by the rebels. Now I will go back & tell you the reason we came here in such a hurry. Gen’l Auger’s Brigade came out here the day before us & his cavalry were drawn into an ambush by the rebels & we lost 10 men killed & 20 wounded. Gen’l A. came up with the balance of his men. The rebels retired across the river, burning the bridges as they passed. Gen’l A. brought his battery into position & after throwing a few shell in to the City, drove the rebels out. The mayor came over yesterday & surrendered the City. We cannot cross till the bridge is repaired. We may remain here some time. When we move, we think we may go down to a point on Acquia Creek, where we can get our supplies by water from Washington. There is not retreat for us, as we are in the midst of Secesh country & the country is full of Secesh Cavalry & guerillas ready to pick off any stragglers. All of our men (nearly) have come up with us. We came past the place where the fight was & saw the dead horses lying around through the woods. Also saw the dead bodies of our soldiers laid out in their uniforms to be buried in one grave, in a romantic graveyard on the banks of the Rappahannock."May they rest in peace.” Say to Father that the package he sent me will reach me in due course of time. When we get down on Acquia Creek & have communication with Washington. We are halfway between Washington & Richmond. Fredericksburg looks like a beautiful city. The river is about as wide as Black River. We have marched through a splendid country. Peach trees in full bloom & grain quite high. A woman at a house we passed gave us a piece of her cake & a cup of milk. "God’s blessing rest upon her.” The river is navigable for small steam3ers up to this city, but the rebels sunk scows in the channel. I understand we have a couple of gunboats which have managed to ruin their obstructions & are lying a little way below here. The boats came up Acquia Creek, which is only ten miles from us. I am very well indeed, except my bones ache from the effects of the march. In a couple of days I shall be quite rested. It may be some time before you receive this as I do not know, etc. Tea $6 per pound. Pepper 6/per box. Other things in proportion. We now expect to unite with Gen’l Banks & go to Richmond.

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