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.
Shipping Weight:
0.2 lb
$350.00 USD
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