1862 March 25 Camp Shields

Camp Shields Mar. 25th 1862

My darling Addie:-
Your must, long ere you receive
this, have heard of the fierce and bloody battle
we have just fought, and perhaps even now, you
are torturing your heart with the thought that
"perhaps Charlie is among the slain." Calm your
fears, my love, for I am alive and well--excepting
a very slight contusion upon my right arm.
I am ignorant as to what caused it, save that
was done in the engagement--and that it deprived
me of the use of it for the time being. It is with con=
siderable difficulty that I can write, but I will
try and give you some slight idea of what was done.
The battle lasted nearly two days, commencing
last Saturday. Our regt. was not engaged until Sun=
day afternoon. Until then the fight was confined
to artillery practice, with occasional skirmishing.
The enemy endeavored to out-flank us on our right, and
our brigade was ordered round to meet them, and
engage with the force supporting the rebel artillery, and
charge upon, and capture the battery, if possible.

[page 2]
We formed in column of Divisions, and advanced. We had
gone but about a third of a mile, when the fire opened
upon us from behind trees, rocks, and every kind of
concealment, before which many fell. Our company & Co. B.
was in front: & received the first fire. We received the
order to "charge-double-quick," and with a shout of
confidence, (I know not what else to term it,) we started.
The rebels still kept firing with telling accuracy, and
retreated as fast as they fired--but their number was
legion. The finally rallied behind a stone wall,
using it as a breast work, and we recieved the com=
mand to halt, and deploy into line of battle, as yet,
scarcely a shot was fired from our ranks, having
reserved it according to orders. Having formed, we
recieved the order to "fire," and then the carnage
was fearful. From half-past-five, until dark the
battle raged with increasing ferocity, but night
compelled the combatants to cease. Just before dusk
our regiment made a brilliant bayonet charge and
captured a splendid brass cannon--some say two.
Our boys fought bravely, almost desperately, and
the won the day. But such slaughter! I went
over a portion of the ground, and as far as I could see

[page 3]
the ground was strewed with the dead & dying. Of
our company but one was killed--Fred Groth--he
fell almost at the first fire, shot through the throat & neck--
We had seven wounded--they sere Capt Arper--
Stephen Bishop, Owen Gregory, James Hunt, Arthur Cavanah,
Wm. McClung and Dan. O'Connor. None mortally, I believe.

Dear Addie- you will pardon me if I do not now
give you the details, will you not?--They are so horrible.
My heart sickens to think of it. But I was calm &
self=possessed on the field--as I passed along. I would
recognize and acquaintance now and then, cold in
death. With horrible calmness--surprising now,--I
would examine their death wounds, and turn to
see but another,--I would see a surgeon extracting
an arm a bullet, another amputating an arm, packing
a wound or tying an artery--further on a group
of a dozen or two dead & dying lay in every conceivable
form, but what surprises me most, I did not hear a
single cry or groan until I arrived at the hospital.
How I escaped is a matter of wonder to me.
After my arm was hurt, I was ordered by the Colonel
to the rear, but I did not go. I wanted to see our boys
fight. as I lay exposed, the bullets, & shell of the
enemy struck around & over me & exploded in every

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direction, covering one with dirt and leaves, and
killing some on every side. Col. Creighton seemed to
bear a charmed life--wherever the fight was hottest
there he was to be seen cheering the men on to victory
Heals favorite pony Col "John Augustus" was shot under
him, but nothing daunted, he went on foot=The horse
is alive yet I believe. Col. Tyler, I must say
acted bravely--in fact, he has retrieved his character as
a Colonel--but he is Tyler yet. He knew he must
fight or be ruined, and acted desperately.
The regt. has covered itself with honor, and Co. H. merits its
share. I regret greatly that I could not go through with
them, but I could not, I could not raise my gun from
the ground, and even my pen feels like a log, and I
handle it clumsily. Will Braden is at Cumberland,
unwell, where he has been for some time. Geo. Moore was on
the field. I have four letters now from you to answer
& should have done so before now but for the past ten days
we have been on constant duty, marching, skirmishing
&c. But I will answer them as soon as is possible.
I love you more as I know you better, and your
letters inspire me with confidence & hope. Write very
often, and you know how your letters will be received.
I have also two charming little notes from Laurie
unanswered. Will my "dark eyed sister" be content
with reading this for a day or two? If so, I will answer them
as soon as I am able.
I will do as you requested in your last; and
say no more at present, trusting that at some future time
not a hundred years distant, I may be allowed (?)
Pardon me for this uninteresting sheet, for
I can scarcely hold my pen.
Write often, & tell Laurie to do so too
Give my love to all, and appropriate as much as
you please to Miss A[ddie]. L. Case.
I am Yours ever Charlie
Respects to Dora & others.
A prisoner captured, said they knew it was the
Seventh Ohio coming up, for they heard it was afraid
of nothing. Our brigade was engaged with
Lovings Irish brigade.

Charles N. Tenney, Private,Co. H., 7th Ohio Infantry

MSS 11616


Joel F. Asper of Co. H, later a Lieutenant Colonel