1862 August 13 Culpeper C.H.

                     Culpeper C.H. Va Aug 13th 1862
My dear Addie.--
                             I embrace the first opportunity
I have to write you to assure you of my perfect
safety.  You have heard of the great battle of
the 9th and must be anxious to learn of my fate.
I escaped without a scratch, and am grateful to
God for  his mercy.  I knew when I wrote you
last that when an engagement should occur that
we should be sent to the front, but I could not
tell you, for I knew you would suffer so much
on my account.  Now that the battle is over,
the rebels in full retreat, and only 109 men
left in the noble old 7th I can tell you.  Gen.
Pope said he wanted Tyler's Brigade (now Geary's)
in the front "to set an example to the eastern troops"
and nobly has the example been set.
Our Regt went into the fight 290 strong, &
came out with 104.  Co. H. went in with 32
and came out with 18.  Malcom Eckenshoud, Calvert
Miller, Wm. McClurg and Byron Swisher were killed

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Charley Brooks, Lieut Braden, Lieut Eaton, George Minn
Corp. Trinner, Fox, Glendenning, Inskeep, Kincaid, Lentz,
Murray, Overmire, Jno. Pollock, Shaffer (14) were wounded.
        Perhaps I owe my safety to Col. Creighton and Lieut.
King[?]  after I had fired about 12 rounds they came to
me and ordered me to take off the Col's horse (our present)
which was sounded.  I did not want to go, but the
Col. said he could not trust the horse with a wounded
man, and that I must go, so I came off the field unhurt.
       I cannot bear to give you the details in this letter but
will in my next.  George Moore was slightly hurt
in the head, but not dangerously
        I received two letters from you on the 11th which
I will answer tonight or tomorrow.  Until now I
could not get a piece of paper, or any other stationery, or
I would have written sooner.   I also received a letter
from Laurie.  I have written her, and she has received
it.  But we have orders to move so I must
close for a while.  Our Brigade is here in town,
and will not  have to take the front again, and I
think we will not have to fight for a long time again
at least I hope not.

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     Remember me to Dora.  Has she answered
my letter?
       May God bless you and preserve you
    is the prayer of your devoted
                                            Charley
I send you a little note I received from Moore
this morning, which will tell you how bad [w]as his hurt.
They have moved the wounded of our Co to Washington
so I have not seen them.
     I send you a few particulars from the
Baltimore Clipper

Charles Tenney, 7th Ohio Infantry

MSS 11616