Saturday, September 22, 2012

1862 September 23 Camp on the Opequon River between Williamsport and Martinsburg

[from a transcript made by a descendant of the recipient William MCauley]

Dear William

                                                   I have been in several terrif-
ic battles since I saw you on the Rapahannock  We fought at
Manassas on Thursday, the great portion of the day Friday, and
the general engagement of Saturday (the 20th) commenced between
two & three o'clock p.m.  I never beheld such a scene.  After
the rout of the enemy the battle field was a dense cloud of
smoke and dust.  Their dead lay thick on the battle field.  It
was perfectly heart rending to go over the field.  Our loss was
heavy; that of the enemy must have been much greater.  On Sun-
day we had no fighting.

     On Monday (Sept. 1st) we overtook the enemy within five
miles of Fairfax C.H.  They mad a stand.  We drove them from
their position.  Our Battery that evening was within range of
the musket balls.  They came whistling by very rapidly.  From
there we went to Leesburg--about three miles from there, we
crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry.  We crossed into Mary-
land the fifth day of Sept.  On the sixth day we were warmly
received in Frederick City by the inhabitants.  We encamped
near there and remained until three o'clock Tuesday night.
Then we commenced our line of march.  We passed through
Middletown and Boonsborough and Williamsport.  At Williamsport
we crossed the Potomac into Virginia.  Thus you perceive our
stay in Maryland was of short duration.

  We arrived in the vicinity of Martinsburg on Friday the
12th.  The Yankees evacuated the place early Friday morning.
They went to Harper's Ferry.  On Saturday we went in pursuit of
them.  Was so arranged that we completely surrounded them.
General Ripley's Brigade of D.H. Hill's division held Maryland
Heights, while General Walker's division held Loudon Heights.
The enemy held Bolivar Heights--Now Jackson's forces in the
rear--you can perceive the Yankees were cannonaded from every
side. Saturday, Sunday and early morning.  The fighting was
done principally by Artillery--On Monday the 15th about
8 o'clock a.m. the enemy hoisted a white flag. thirteen
thousand five hundred Federals surrendered unconditionally.
We captured seventy-two pieces of artillery--a great many
stand of small arms, camp equipage, wagons, commissary stores,
and a great many negroes--It was a splendid as well as com-
plete victory on our part.

  Yet there was not rest of Jackson's men even after
having done all that.  Monday night about two o'clock we
took up our line of march for Maryland to assist Generals
Longstreet and D.H. Hill.  On Sunday (14th) General Hill
met with a reverse at Boonesboro, Md. Gen. McClellan was
marching upon him with his entire force.  General Longstreet
was at Hagerstown.  He did not get up in time to assist Hill.
to keep that position of our army from being cut to pieces

we had to hasten to assist.  Early Tuesday morning we crossed
the Potomac at the ford below Sheperdstown.  About twelve
o;clock we arrived near Sharpsburg.  We rested a few  hours,
then marched in battle array to the scene of action.  In the
place we stopped to rest the shells would burst now and then.
Our Battery was in position before dark.  Very soon a terrific
fire commenced on both sides.  It was complete fireworks. it
is frightful to fight after night. We fought an hour I suppose
We then succeeded in driving their Battery from its position.
Our infantry (not of our division) also made a charge and drove
their infantry back.  Our Battery was then ordered back a few
hundred yards to park for the night. With the exception of
skirmishers during the night everything was quiet.

    Next morning about daylight one of the most terrible
fights of the war commenced.  It lasted till dark.  Our Bat-
tery was under heavy fire most of the day. We lost a number
of horses killed and wounded. Some eight or ten men belong-
ing to the company were wounded, two very seriously, I hope
neither of them mortally.  None killed.  Our entire loss in
wounded is estimated by some physicians at ten thousand.  If
that is a true estimate I suppose our loss is about twelve
thousand.  We held the battle field till Thursday night.  Our
entire army then fell back over the Potomac.  Jackson's Corps
was in the rear.  We got over the river about eight a.m.
Friday.  Our train got over safe.  The Yankees pursued us.
After everything was over safe they threw shells across the
river at us, but with little effect.  On Friday some regiments

of infantry crossed.  Next morning they were driven back with
considerable loss. Many were killed and wounded in attempting
to recross.  Many of the wounded were drowned.  We captured
about three hundred.

  The most of our force are now encamped on this stream.
Our Division arrived here Saturday night about twelve o'clock.
We have been here since that time.  I have been in excellent
health up to Sunday.  Since that time I have not been well.---
I have been able to be about every day.  Everything has been
very quiet since Saturday.

  I know not ho long we will stay in this encampment.  I
don't care how soon we leave it.  I call it a miserable camp-
ing ground.  The general health of the army so far as I know
is good.  thus far the season has been remarkably dry.  Today
the rain is falling gently.  We may have a great deal of rain.
We may expect the Equinoctial storm.  Won't we have a gay time
of it!  Soldiers suffer when it rains a great deal or when it
is very cold.

  I have not seen anything of my clothes since we left the
camp at which those deserters were shot.  I have no change.
The way I do is take off my clothing, wash it and put it on
again.  It is pretty hard.  That however is the best I can do.

  I have not seen your brother since I saw you.  I suppose
he is still with the wagons.  I have determined to follow
Jackson as long as I am able.  He is a great Leader.

    Please give my best regards to your Father and Mother,
Sisters and brother.  Don't forget to write to me.  Give me
all the news.
                            Yours in kindness
                                   David

Address me thus:
      David Link
             1st Division
                 Jackson's Corps
                    1st Brigade Fa. Col.
                        Rockbridge Artillery
                            Care of Captain Poague

MSS 14953

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