[from the diary of Lt. John Tyler of Letcher's Artillery as written at a somewhat later date]
At 2 ½ o’c (Aug. 28th) We were in
motion towards Centreville & by daylight
Manassas was evacuated. Passed through
Centreville at 10 o’c, making an acute
angle came down the Warrenton
turnpike, crossed Bull Run in after-
-noon & when near Grovetown were attacked
by the enemy, but getting into line of bat-
-tle drove them back some distance till
dark prevented our going for them. Slept
on battlefield that night.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 6150
Monday, August 27, 2012
1862 August 28 Camp near Paw Paw,Va.
Camp near Paw Paw Va
Aug 28th 1862
Dear Brothers
I am in receipt of your
welcome letters & hasten an answer.
I am well & hope that these few lines may
find you the same. I am glad to hear that
you were getting along so well with
your work but you do not say any thing about
making hay. Have you made all your
hay; if not you ought to see to it
immediately. It is to your interest to cut all
the grass on the farm; and to be very sav-
ing of all the crops. These are war-times
and I assure you, that harder-times are
comeing and it becomes us all to
be saving and look-out for No. 1.
You must do up your fall plowing
so that you will be ready when spring
comes again to sow your grain
Fix up you stables stout & warm
Cover the granery another thickness
so that the wheat will not get wet
Save your Seed Wheat & Seed-corn
and do not forget to save enough
of both Be saving of the apples and
do not let anything be wasted on the farm.
[page 2]
Now I do not wish you to work because it
interests me only for it does not
but I want you to work for your
own interests. Remember, boys, that
you are doing for yourselves and
that every dime you spend you are
spending your own money. Every dollar
counts one now-a-days. I am saving
of my money here merely because I
think you need it at home. I do not
spend any money except to pay Postage.
I would like to see you all very much but
can not. I shall stay in the Army until
peace is declared--let the time be long
or short,unless something should
happen more than I know of now----
You must not wish me back home but write
to me often and when you write always tell
me all the particulars, Give me the names of
those gone to War Since I came away and where
they are now. All about the school marms &c
I must bid you good Bye Boys Markle
how would you like to come where Hank
is and be a soldier? Nelson you could not stand
the hardships but Markle can. Markle tell me whether
you want to come or not and if Mother will let
you come you can get 13 dollars per month. Good
Bye Brothers Affectionately W H Redman
Write Soon
Direct to Martinsburg Va.
12th Ills. Cav.Co. C
Dear Mother
I was very much plea-
sed to receive your letter and to
learn of good health at home.
My health has been good for
some time. We are pretty actively
engaged, scouting through the moun-
tains just now, and consequently
I do not have much time to write.
We are encamped here without any
Camp Equipage. I have no ink or
Pen with me hence my penciling.
We catch Dome Guerillas nearly every
day. I helped to take twelve on the
night of the 23rd inst. Yesterday we
caught three; and to-day we are resting,
will probably go out Scouting again
this evening. These mountains are very rough
and very thinly inhabited. Farmers are generally
wealthy and have plenty of fruit of all
kinds. We live partly off of the cittizens.
When out Scouting, we call for
grub and the Women get it with
out hesitation and Some-times we
get the best of victuals. Our rations
that Uncle Sam furnishes us are
Substantial and good enough
for a Soldier, yet we have no
conveniences to cook them and
[page 2]
consequently they do not do us as much
good as in the old camp at Martinsburg.
We are now camped about ten rods from
the Potomac River, which is a very nice
stream. We are in bathing nearly all the
time that we are in camp, unless it
be in the night time. The Cars run within
30 feet from where my horse stands.
Trains are passing hourly loaded
with Soldiers from Ohio and Penn.
The train was attacked by a band of
Guerillas near Winchester on Sunday
last. I have been at Winchester once.
5 prisoners were taken and the whole
train burned up. I cannot tell you anything
about our future movements. It is im
possible to tell anything about what we shall have
to do. A great many orders are issued and
countermanded. At least all goes well
with us thus far. Mother what do you think
of letting Markle come along with me?
He can get 13 dollars per month and learn
more than in school. I will see to his wel
fare and will have him dated back to the first
of the month so that he can get all the
bounties & advantage of an enlistment
then. Probably Wooley will come here.
These are hard times and Money is money
and it becomes us all to be economising.
Not to go in debt & get across best as
we can. I think that I can send you
some money soon. I have 4 months pay
due me. Mother, be careful about going [in] debt
at the Stores. You better pay as you go.
Please write soon. With much Respect W.H.R.
Excuse mistakes. I will write the girls soon.
[in right hand margin of page 2]
Please give me particulars about debts--all of them.
[upside down in top margin of page 2]
Tell the girls to write. Jane and Em write often.
William H. Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry
MSS 7415
Aug 28th 1862
Dear Brothers
I am in receipt of your
welcome letters & hasten an answer.
I am well & hope that these few lines may
find you the same. I am glad to hear that
you were getting along so well with
your work but you do not say any thing about
making hay. Have you made all your
hay; if not you ought to see to it
immediately. It is to your interest to cut all
the grass on the farm; and to be very sav-
ing of all the crops. These are war-times
and I assure you, that harder-times are
comeing and it becomes us all to
be saving and look-out for No. 1.
You must do up your fall plowing
so that you will be ready when spring
comes again to sow your grain
Fix up you stables stout & warm
Cover the granery another thickness
so that the wheat will not get wet
Save your Seed Wheat & Seed-corn
and do not forget to save enough
of both Be saving of the apples and
do not let anything be wasted on the farm.
[page 2]
Now I do not wish you to work because it
interests me only for it does not
but I want you to work for your
own interests. Remember, boys, that
you are doing for yourselves and
that every dime you spend you are
spending your own money. Every dollar
counts one now-a-days. I am saving
of my money here merely because I
think you need it at home. I do not
spend any money except to pay Postage.
I would like to see you all very much but
can not. I shall stay in the Army until
peace is declared--let the time be long
or short,unless something should
happen more than I know of now----
You must not wish me back home but write
to me often and when you write always tell
me all the particulars, Give me the names of
those gone to War Since I came away and where
they are now. All about the school marms &c
I must bid you good Bye Boys Markle
how would you like to come where Hank
is and be a soldier? Nelson you could not stand
the hardships but Markle can. Markle tell me whether
you want to come or not and if Mother will let
you come you can get 13 dollars per month. Good
Bye Brothers Affectionately W H Redman
Write Soon
Direct to Martinsburg Va.
12th Ills. Cav.Co. C
Dear Mother
I was very much plea-
sed to receive your letter and to
learn of good health at home.
My health has been good for
some time. We are pretty actively
engaged, scouting through the moun-
tains just now, and consequently
I do not have much time to write.
We are encamped here without any
Camp Equipage. I have no ink or
Pen with me hence my penciling.
We catch Dome Guerillas nearly every
day. I helped to take twelve on the
night of the 23rd inst. Yesterday we
caught three; and to-day we are resting,
will probably go out Scouting again
this evening. These mountains are very rough
and very thinly inhabited. Farmers are generally
wealthy and have plenty of fruit of all
kinds. We live partly off of the cittizens.
When out Scouting, we call for
grub and the Women get it with
out hesitation and Some-times we
get the best of victuals. Our rations
that Uncle Sam furnishes us are
Substantial and good enough
for a Soldier, yet we have no
conveniences to cook them and
[page 2]
consequently they do not do us as much
good as in the old camp at Martinsburg.
We are now camped about ten rods from
the Potomac River, which is a very nice
stream. We are in bathing nearly all the
time that we are in camp, unless it
be in the night time. The Cars run within
30 feet from where my horse stands.
Trains are passing hourly loaded
with Soldiers from Ohio and Penn.
The train was attacked by a band of
Guerillas near Winchester on Sunday
last. I have been at Winchester once.
5 prisoners were taken and the whole
train burned up. I cannot tell you anything
about our future movements. It is im
possible to tell anything about what we shall have
to do. A great many orders are issued and
countermanded. At least all goes well
with us thus far. Mother what do you think
of letting Markle come along with me?
He can get 13 dollars per month and learn
more than in school. I will see to his wel
fare and will have him dated back to the first
of the month so that he can get all the
bounties & advantage of an enlistment
then. Probably Wooley will come here.
These are hard times and Money is money
and it becomes us all to be economising.
Not to go in debt & get across best as
we can. I think that I can send you
some money soon. I have 4 months pay
due me. Mother, be careful about going [in] debt
at the Stores. You better pay as you go.
Please write soon. With much Respect W.H.R.
Excuse mistakes. I will write the girls soon.
[in right hand margin of page 2]
Please give me particulars about debts--all of them.
[upside down in top margin of page 2]
Tell the girls to write. Jane and Em write often.
William H. Redman, Co. C., 12th Illinois Cavalry
MSS 7415
1862 August 28 Carver Hospital, Washington, D.C.
Carver Hospital
Meridian Hill
Washington DC
Aug 28th
/62
My Dear Brother
It has been
some days since I received
your letter in connection with
Dr. Conner's (Russell's [?]) letter
to you. Russell is a fine
Surgeon, and also a fine
man, beloved by both soldier
and citizen, he is in New
York at his home, just now
and another takes his place
his name I cannot recall
now. Well, about the matter
I was speaking to you about
[page 2]
in my last. I have suc-
ceeded in otaining [sic] a situation
as Nurse in the same ward
where I have been since my
stay in "C E. F", so the building
seems quite like home. I
was detailed, as Ward-Master
of No. 17 South Side, on Wed-
nesday 13th the day on which
all extra duty men were or-
dered to their respective Regts,
and convalescents, to take their
places. At that time there were
but 4 patients, besides myself,
and all of them pretty nearly
well. so the Dr ordered the
war evacuated, a few days
after this, and wished it
througly cleaned, and white
washed, and ordered me
[page 3]
me[sic] to superintend the fitting
up the same. I had staid there
but two or three days when, one
afternoon on looking up from
reading I saw a train of
ambulances close by and
the Doctors with it, then I knew
that there was work for me
& threw open all the doors,
opened the windows, and wait=
ed the Drs orders. He soon came
with the order to make
ready 30 beds, and pretty
soon twenty worn out soldiers
from Popes Army came limping
and groaning[?] in to my ward.
It has been a hard
job to get everything to going
right, but the men are
improving now, quite just
[page 4]
under the skilled [word lined through]
care of Dr. Roberts, and he thinks
good nursing of you brother
and his assistant Last night
the boys were quite poorly, some
six,or eight here very sick, so
that I dared not trust the
other nurse with the medicin
but set up all night attending
upon them. I have one very
sick man from the 30th Ohio,
he has had the Chronic Dirrhea
for eight months and is mostly
but skin and bones. I have
had a very hard [?]
[?] but will make it easier
when I get the assistant whom
I [wish?] I do not know how
long Iwill may the remain
here,but write at all events
and direct as heretofore, and
you will greatly oblige
Your Affect Brother
A.S. Bartholomew
Ward 17
Love to all
MSS 10908
Meridian Hill
Washington DC
Aug 28th
/62
My Dear Brother
It has been
some days since I received
your letter in connection with
Dr. Conner's (Russell's [?]) letter
to you. Russell is a fine
Surgeon, and also a fine
man, beloved by both soldier
and citizen, he is in New
York at his home, just now
and another takes his place
his name I cannot recall
now. Well, about the matter
I was speaking to you about
[page 2]
in my last. I have suc-
ceeded in otaining [sic] a situation
as Nurse in the same ward
where I have been since my
stay in "C E. F", so the building
seems quite like home. I
was detailed, as Ward-Master
of No. 17 South Side, on Wed-
nesday 13th the day on which
all extra duty men were or-
dered to their respective Regts,
and convalescents, to take their
places. At that time there were
but 4 patients, besides myself,
and all of them pretty nearly
well. so the Dr ordered the
war evacuated, a few days
after this, and wished it
througly cleaned, and white
washed, and ordered me
[page 3]
me[sic] to superintend the fitting
up the same. I had staid there
but two or three days when, one
afternoon on looking up from
reading I saw a train of
ambulances close by and
the Doctors with it, then I knew
that there was work for me
& threw open all the doors,
opened the windows, and wait=
ed the Drs orders. He soon came
with the order to make
ready 30 beds, and pretty
soon twenty worn out soldiers
from Popes Army came limping
and groaning[?] in to my ward.
It has been a hard
job to get everything to going
right, but the men are
improving now, quite just
[page 4]
under the skilled [word lined through]
care of Dr. Roberts, and he thinks
good nursing of you brother
and his assistant Last night
the boys were quite poorly, some
six,or eight here very sick, so
that I dared not trust the
other nurse with the medicin
but set up all night attending
upon them. I have one very
sick man from the 30th Ohio,
he has had the Chronic Dirrhea
for eight months and is mostly
but skin and bones. I have
had a very hard [?]
[?] but will make it easier
when I get the assistant whom
I [wish?] I do not know how
long I
here,but write at all events
and direct as heretofore, and
you will greatly oblige
Your Affect Brother
A.S. Bartholomew
Ward 17
Love to all
MSS 10908
1862 August 28 Camp Lyon
Camp Lyon Va. Aug. 28th/62
Dear parents
I have sated long and anxiously for
a letter from you but have recieved none since I returned
from Richmond, and for a long time before. I recieved the
last letter from you at White House landing sometime in
June and I have heard but very little news from home since
I hear ,by way of Sam D. that you got a letter from me while
I was a prisoner and the Capt. told me you wrote to him to find
out where I was this is all I have heard from you since June
you can judge from your own feelings how I have felt by
not hearing from you I hope if you have not written that
you will write as soon as you get this without fail tell me
all the particulars how you get along. My health is not very
good I am not fit for duty. I am afraid I have got a disease on
the kidneys the doctors will not tell me what ails me but
they say I am not able to do duty, my victuals distress me
very bad I have told the Capt I wanted my discharge but
but [sic] he does not do any thing about it. For the past three weeks
McClellan's army had had a long hard march from Harrissons
landing to Newport News where they took the transports and
came up to reinforce Pope our division has stoped here for
the present and we may stop here for some time we are
now camped near the old fort Lyon that we helped build
and according to appearances I think we shall be stationed
here. War matters look dark and gloomy at present the rebels
are getting very bold but I think our army will soon teach
them a lesson they have never yet learned we are all
anxiously waiting the result of this campain which if
successfull will do a great deal twords closing the war
If I had known this war would have continued so long
I should not have left home for I have come to the
conclusion that it was my duty to stay at home but the
error cannot now be corrected, The new Regts are arriving
I have seen some of the members of the 16th Me. but I have
not heard where the 17th is yet I should be glad to see
some of them if I could find them I may be lucky
[page 2]
enough to find them yet I cannot write much
this time and there is no news of importance to write
do not fail to write me all the particulars how you
are getting along and if you need any more money
tell me so and I will send it to you I am getting tired
and must close Tell Walter I think of him quite
often and he must try and take care of the things
and make the steers grow up as fast as he can
From your son
Hiram M. Cash
Hiram Cash, Co. K, 5th Maine
MSS 12916
Dear parents
I have sated long and anxiously for
a letter from you but have recieved none since I returned
from Richmond, and for a long time before. I recieved the
last letter from you at White House landing sometime in
June and I have heard but very little news from home since
I hear ,by way of Sam D. that you got a letter from me while
I was a prisoner and the Capt. told me you wrote to him to find
out where I was this is all I have heard from you since June
you can judge from your own feelings how I have felt by
not hearing from you I hope if you have not written that
you will write as soon as you get this without fail tell me
all the particulars how you get along. My health is not very
good I am not fit for duty. I am afraid I have got a disease on
the kidneys the doctors will not tell me what ails me but
they say I am not able to do duty, my victuals distress me
very bad I have told the Capt I wanted my discharge but
but [sic] he does not do any thing about it. For the past three weeks
McClellan's army had had a long hard march from Harrissons
landing to Newport News where they took the transports and
came up to reinforce Pope our division has stoped here for
the present and we may stop here for some time we are
now camped near the old fort Lyon that we helped build
and according to appearances I think we shall be stationed
here. War matters look dark and gloomy at present the rebels
are getting very bold but I think our army will soon teach
them a lesson they have never yet learned we are all
anxiously waiting the result of this campain which if
successfull will do a great deal twords closing the war
If I had known this war would have continued so long
I should not have left home for I have come to the
conclusion that it was my duty to stay at home but the
error cannot now be corrected, The new Regts are arriving
I have seen some of the members of the 16th Me. but I have
not heard where the 17th is yet I should be glad to see
some of them if I could find them I may be lucky
[page 2]
enough to find them yet I cannot write much
this time and there is no news of importance to write
do not fail to write me all the particulars how you
are getting along and if you need any more money
tell me so and I will send it to you I am getting tired
and must close Tell Walter I think of him quite
often and he must try and take care of the things
and make the steers grow up as fast as he can
From your son
Hiram M. Cash
Hiram Cash, Co. K, 5th Maine
MSS 12916
1862 August 28 near Gainesville, Va.
[from the diary of Private Ephraim A. Wood, Co. C., 13th Massachusetts]
Thursday Aug 28th/62
At day light we were called
up, not having had but one hour
and a half to sleep.
We marched to Hay Market.
Before we got to Hay Market, the
colum moved so slow and I was
so tired and sleepy that I layed
down under a shady tree and
went to sleep. I must have
slept a number of hours for
when I awoke the rear guard was
just going by. They said the
Rebels were not a great ways
behind. I marched on as
rapidly as possible. After going
two miles which brought me
to New Market, I found that our
Brigade had left their Knapsacks
and had gone to the Gap distance
four miles (Thorougherfair) to keep
in check some Rebels that were
there. The other Brigades were
throwing off their Knapsacks
and marching to the Gap.
I had got within two miles
of the Gap when I heard the report
of Musketry. When I got to the Gap
I did not know where my Reg.
was. Some one told me it was in
the Gap and I came very near
running right into the hands
of the Rebels. I went into the
woods, on the right and found
two Regts of the Brigade having
it hot and heavy I went in with
them but did not get a chance
to fire but one shot. I was so
afraid of shooting some of our own
men. The balls came thick and
fast, through some blunder. Some
of a Virginia Regt (Federal) and some of
our Brigade got to firing upon each
other, it being in the woods, it
was very easy to make such a
mistake. I thought I would get
out of such a scrape and try and
find my own Regt, which I found
on the left, laying behind a hill.
Our Gen was very foolish to lead his
men in such a place without knowing
the place, and what force he had
to contend with, a thousand men
in that Gap could keep back nearly
twenty thousand. (Gen. Hardsuff is sick
and Col Stiles had command of Brigade)
Gen. Ricketts is in command of the
Division, which is composed of
four Brigades. While on the right with those
in the woods I saw some terrible wounds,
one poor fellow had both under eye lids
of his eyes torn down nearly two inches.
How a ball could make such a wound
I do not see. After laying behind the
hill a short time we were ordered back
to a woods about two hundred yards to the
rear. In going across the field Sergeant
Lemoyne of this Company was
wounded in the hip. We had been in
the woods but a short time when we
were marched back to Hay Market, got
their Knapsack, and marched three
miles, and Bivouack near Ganesville.
In the affair at the Gap Private
Clark of Co. E was killed, Corporal
Jackson Co. E was wounded and since
died. Private Robins of Co D. wounded
and has since died and from five to
eight wounded.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12021
Thursday Aug 28th/62
At day light we were called
up, not having had but one hour
and a half to sleep.
We marched to Hay Market.
Before we got to Hay Market, the
colum moved so slow and I was
so tired and sleepy that I layed
down under a shady tree and
went to sleep. I must have
slept a number of hours for
when I awoke the rear guard was
just going by. They said the
Rebels were not a great ways
behind. I marched on as
rapidly as possible. After going
two miles which brought me
to New Market, I found that our
Brigade had left their Knapsacks
and had gone to the Gap distance
four miles (Thorougherfair) to keep
in check some Rebels that were
there. The other Brigades were
throwing off their Knapsacks
and marching to the Gap.
I had got within two miles
of the Gap when I heard the report
of Musketry. When I got to the Gap
I did not know where my Reg.
was. Some one told me it was in
the Gap and I came very near
running right into the hands
of the Rebels. I went into the
woods, on the right and found
two Regts of the Brigade having
it hot and heavy I went in with
them but did not get a chance
to fire but one shot. I was so
afraid of shooting some of our own
men. The balls came thick and
fast, through some blunder. Some
of a Virginia Regt (Federal) and some of
our Brigade got to firing upon each
other, it being in the woods, it
was very easy to make such a
mistake. I thought I would get
out of such a scrape and try and
find my own Regt, which I found
on the left, laying behind a hill.
Our Gen was very foolish to lead his
men in such a place without knowing
the place, and what force he had
to contend with, a thousand men
in that Gap could keep back nearly
twenty thousand. (Gen. Hardsuff is sick
and Col Stiles had command of Brigade)
Gen. Ricketts is in command of the
Division, which is composed of
four Brigades. While on the right with those
in the woods I saw some terrible wounds,
one poor fellow had both under eye lids
of his eyes torn down nearly two inches.
How a ball could make such a wound
I do not see. After laying behind the
hill a short time we were ordered back
to a woods about two hundred yards to the
rear. In going across the field Sergeant
Lemoyne of this Company was
wounded in the hip. We had been in
the woods but a short time when we
were marched back to Hay Market, got
their Knapsack, and marched three
miles, and Bivouack near Ganesville.
In the affair at the Gap Private
Clark of Co. E was killed, Corporal
Jackson Co. E was wounded and since
died. Private Robins of Co D. wounded
and has since died and from five to
eight wounded.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 12021
1862 August 28 Alexandria,Va.
[from the diary of Charles Hay of the 23rd Ohio]
Alexandria, Va., Aug. 28. 1862.
Yesterday afternoon, Paymaster Newell gave
us a visit, and, before leaving presented
all of us with some “green backs,” which
come very convenient just now.
McClellan’s grand army, direct from the
Peninsula, landed at Alexandria today, and
marched out in front of town, in the
direction of Manassas. They look as though
they had seen hard service, as their thinned
ranks will testify. The “Grand Army” which
was, six months ago, our pride and boast,
comes back to us after a hard summer’s
campaign among the malarious swamps of the
Chickahominy, a mere remnant; defeated, but
not conquered. – In searching for some
acquaintances, I walked over three miles
directly out of the city, and camps, as
thick as they could be, lined the road on either
side, the entire way, and as far as I could see.
The 11th. & 12th. O.V.I. had a fight at Manassas yes=
=terday with a superior force, and retired after obstinate
fighting nearly all day, with a loss of over 100, all told.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 13925
Yesterday afternoon, Paymaster Newell gave
us a visit, and, before leaving presented
all of us with some “green backs,” which
come very convenient just now.
McClellan’s grand army, direct from the
Peninsula, landed at Alexandria today, and
marched out in front of town, in the
direction of Manassas. They look as though
they had seen hard service, as their thinned
ranks will testify. The “Grand Army” which
was, six months ago, our pride and boast,
comes back to us after a hard summer’s
campaign among the malarious swamps of the
Chickahominy, a mere remnant; defeated, but
not conquered. – In searching for some
acquaintances, I walked over three miles
directly out of the city, and camps, as
thick as they could be, lined the road on either
side, the entire way, and as far as I could see.
The 11th. & 12th. O.V.I. had a fight at Manassas yes=
=terday with a superior force, and retired after obstinate
fighting nearly all day, with a loss of over 100, all told.
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]
MSS 13925
1862 August 28 Alexandria, Va.
[from the diary of James Dinsmore Templeton, musician and private in the 23rd Ohio]
Thursday, Aug. 28, 1862
This morning went
to work to secure discharge
Col Hayes refuses to allow
us to go unless compelled
to. Arthur saw Cox Went to
an attorney & got statement
to present to Cox Col Hayes is
to sign it. A great many
troops passing through
lay about this afternoon
were not allowed out
several men brought in
drunk. Saw this afternoon
Milt Pollock & Jonas[?] &
_____ of the 59th N.Y.
Troops passing through &
batteries of Artillery
A shower of rain came
up this afternoon & we
got our Tents pitched the
Sibly mostly clear
MSS 10317
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)