Letter from Oscar Phelps
27th NY Infantry - Civil War
Chenango American, April 3, 1862
Camp Clara, near Alexandria, Va.
March 22, 1862
[The following letter is written by Oscar Phelps, a member of the 27th Regiment, formerly of this town [Greene, Chenango Co., NY])
Ever Remembered Friend: We received marching orders the 10th inst.; accordingly with sixty round of cartridges, two days rations and knapsacks, containing our blankets--little tents to be used on a march, and numerous other little necessaries, we moved forward toward the renowned giberalter of Virgin,a (Manassas).
Each man acted upon his own judgment carrying only what he could march rapidly with; of course some were able to carry more than others; I should think I carried nearly one hundred pounds, rifle, cartridges, rations, etc, etc. It rained nearly all day, but notwithstanding, we made a forced march of 18 miles the first day and encamped in Fairfax for the night, with thoughts that e're the sun went down the next night we would be engaged in a bloody battle at Centerville, where the rebels were supposed to be strongly entrenced. But you can imagine our surprise and vexation as the confirmed news came to us that the rebels had not only evacuated Centerville, but also Manassas.
As Wednesday came we were still encamped at Fairfax. I conlcuded to take a stroll over to the old battle ground at Bull Run, distant from Fairfax about 13 miles, the nearest way. Accordingly in company with a comrade I set out, reaching Centerville at 11 o'clock A.M. As we came within about 2 miles of that place, everything began to show with what skill and care the rebels had prepared the ground for a great battle. Centerville, heights were strongly fortified overlooking a sloping field comprising thousands of acres. As you stand on these heights what a splendid sight meets your gaze as you look far and wide nothing meets your notice of so notable appearances as the thousands of "secesh" barracks, in which the rebel army has quartered this winter. They have gone far ahead of us in winter quarters; this was necessary as those Southern fellows can't stand the cold like Northern Yankees, and I expect we can't stand the heat with them.
Everything between Centerville and Bull Run shewed that they had made a hasty flight; every little ways we came across a dead horse, sometimes four of five in one place, killed no doubt by hard driving in getting away. Everything showed that they lived well. I saw large quantities of meat that they had thrown away; their barracks were terrible filthy, which was doubtless the cause of their dying off so. Whether they have ever had any guns in their forts or not, I could not say; the inhabitants say they did not; the embrasures are now filled with large logs painted at the ends. On the way from Centerville to Bull Run, they burned and blew up two bridges.
I reached the old battle field a little past two o'clock. O! what a sight there was to be seen on that once bloody field; I trust that e're now some of our brave boys have been over the field and made a change, by burrying out of sight the bleaching bones of our brave comrades, that were then to be seen. Not a bullet, not a trophy of any kind could be found except the bones of our dead soldiers. The woods all around have been cut away for the purpose of getting the bullets that lodged in trees.
We are now waiting to embark down the river--expecting to go any hour. Troops are embarking night and day. Hoping to hear from you soon I'll bid you good bye.
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Oscar Phelps died of typhoid fever in Philadelphia on August 10, 1862. Another letter of his was posted to this blog September 6, 2019.
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