Letter from 27th Regiment - September 1862

Letter from Norman P. Brown of the 27th Regiment

Chenango American, October 9, 1862

Head Quarters Slocum's Division
Barkersvile, MD, Sept. 29, 1862

Eds. American:  Thinking yourselves and our friends would like to hear from the 27th Regiment, I drop you a few lines. After marching and fighting through Virginia, we embarked at Newport News on board the steamer John Brooks (about the 21st of August) bound for Aquia Creek, which place we reached on the morning of the 24th of Aug., where we were ordered to proceed to Alexandria, where we arrived at 3 P.M. same day.  After laying there a day or two we started for Centreville, and on the 30th arrived on the field of battle, a little too late for fighting, but in time to prevent stragglers from leaving the front, where they were very much needed; and on the 31st we took the front and remained there all day and night. On the morning of Sept. 1st we fell back in good order to Centreville, and from there back to Fairfax Seminary, near Alexandria, where we remained for a few days, when we left for Poolsville Maryland, where the enemy were said to be in large force.

After we started for Poolsville, the rebels had changed their position farther to the right, which of course changed our movements, which were to march to the right of Poolsville and follow up the enemy, which we did, until we engaged them on Sunday the 14th ult (At Crampton Gap near Burketsville) where one of the most severe battles of this war was fought. The enemy had a very strong position on the Mountain with plenty of Artillery.  Our, (Gen. Slocum's) division, charged up a very steep and craggy Mountain side, and after about three hours severe fighting, succeeded in completely routing them from their position, and drove them over the Mountain, capturing a large number of prisoners, and several pieces of artillery. This brilliant affair, charging up such a hill, and fighting at such a disadvantage against superior numbers, without the assistance of Artillery or Cavalry, has made for Gen. Slocum's Division a name long to be remembered.  The portion of this Division which was in the heaviest part of the engagement was the 2d Brigade consisting of the 27th and 16th N.Y. Volunteers, 5th Maine and 96th Penn., Regiments. This Brigade was commanded by Col. Joseph J. Bartlett, of the 27th N.Y., acting Brigadier General, whose brave and gallant conduct won him the highest esteem and praise of both officers and men. The gallant 27th was the first on the field, being deployed as skirmishers and supported by the balance of the Brigade, together with Gen. Newton's, and the Jersey Brigades (who did nobly, and whose loss was considerable) and succeeded as I said before, in routing and driving the enemy.  Night then set in and closed the scene of that day's bloody work.  The 27th went into the fight in good order, and have added another to their many brave deeds, and old Broome may well be proud of the 27th, as no troops could have behaved better; many of them fell on the field, and many more are wounded.  I am not able to give you a correct list at this time, of the killed and wounded of the several Regiments, as our wounded were taken to different Hospitals, and it is impossible to find them at present; but I learn that the loss of the Division in 514, but what proportion to each Brigade I cannot say.

On Wednesday morning, (17th) after a rest of two days, at 7 o'clock, we formed in line, and marched on to the extreme right of the battle field, where we were held as a reserve and did not get into the fight. We remained in that position until Friday morning, when we started in pursuit of the retreating enemy, who was flying before us towards the river. They threw away their arms, spiked their guns, and swam the river, and are now entirely out of Maryland.  In passing over the battle field of the 17th, a terrible sight met one's gaze.  Heaps upon heaps of dead rebels (though many had been buried) and men busy in carrying off the wounded.  Our loss at that battle was very heavy, but the enemy's loss much have been much larger.  I have not heard any estimate made of their loss, but have heard that 14,000 would cover the loss of the Union Army. All has been quiet for the past week.  What we are to do, or where we are going when we again move, is yet unknown. Rumor says we go to Hagerstown from here.  But all are willing to wait and trust "Little Mc" to make his arrangements for us.

Yours &c,  Norman P. Brown

http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/battles_cramptons_gap.html