Letter from Civil War Soldier - March 1862

Letter from Civil War Soldier

On The March

Chenango American, March 27, 1862

Camp Union Mills, Va.
Manassas, Bull Run, March 14, 1862

Dear*****, Here I am in the strong hold of the "invincible" Southern Chivalry.  Our Division, consisting of 12 Regiments of Infantry, 3 Batteries and 2 Regiments of Cavalry, amounting to, all told, of men, about 12,000, reached this place Wednesday night. We left Camp California last Monday morning. It commenced raining just as we left Camp, and rained until night, when it cleared up. The march was a very hard one on account of the heavy roads, part of the way the road was new and through the woods, having been made by our Pioneers. The first day we marched only about 12 miles. We camped that night at "Brimstone Hill" Camp "Monitor."  We took up the line of march early the next morning, and marched 4 miles, where we again encamped until the next morning and then marched to this place "Bull Run." It was expected by all that we should have to fight our way through to this place, but we were mistaken, and disappointed. We did not see a Secesh, and in fact we hardly saw any human beings; no cattle, nor anything else that constitutes civilization.   The farms are stripped of everything in the way of eatables for man or beast.  It is the most poverty struck country you ever saw.  The fences have all been burnt up, and there is no chance to raise any crops this season.  I was speaking to the old lady that keeps the house where our headquarters are, and asking her the price of provisions, etc.  For common brown sugar, 25 cts. per pound; Tea, $2; Coffee, $1.25; Butter, 75 cts. and other provision in this ratio to the end of the chapter.  

This boasted strong hold, Manassas, is only strong by nature.  The rebel  works and fortifications are said to be (by our General) the poorest he ever saw.  They are nothing more than breast works of earh thrown up about breast high and rifle pits.  The rebels must have left here in a great hurry, as they have left behind thousands of dollars worth of property of every description, tents, camp equipage, muskets, pistols, sabres, cooking utensils, etc, all burnt so as to be useless.  They also left a good deal of forage, such as corn meal and bran mixed and some hay. The rebels promised to pay for what they got, but went away and forgot to do so.  Contrabands are coming into camp in considerable numbers.  A great many of the officers have taken them for servants.  All the contrabands have large packs of clothing, which they have picked up.  You can follow the army by the clothing which is scattered along the road.  There are loads of every description, which the soldiers have thrown away on the march, being too tired to carry them.  I am writing this scrawl just as I can find time.  I am called off every few minutes. 

I have some relics obtained from the rebels which I intend to bring back.  The 61st N.Y. Vol. got two beautiful rebel flags and other things at one of the rebel camps.

An accident has just occurred in the 81st Penn. Vol. by the discharge of a musket.  Three men were wounded, one mortally; also one of the Illinois Cavalry men shot himself accidentally and spoilt his arm.

Before we left Camp California (five days ago) our whole Division, with the exception of 2 Regiments, were ordered out toward Fairfax Station.  The enemy were there in some considerable force.  Our Division went within two miles of their encampment, and the pickets exchanged compliments several times in the way of firing at each other.  

One of the Sergeants of the 64th N.Y.S.V. with four men were out on picket and were concealed in the ruins of an old log hut; while there they saw a man riding towards them.  The Sergt. ordered his men to keep concealed and to be ready while he went out to challenge him. As the man came up the Sergt. went out and challenged with the out post countersign signal, the party challenged returned in answer, the reply to the countersign of the day before. As it was not correct the Sergt. ordered him to dismount and lay down his arms. The man in reply was very insolent and told him that he would not lay down his arms for any d...d Yankee, and turned his horse to go; at this the Sergt, ordered his men to fire which they did and killed him and his horse.  His body was taken in to camp and upon him they found a pass form General Beauregard, allowing him to pass anywhere in the Southern Confederacy.  It appears he was a spy and from his actions he must have been pretty familiar with our camps.  His arms consisted of two splendid navy revolvers, a dragoon sabre, a bowie knife.

I could relate to you many little anecdotes which would probably amuse and interest you, but I shall not have time now.  I enclose in this letter which I picked up here; it was directed to a private in some regiment.

I am now for a wonder alone at head quarters, the General and his staff having gone out riding. The news has just been brought in that Gen. Richardson has been appointed to the command of this Division. Gen. Sumner has been appointed to some other command.

An officer has just come in and says that he has discovered about a hundred barrels of flour and wants teams to go and draw it into camp.  I can't tell you all that is taking place, but will write to you as soon as I can. We shall probably march from here tomorrow.

It is quite chilly today but still it looks Spring like. We got the Philadelphia and New York papers, beside many others daily, so we keep posted up on outside matters.  Our Brig-Quartermaster ahs came in from a scout for forage and says he saw four dead bodies laying in the field; they were rebel soldiers.  

Yours truly, F.W.G.