Letter from the New York 152d Regiment - November 1862
Chenango American, November 13, 1862
Camp Marcy, 7 miles from Washington
November 10, 1862
Eds. American--Here we are with our tents pitched upon the soil of Washington's native State, and near the hallowed spot where now repose his sacred ashes. Virginia! What empires of thought that single word suggests. At all over our unhappy land, tremble with grief and dismay. There is scarcely a person, either North or South, who cannot point to Virginia as the last resting place of some cherished friend. Yet more must experience the sad fate of those whose blood now mingles with the waters of the Potomac, and whose bleaching bones lie scattered along its shores. More mothers must weep. Fathers, who beheld their sons flushed with feelings of manly pride and strength, go forth to battle for their country's honor, will yet have their hearts wrung with unutterable anguish. Sisters, wives and mothers, who have heretofore only worn the gay apparel of joy and fashion, will, ere this unhallowed war is done, put on the dark habiliments of woe. But the day will yet dawn upon this long, dreary night, and more behold the bright sun rolling through the unclouded ether. Our liberties will then seem dearer, our national honor and integrity more worthy to be sustained for having been again baptized in streams of blood.
Our regiment left Camp Schuyler for Washington two weeks ago last Tuesday, a day long to be remembered by the people of Herkimer County. We "formed into line" about 12 past 12 and at 1 o'clock started for the depot at Herkimer. Long before we moved from our campground a crowd began to collect around the depot, and by the time we arrived it number some five thousand. As soon as we reached the Station we were ordered aboard the cars. Finally, after some delay, all things were ready, and the shrill shriek of the engine announced to grief stricken friends that the moment had arrived for our departure. The last farewell was said, the last cherished accent of love was whispered, and, amid the tears and sobs of agonizing hearts, the train moved slowly out of the village. At Little Falls the train was stopped and we were permitted to bid many of our friends farewell, who had assembled there "to see the regiment off." After leaving Little Falls nothing of importance occurred till we reached Albany. Here the citizens had provided a fine lunch, which was relished so well, that scarcely a crumb remained to tell the story of a soldier's appetite. At 11 o'clock we took the cars on the Hudson River railroad for New York, at which place we arrived about 11 o 'clock the next day. We were marched to the Park Barracks, where we stayed over night, and at 1 o'clock the following day, left for Philadelphia, where we arrived at 9 o'clock that evening. This city will be cherished in grateful remembrance by every soldier who is so fortunate as to pass through it.
On our arrival we were conducted into a long hall where a bountiful repast was set before us. Here ensued a similar scene to that enacted in Albany, only "a great deal more so" as we had eaten nothing since morning. I know of no place where the fire of true patriotism burns so brightly as in Philadelphia. No where have I seen such self sacrificing devotion to our common cause as I found exhibited by the ladies of this city. They could not do too much for the soldier's comfort, nor say too much for his consolation. They even urge their friends to "gird on the armor," and go forth from their homes of luxury and quietude to assist in putting down this infamous rebellion. when the hour for our departure arrived, with tears streaming down their cheeks, many came to us and taking us by the hand, bid us God speed, promising to remember us in their petitions to the Throne of Grace. Such patriotism and such interest as they manifested in our future welfare and success could not fail to make a deep impression on the mind of the soldier, and each one, as he bid them good bye, exclaimed in his heart, if not with his tongue, "God bless the ladies of Philadelphia!"
Between Philadelphia and Baltimore an accident happened, which threw a gloom over us all and especially over Co. F. As the cars started from Wilmington, Del., a young man in our Company by the name of Seymour A. Smith, in endeavoring to get upon the cars, which he had left a moment, missed his hold and fell, throwing his left arm right across the track. Two cars ran over him, before he was able to extricate himself. He than ran forward. When the accident was discovered, the train stopped, and he taken aboard. It was found that his arm was crushed in a fearful manner, his right thumb smashed, and his left shoulder badly injured. He was left at Havre de Grace, where his arm was amputated. My bother was detailed to stay with him, until his father, who was telegraphed to at once, could arrive. His father arrived on Sunday morning at 2 o'clock, but only to witness the death of his son on the following Wednesday. The effect of this calamity, so sudden, so unexpected, upon his large circle of friends, may be imagined more easily than described. When he enlisted he was Professor of Latin and Greek in Fairfield Seminary, and as a teacher he was widely known as a ripe scholar, an exemplary Christian and a kind instructor. But he has gone the way of all the living; yet the memory of our friend is enshrined in our hearts and embalmed in the recollection of his many virtues.
At Baltimore I saw a number of my friends and acquaintances, belonging to the 114th Regiment. They were well and hearty. The "Greene Boys" were especially favored in this respect. Camp life changes the looks of a person much. Some of the boys looked more fleshy than when I saw them last in Greene, enjoying the blessings of comfortable homes and kind friends, while others showed the fatigue they had endured by thinner countenances than usual. But all were in excellent spirits, and professed to like camp life "hugely."
We arrived in Washington on Saturday evening and were quartered that night and the night following in a large building which I should think had been used for a freight house. On Monday we marched to our present encampment, pitched out tents and began camp life in earnest. Here or near here will probably be our Winter quarters, as we are selected with a few other regiments to guard Washington this winter. If "coming events cast their shadows before" we can safely look for a forward movement before many days. But more of this anon.
Yours in good spirits; J.L.T.
No comments:
Post a Comment