Union News, Broome County, New York, August 8, 1861
Camp Anderson, Washington, D.C., July 28th, 1861
Mr. Editor: This (Sunday) morning there is a prospect of rain, and we need something of the kind to clean us out. One man whom we supposed taken prisoner, (Corporal Spencer) has since turned up all right.
Camp life goes on as usual, but a good many of the boys and two or three of the officers are powder sick. These cowardly officers, I was informed, tendered their resignation yesterday. I have not heard whether they were accepted or not. One thing I know, Capt. Rodgers is not one of this nervous cowardly sort of men. He is a man of steel, one that I ask no greater honor than to follow. Bold and daring he does not fear to lead us into the field, where we have to face the fiercest of the foe.
Last evening, "Old Abe" rode around the camp and was an object of considerable interest to many of the boys, who affected to see, I suppose, something more than a man. But if I am a judge, they did not see more than a third rate one at most; but then, every man has his own opinion.
Just here, I would have it distinctly understood, that if anything appears over Blockhead's signature which is not generally relished by the public, he is himself alone responsible.
I understand there is a law passed requiring officers to be inspected before allowing them to command in the field against an enemy. If this thing had been done before the fight of last Sabbath, our General in command of the Division would have been counted out. Gen. McDowell, I think, made an ass of himself in the manner of attack, ordering regiment after regiment forward to the attack singly, only relieved after they had been driven back with severe loss. When, if they had been properly flanked and three or four regiments charged in a body, the works might have been kept after they had been carried (as they were three times by single regiments) and this disposition of the force might have been made and had a strong reserve ready to have rushed in, in case the charging force were in danger of being forced back. I noticed in every instance where our troops met the rebels in a charge, they (the rebels) were invariably driven before them like chaff, although they had better arms. We captured a few of their guns, which are much superior to the Springfield or Harper's Ferry muskets, with which our Regiment were armed. Their guns are mostly M..nord's self primer, a very rapid loading "institution" which we found out to our cost. However, they shot too high most of the time; some whole volleys would not hit a man.
We are to go soon to church in rank. I suppose must go to keep up appearances; although much as has been said of the Christian soldier, I think their Christianity would have taken the same turn mine did last Sabbath, when we were forced to retreat and the accursed rebels bayoneted our wounded as they lay on the field, and we were powerless to help. Then all sober thoughts were supplanted by a deep seated revenge and before the day was through, some of them felt the effects of my change of thoughts. My naturally thick heartedness was gone and I would "bead" my musket on their breast with no more, no! not as much feeling as I was wont to exercise on the death of a snake.
Whittlesey is around and stands it better than any of us. His last fight has only made him fiercer for another.
Wm. H. Gates has at last made his appearance at our barracks. He is safe enough for the present, as he probably won't be called out for a month at least. His patriotism has received a severe trial here as have most of us, and if we are not better off now, I shall go for insurrecting [--?--] Every other Regiment is bearing fare well enough, but for our regiment, we have had it good enough since the battle.
[portion unreadable]
Yours affectionately Blockhead
No comments:
Post a Comment