Soldier's Letter, Civil War, Ellsworth's Regiment - November 1861

 Oxford Times, December 11, 1861

Letter from Ellsworth's Regiment

The following letter from a member of Ellsworth's People's Regiment to a friend in this village [Oxford, Chenango Co., NY] will be found very interesting.  Mr. B. was a student of the Academy last Summer.

Hall's Hill, Nov. 28, 1861

Dear Friend, Our little tent was enlivened by a letter from you this evening. As I seemed to be counted in the introduction, I will take the liberty of answering in part, although I am poorly situated to write, poor pen and ink, and sitting on the floor, yet I know you to be one who will take into consideration the inconveniences of soldiers.

We are encamped eight miles from Washington, upon the sacred soil, which at present is rather muddy. Being on the frontier of the army, we are of course subject to all the excitements of the war, which to me is very agreeable, for I like excitement. We are situated on Hall's Hill, near where his house was burnt by the rebels. He had a splendid mansion, it is said, which came into the hands of the rebels after the fight at Manassas, and was ruthlessly destroyed. A few bricks alone remain to tell where once was a pleasant home.  Hall, and family live at present in the city. To the left of us is Munson's and Upton's Hills, places that have figured extensively in this war, having been occupied and fortified by the enemy. Both now have a fine fort upon their tops. The former is called Fort Scadaddle, not a poetical name but a cant phrase used by soldiers to indicate fast running, such as was exhibited by the rebels, when they ran from Munson's Hill at the approach of our forces, four weeks ago.  On Upton's hill is Fort Ransey and is the headquarters of Gen. Wadsworth. To our left in Minor's hill, the place of balloon ascensions.  Prof. Lowe is now there.  From this hill can be seen Washington, nine miles back, and in front but for a single hill, Manassas could be seen fifteen miles ahead.  Two days ago returning from a scouting expedition toward Fairfax, I stopped at Miner's and ascended the signal stand. One of the finest sights I think that man ever saw presented itself.  From this elevation, some 80 feet, could be seen the camps of almost all of the grand army. For miles and miles around, was nothing but the white tents of soldiers.  At night, when all are lighted up, the sight must be splendid beyond description.  At the time of my view, the men were out on drill, and there must have been within a radius of seven miles, one hundred thousand men moving; infantry, cavalry, and light artillery.  I looked long and steady, leaving at last reluctantly. I thought to myself who would not be a soldier, but added if it was not for this living, I mean this eating.  I have traveled this country pretty well over since here, out as far as one can.  Have been on the lines, three times on picket guard, and three times beyond them scouting. Two days ago with some of our regiment, I went to Fairfax Court House onto the hill this side. We were led by a government scout, and went to take back some cattle which had been stolen by the rebels. We went further than necessary, just to get a view of the rebel fortifications reported to be at Fairfax village.  By keeping to the fields and woods, we got onto a little hill overlooking that renowned place, but saw but little save some slight breast works and a few women in the street. The place appeared like the rest of the sacred soil in these parts, deserted and desolate.

At Hall's Church, another noted place, and where our forces had a heavy skirmish some four weeks ago, I again stopped and went on a view.  This little village is also deserted by both men and women. A few Jews have their stands there to swindle soldiers out of $13 per month. Here is the ancient church where once Washington held his headquarters, 'Tis built of brick and has been in use one hundred and twelve years.  It was long kept in repair by a "F.F.V." and Henry Fairfax, to whose memory is a marble slab fitted in the wall on one side of the house with a full description of his munificence carved thereon for the benefit of the congregation to read every Sunday, especially those not interested in the sermon. The Church stands in the middle of a burying ground, in which there is a great number of recent graves, noticeable by their modern gravestones. Tis amusing yet sad to read the inscriptions; killed in battle, here a rebel, and there a Union soldier lying in close proximity to one another. They will war with each other no more. The Church is battered with bullets which lay scattered about like pebbles. The fence is literally cut in pieces to the Church. The doors lay open, the cushions to the seats have been carried off by pieces by the soldiers, and sent away to their homes.  I followed in the steps of my predecessors, but more sacrilegious than others, I took a piece from the pulpit, and will send you some. Over this had leaned for support some secesh while holding forth to an assenting audience his infernal doctrines of rebellion.  I also have been to the Scott house. You remember last spring of reading about the seduction of an officer by two young ladies who wished his escort home. The girls do not live at home now. They dare not. The old woman is all that is left. Sure does not war break up families.

You are undoubtedly looking for an advance, so are we, but know no more about it than you, yet we think it to be near. We are not ordered to make any preparations for winter which we would be were we not to move soon. There is fighting every day on the lines three miles from here more or less.  Last night two regiments were called out, and we were ordered to hold ourselves ready.  One of those that went was the 17th, in which are the boys that first went from Oxford, with Capt. Tyrrell.  They lay alongside of us in the same brigade.

Yours, &c.  J.S.B.