Soldier's Letter, Civil War - April 1863 (89th Regiment)

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, April 29, 1863

Letter from the 89th Regiment, N.Y.V.

Camp Near Suffolk, April 21st, 1863

My Dear Father:  Your letter from Goshen is at hand.  I have no time to write very lengthy. We celebrated the anniversary of Camden (10th) by fighting another battle.  Only two regiments were engaged.  The 89th and 8th Connecticut crossed the river, charged a fort, capturing five large guns and 128 prisoners - the boldest dash of the war.  Four of our Company were wounded, viz:  Yarns, Utter, N. Fiske and Tompkins.  Fiske was struck by a grape shot above the knee which passed through coming out the under side, just below the hip.  It is mortal.  He fought nobly.  Tomkins' right arm is amputated.  Yarns was hit near the small toe, the ball passing through his foot, coming out at the heel.  Utter's ball struck the edge of a book and followed a rib, coming out of his back.  I think his case is doubtful. I commanded the Company, Captain Brown being sick and Lieut. Burghar is detailed to command Company I.  Crossed in a gunboat five or six miles below Suffolk. We were exposed to a terrible fire for a short time.  We rushed the prisoners aboard the boat and took the guns from the fort and placed them in position.  Three of them were taken from us on the Peninsula and two at Harpers Ferry.  You will get the particulars in the papers before this reaches you.  I wish you had remained here through this battle.  We have been in the field eleven days.  We are now at Fort Montgomery, situated on the railroad about two and a half miles from town.  How much longer we are to remain there I do not know. All are nearly worn out. The orderly of Company K was killed, and one man of Company H.  All the wounded were from Company F.

Please publish the following in the the Telegraph,

Truly Yours,  G.H.B.

Head Quarters to Division 9th A.C., Suffolk, Va, April 21, 1863

Lieut. Col England, Commanding 89th N.Y.S.V.

Colonel:  The General desires me to convey to you and the officers under your command his hearty congratulations and thanks for their success and gallantry in the affair of the 19th last.

Very Respectfully, Your Ob't Serv't, R. McKromnie A.D.C.