Head Quarters 17^th Reg Mich Inft Vol

Near Fort Baker D.C.             

Tuesday Sept 2^nd 1862

           

Dear Father,

                                    I have had hardly time enough before to write to you or would have done so. we are encamped very pleasantly about three miles north east of Washington on some very high hills and near Fort Baker one of a line of ten forts out this side the city. There are three Maine Regts near us and we are all under the command of Gen M^cClellan. I was in the city yesterday and saw them bringing in the wounded from the battle field. Every hack & omnibus was required for that purpose. Our Adjt saw the Lt Col of the First Michigan and he said that the Chaplain told him that Henry was wounded slightly & a prisoner. He was not on the field himself at the time having been wounded and taken to Washington but it was the Chaplain's report to him. I saw about a thousand wounded come in. Some were badly wounded and could never recover and others but very slightly.

 

            There are very many Secessionists in Baltimore and on the road there from / Harrisburg. I saw some of the finest scenery in the world along the route. The Juniata Valley in particular. High mountains all the way.

 

            The rumor has just reached camp direct from the city that Jackson is a prisoner with four thousand of his men. If not true it should be so from disadvantages of position and everything. He is a great General in my opinion to get out of so many difficulties and if some of our generals were as active and diligent as he there would be a far different state of affairs now.

 

            The first night that we arrived here {saturday} it rained all night and we were without a tent after that tough journey. I am very well and think that I will be able to stand all the hardships of camp life and the march. I have no more time to march write now but just to let you know we were "all right" and settled in camp.

 

Tell Mary to write & love to all.

                                                                       

Your Son

James /

 

Direct to me 17^th Reg Mich Inft in care of Col W. A. Withington

                                                                                                           

Near Fort Baker

DC

           

I am writing on a rough box & in a great hurry

James

 

[overleaf]

 

James I. Christiancy

            Sept 2/62

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