Joseph D. Baker to Susanna Baker and Elizabeth Baker, 3 July 1862
Va
July 3d/62
 
            Mother—It is my duty to let you know how things are going on in my line of business I am still able to go round yet though it is with some exertion however I am unhurt. You have news of the state of affairs here no doubt and as near as I know I will tell you all the news. We have been fighting since last friday and have suffered some loss Our Co is reduced to a skeleton by disease and fighting. Poor Jno Snyder is wounded in the groin and is in the hands of the enemy. Josh is also a prisoner. he and Robt Reed were in the hospital and not being able to get away, fell into the rebels hands together with others of Co F. 
 
Archy Glenn is wounded in the shoulder and will be taken to Fortress Monroe untill he is able to return to duty, his wound is not severe. We lost but 2 wounded, none killed and as there there is still more of the Co coming in it is impossible to say how many are prisoners, but it seems sure that Jno Snyder, Josh Snyder, Robt Reed, Michaels, and perhaps others of the Co are prisoners. I hope not however. We had hard fighting and lost severely all round
 
We are now camped along side of the 10th P.R.C. and I saw the "modest" boy he is well and spoke quite friendly. Old Bob McKnight is wounded they say and some others of the Regt. Capt McConnell is wounded. Warner is well yet /
 
Things are working finely I think for we have drawn the rebels out of their stronghold and they think that we are skedaddling but they are mistaken for once, and a few days will show them their mistake. I guess the rebels are shelling our camp a little but not doing much harm
 
I want you to keep easy and content as possible and I will write soon again if I be spared.
                                                                                   
No more J. D. Baker
 
Lizzie—
I enclose you and Jimmie this song which you should learn to sing.
 
"We are marching on to Richmond" sings to the tune, "You shant be bidden work a turn at any kind of spin mattine"—you know the tune.
 
            I hope we shall all see other soon and the war be over.
                                                                                               
J D Baker
12377
DATABASE CONTENT
(12377)DL1848.013194Letters1862-07-03

Tags: Hospitals, Injuries, Music, News, Peninsula Campaign, Prisoners of War

People - Records: 3

  • (4439) [writer] ~ Baker, Joseph D.
  • (4440) [recipient] ~ Baker, Susanna ~ Walker, Susanna
  • (4442) [recipient] ~ Baker, Elizabeth ~ Barnes, Elizabeth

Places - Records: 1

  • (120) [origination] ~ Virginia

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SOURCES

Joseph D. Baker to Susanna Baker and Elizabeth Baker, 3 July 1862, DL1848.013, Nau Collection