Camp Kelly

Pattersons Creek

Janry 17^th 1862

 

Dear Marshall

                        I write you these few lines tonight lest I should not have an opportunity to write to you for some time. I received yours of the 5^th inst. and was pleased to hear that you were well I was delighted to hear of that present and the good time you had generally on New-Year. May the growth of the young representative be like that of the young year vigorous and full of great promise

 

            Allow me to congratulate you and your wife on this occasion hoping that the event may prove a source of joy to your hearts forever. Please mention to Aggie that I received her letter and that I will answer it / as soon as I have leisure time enough. I wrote one to Mr. Preston I suppose he has got it by this time.

 

            Since you heard from me have moved from Romney to the place where we have been six days. this place is a station on the B. & O. R.R. the R.R. runs along the Potomac river here. Maryland is on the opposite side. there is a large force here now all under General Lander the Genr^l is here with us and is well liked. he came to Romney just before we left.

 

            We had a review today two brigades were out. it was not pleasant as the snow is thawing and the ground was very sloshy. the march from Romney was tough as it rained most of the time and the roads were badly cut up. the distance is about 20 miles 

 

On the 6^th of January our Col who then had command of the post at Romney ordered a detachment from each Regiment to be ready at 9 oclock P.M. with 2 days rations. the whole force amounted to about 3000 including two batteries and three compy^s of cavalry the column started at 12 P.M. and marched out on the Winchester road 16 miles to Blues Gap where the secesh were encamped 2000 strong the marching was very difficult as a severe snow storm prevailed during the night which added to the snow which had previously fallen made the road very heavy we drove in their pickets just after daylight and reached their position about an hour after our Reg^t had the right of the line and was the first in the fight we took position directly in front of the / enemys breastworks and then advanced and drove them out of there before the other Reg^ts had time to get into position we took their breastworks and drove them down the mountain killing 15 and taking 20 prisoners 2 field pieces (one rifled) with their caissons and ammunition their waggons horses camp equipage and any quantity of small arms and provisions clothing &c. When our cavalry came up through the gap by some blunder they were sent out the wrong road and before they found their mistake the retreating foe were out of reach. had it not been for this we would have captured a great many more. we then destroyed their camp and everything we could not take with us and returned to Romney we did not lose a man the secesh are the wildest shots I ever came across. they were well armed clothed and fed. they did not stand more than fifteen minutes and when they did go they run like deer some of them / in their haste tumbling heels over head down the mountain and losing their arms in so doing. they did not have a chance to fire their heavy field pieces at us as our rifle balls were flying too thick for the gunners to feel quite at home and some of the horses being wounded became unmanageable and ran off with the guns into the woods while the gunners scampered off the best way they could. I saw a little notice of the affair in the Herald of the 9^th inst. I think we will move from this place in a day or two. we got orders to cook 3 days rations tonight I will write at the first opportunity I have again as it is after tattoo and having nothing more / of interest to tell you I will have to close. I have read Harpers Weekly regular from the first. When you fold them please leave the plain side or reading matter on the outside in this way the persons who handle them before they come to me will not know them from other papers less interesting. this will prevent them from being opened & detained. I have written these lines as fast as I could drive the pen over them therefore you will excuse scrawls and mistakes of all kinds in which they abound. My address for the present is J.C. Co. D. 5^th Reg^t O.V. Gen^l Landers Division via Cumberland Md—I am quite well hope yourself and family are the same. My respects to all

 

As Ever Yours             Jim

 

M. M. Huey                                                    

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