Camp near Falmouth Va. May 10 1863

           

Dear Father & Mother

                                                I thought I would spend a few moments of this bright and beautifull sabath day in writeing to you. I am well and hope this will find you the same.

 

            I wrote to you last, just after we recrossed the river at Banks ford. I told you that in my next I would write particulars &c. but as I have only got a little time I will write a little of the part the Flying division took in the great battle.

 

            Tuesday Apr. 28^th we broke camp and marched to a piece of woods near the Rappahannock about two miles below Fredericksburg. That night under cover of the darkness, the 6^th Maine and 5^th Wisconsin of the Flying division was detailed to lug the pontoons to the river. this we did with great credit, as it was undiscoverd by the enemy, the pontoons were at once filled with men, of the 119 Penn. & 49^th Penn, of Hancocks old brigade, which landed on the other side of the river, surprised the enemy and drove them from their first line of rifle-pits. enough troops was thrown across to hold a position while the pontoons were layed, the troops then crossed and took a line of position.

 

            On Saturday May 2^ond we charged across the flatts and drove the enemy behind his works on the heights. Our Company Capt Bollinger was sent towards the city across a deep ravine on picket. at the time of the charge, four of our company was sent to the edge of the ravine to watch the enemy and give the alarm in case he should come down and shoot our men advancing up the ravine. this gave us a good view of both sides. I was one of the four that was sent, and had a good view of the charge. The line advanced splendidly, and the rebels skirmish line fell back in good order.

 

            Sunday May 3^d, the Flying division stormed and carried Merrys hill, thus breaking the rebels lines, and giving to us possession of the heights in rear of Fredericksburg. early in the morning we passed through Fredericksburg. Our batteries kept up a very heavy fire, in which our division formed a line of battle, under the enemys strong hold, the enemy kept up a very heavy fire from their batteries, but were unable to dislodge us. At 10 a.m. we charged and drove them from their works captured all of the pieces to the Washington battery of Artillery, of Louisiana. severn guns, it was an eight gun battery, but our batteries had disable one previous to the charge. We took a large lot of prisoners.

 

            This battery, was before the breaking out of the rebellion in the US Service. the rebels claimed it as the best battery in their service.

 

            The troops which we ingadged were a Mississippi Brigade, under command of Col. Griffin acting Brig. Gen. a great many lives were lost as it was a hand to hand conflict. Our Regiment lost is about 140 killed & wounded. We had our Major killed, three captains killed. In our company Capt Bollinger killed, G. W. Perry, Sergt McAbe W. B. Blackman G. George J. Hendersy S. Hill J Lyons J Derry wounded our company did not suffer so much as others. Co A sufferd the most they lost 21 killed & wounded 

 

After the heights were taken, I think our Generals made a great blunder, in following up the retreating foe, for in doing so they left open a big space open on the left. And the enemy which were massed in a piece of woods, as soon as we had left the heights marched in, and took repossession of the heights. As we came up with a strong force in front and with these to the rear, the enemy now had us surrounded on three sides, with the right of our line resting on Banks ford.

 

            Monday the 5^th, haveing been repulsed in every atact, and as the enemy thretned to cut off our communications at Banks ford we were with drawn, and recrossed the river at Banks ford. the Flying division covering the retreat.

 

            In covering the retreat the 6^th Maine, 43^d New York & 31^st New York were completely surrounded. 5 companies of the 31^st, and 2 companies of the 43^d were captured by the enemy. The 31^st New York after surrendering, were mean enough to tell them that the 6^th Maine was in the woods, and our position. We heard them tell them so, and that we were not supported by artillery.

 

            Soon as they found out this, they said now boys for the 6^th Maine that is the regiment we want. They seemed to be so shure of us that they only atacted us in one line of battle the Louisiana Tigers, but we repulsed them and drove them back. They then came on with a determination in three lines of battle, but we were determined not to be taken. we were then completely surrounded, the only place of escape was on a very steep cliff, and for this we made for, marching of in good order by the left flank. by help of the limbs of the bushes, we succeeded in sliding down over the steep bluff, and by crolling along by the edge of the river, we escaped from the enemy. soon as we had got over the bluff they open a fire of musketry. they kept up a shelling us, but to no effect as we were under the steep banks. after all the troops had recrossed, the flying division was then with-drawn and recrossed the river.

 

            Tuesday 5^th the 6^th Maine with a battery of artillery was sent up river ten miles to guard the United States ford. here we remaind untill after the right recrossed at Kellys ford, then we joined our division, and on Friday the 8^th we fell back to Falmouth where we now are, near Gen Hookers Head-quarters. The loss in our regiment will be about 190 in killed wounded and missing.

 

            The Flying division when we broke camp musterd 2200 the loss in the division is 1050 killed wounded & missing.

 

            I have not time to write any more so will close with love to you all.

                                                                       

From your Aff Son,

James T.B.

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