Camp near Kelleys Ford

Falmouth side of river

May 5^th 1863.

 

Dear Bro.

                        I take this opportunity to write these few lines.

 

We have met with another repulse & have another retreat upon us. On Sunday after several days fighting we stormed the rebel batteries back of city let me take from my memorandum the doings of the past few days.

           

Saturday May 2^d

May 2^d* remain in position 5 P.M. advance to F. pike. 10PM Advance on Fred—burgh Turnpike to the city pass rifle pits, forts & batteries. Johnny Reb. lets us advance untill within ½ mile of city, when they open on us a stunning fire of musketry, prepare for a charge on the rebel batteries but taking a prisioner the Gen. commanding deffers the charge untill morn

 

*P.S. This was a perilous undertaking & our brigade was selected for it & nobly did they carry out all the orders /

           

May 3^d

Fall back to town relieved by the second brigade of this Devision. Sent to the north of the town to guard against a flank movement take up several positions during the fore noon, but did not regularly engaged before 12.M. At this hour a grand charge was to be made & storming of the rebels works The reg^ts from this corps selected were the 43^d New York 61^st Penn. both of the Light Brigades 82^d New York & the 1^st Long Island both of Thalers brigade, commanded and at their head was Col Thaler (Com^d 1^st brigade) We charged down one of the principle streets, by the flank. When within 200 yds of their works they opend upon us with musketry & grape & canister, this threw the 43^d N.Y. which was in the lead into disorder & finaly they broke with the 82 Penn. & 61^st Penn. partly breaking our reg^t but we soon rallied & carried the heights.

 

Our colors were the first planted on their works. this is the best charge the Long Island ever made, not content with the 1^st line carry the 2^d & persue them three miles beyond where night coming on we rest on our arms.

 

We struck camp on the 28^th April & have not had a nights rest since, but hope to tonight. how did you like / my likeness

                       

in great haste I must close for I cannot send unless I send now

                                                                                   

Your Afft. Bro.

Loomis T. Palmer

 

Paper Clipping

 

...fire of grape and canister, in addition to the musketry fire.

 

WHO STORMED THE HILL.

  The right column was formed of the Sixty-first Pennsylvania regiment, Colonel Spear, and the Forty-third New York, Colonel Baker. It was supported, as we have said, by two regiments in line, the First Long Island, Colonel Nelson Cross, and the Eighty-second Pennsylvania, Major Basset. These two regiments were part of Shailer's Brigade, and Shailer went with them.

SOURCES