Camp near Hazel River Va. Decem 4^th 63

 

My dear Dot.

                                    I little expected, this day a week ago, that I would write to you again from this camp, and many times since then, I doubted whether you would ever receive a letter from me again, so dangerous apparently was the work that was cut out for us. We have had a very hard week of it. And I feel very thankful that we are safe out of the scrape. I can give you a better account of our troubles in the form of a journal than in any other way.

 

Thursday—Nov 26—We left camp at 8 A.M. We had read to us just before starting, an account of the Union victories at Chattanooga and Look Out Mountain, which raised our spirits to a good fighting pitch. Had a very tedious march all day. At 11 o'clock at night we crossed the Rapidan at Jacob's Ford and camped a mile or so on the other side for the night, weather very cold, and men suffering much, not more than half being furnished with overcoats.

 

Friday 27—Reveille at 6 A.M. Orders to march at 7. Advanced from the woods we had camped in some ½ of a mile and waited for the 3^rd Corps to lead off. At 12 o'clock sharp skirmishing commenced in front. At 3 P.M. we advanced our line about 1½ miles and halted in the woods. The skirmishing in front continued and ere long we heard the lines of battle become engaged. We were ordered to load. About 3½, our Brigade was ordered to advance at a double quick. We were advanced at this pace fully 1½ miles and were subjected to a pretty heavy shelling whilst running. 1 / Capt. and 3 privates in the 49^th Rgt wounded. Upon reaching the battle field which was in a dense pine woods we were ordered in to support 2 batteries, upon which the Rebs had already charged twice. The 3^rd Division of the 3^rd Corps had acted badly some Regiments having run without firing a shot. Night came on and the battle ceased. We now learned that we had got into the action entirely without orders. That the 2^nd & 3^rd Divisions of our Corps should have gone in before us and that one whole Division of the 3^rd Corps had not been in at all. It was their duty to go in, but the cowards coolly fell back, when they saw us coming up on the run, and allowed us to pass them. However, we came up in time to prevent a defeat, and did not lose a man so it is all right. We laid on our arms here until midnight, when we were roused up and marched some 6 miles through the "Wilderness" to the ground of the 2^nd Corps which we reached about 5 o'clock A.M. We were completely worn out and throwing ourselves down on the marshy ground slept heavily until roused by the bugle at daylight. Swallowed a cup of coffee and started off immediately through the woods in line of battle. Threw out our skirmishers and in a drenching rain advanced slowly along the Orange Court House turnpike road. Driving the Rebs slowly, we advanced thus wet and weary, until noon, when we had them driven across Mine Run and as we could perceive heavy entrenchments on the "Heights of Chester" on the other side of the run, looming through the mist we halted and awaited the cleaning up. Our batteries had now to be placed in position, and as this would occupy some time, we threw ourselves down on the wet pine leaves and took such / little rest as we could. The mist clearing away, we could perceive a line of entrenchments, extending in front of us as far to the right and left as we could see. After consultation among the Generals that afternoon, it was decided these entrenchments should be stormed, and preparations were accordingly made. To General Sedgewick our brave old leader was given the centre, where we were placed. To General French was assigned one flank, and to General Warren the other. Night coming on, we turned in for a good rest. I had just turned in and become comfortable when I was sent for and ordered out on picket. This I did not fancy much, but started out and found I was in charge of the Brigade Line. I passed a sleepless night listening to the Rebs, who were busy as bees in our front, planting batteries and falling trees all night long. At daylight the rascally Reb pickets commenced firing on my pickets, and I had to make hurried preparations to shelter ourselves. We did not dare get out of our holes all day. At noon was told, the grand attack was to be made at 4 P.M. Waited in trepidation until near sunset, awaiting the first gun on the right. Our Brigade was not to be of the storming party having done enough at Rappahannock Station. We were to support batteries. But had the attack been made that afternoon, I would have been on the skirmish line which I would not have fancied. However, the sun set and no attack was made. I was relieved and went back to the Regiment. We now received orders to be ready in line at 4 A.M. next morning, as the attack was to be / made at daylight. Then, it was to be made at 8 o'clock, and sure enough at 8 o'clock our guns opened, and a nice little artillery and was kept up for an hour, when all was quiet again. We lay behind the battery of the 8-32 pounders, the heaviest guns with us. We soon knew that something was wrong. It seems that neither Warren or French could get the positions on the flank they desired, and found the enemy so strongly secured that the loss would be terrible if an attack were made, and so it was finally given up altogether. The weather continued very cold and we suffered terribly. We huddled in heaps, could not keep up large fires, and altogether, it was extremely uncomfortable. But this was much better than storming the heights and losing thousands of lives.

 

Tuesday Dec 1—Lay in the same ravine all day. The batteries in front of us, but no firing at all. Weather still cold. Reported that 2 pickets of the 5^th Corps on our left froze to death. On post in the afternoon recd orders to march at a moment's notice. Were informed that we were to fall back, the whole movement having been a failure. At dark got in line and ere long started. Weather colder than ever and being in the rear our march was tedious. We made scarcely ½ mile an hour. Men suffering terribly thus we marched until daylight, when we reached Germania Ford and crossed the pontoons over the Rapidan. We marched some 2 miles from the river and / halted for breakfast. I had never felt more fatigued since I have been in the service. I could not have marched 2 miles further. For 3 nights and days we had not slept, in consequence of excitement and cold. It was terrible. The retreat had not been in disorder mind, for it was more like a triumphal march, than a falling back. We took our time, there was no confusion, nothing was lost, and no one was gobbled, but human nature cannot stand such severe labor as we had gone through the previous 6 days. We rested in this place until 11 o'clock A.M. then advanced some 3 miles from there, and pitched our tents for the first time in 7 days, remained here all night and at daylight next morning, started for our old camps, which we reached about noon, and put up our tents on our old foundations. Here we are, and here may we stay for one week I say, for we must have rest. Now for a few private remarks. All confidence between a certain Col. and Lieut. Col. and ourselves has gone. They are no soldiers. They do not deserve a command. Would that Gen. Russell was back. In him we have a splendid leader—and now we hear why our movement was a failure. Gen. French 3^rd Corps mistook the road, precipitated the action on Friday, got himself into a scrape and is now under arrest. So they say. Whether there is any truth / in it I do not know but it is possible. Had he obeyed orders, we would have reached Chester heights before the Rebs and by this time would have been in Gordonsville. Nevermind, we are all back safely, that is one comfort. The day before we left here my barrel reached me. For your kindness receive my thanks. The beef, pie and cakes were of course spoiled. The flannel was all right. I had my coat lined that night, & I should have perished without it. Give my love to all at home. Remember me to all kind friends. Kiss little ones over and over for me and believe me to be as ever your devoted husband

                                                                                   

Andy

 

Excuse appearances of letter I am terribly weary and can scarcely write this.

SOURCES