Keedysville Md Sept 21 1862

 

Dear folks at home

 

We broke up our camp at Brookville where my last letter was written on wednesday and commenced our march to join Gen Burnside. We marched 15 miles the first day and encamped near Damascus. In the latter part of the afternoon we heard heavy cannonading. It came from the battle of Sharpsburg. When we holled the colnel gave orders not to have any loud hollering. I suppose it was on account of the firing we heard. The next morning we started on our march again nothing of interest occurred till we reached Munroeville where we came in sight of a railroad and a train of cars the first we had seen since leaving Washington. you ought to have heard the cheer that went up when we heard the whistle that sounds good the boys said. The next town we came to was Newmarket quite a large place. We passed through and halted for dinner. After dinner we resumed our march. During the afternoon the prisoners who were taken at Harpers ferry and paroled passed us. They all of them laid the blame of the surrender of Col Miles and were glad he was dead. About three oclock we halted for a rest. While we were resting a Maryland reg^t that was taken at Harpers Ferry came along. One of the Maryland officers inquired regiment ours was and wanted to know if there were any men in it from Lancaster or Harvard. He said that he attended the Normal school at Lancaster a year or two and was somewhat acquainted there. We told him we were from Harvard. He then wanted to know if any of us remembered a schoolmaster by the name of Ambrose who kept school in Stillriver. He inquired who had enlisted from Stillriver. I think remember him he says he has made it his home in Maryland for the past two or three years. Ours is the first Mass reg^t he has come across. He said he often thought of New England now he had left her. Towards night on ascending a hill we came in sight of the city Frederick the capital of Maryland. It is situated in the centre of a level plain between to hills. We passed through the principal street which is nearly a mile in length and encamped for the night about a mile this side. I was very much pleased with the appearance of the city. I like it much better than I do Washington. There were a good many union flags flying. We passed through just one week after Jackson evacuated the city. A party of the 21^st Mass reg^t came down to the city with some rebel prisoners. Among them was Galan Atherton he came into camp to see us. Their regiment was in the battle of South Mountain. He was not wounded. He says George Willis was had two balls put through one leg one through his arm and one in his right chest under his arm he is in the hospital. /

 

On Friday we started again and ascended the hill on the opposite side of the plain of which the city of F is situated and here I saw some of the most splendid scenery I ever witnessed. Spread out lay a large well cultivated valley in the centre of which was Middleton on the opposite side was South Mountain where the great battle took place. We passed through the town and encamped about two miles from the battle field.

 

During the day we passed large numbers of wounded soldiers on foot and in ambulances. yesterday morning we passed the battle ground. The trees by the roadside were somewhat cut up but not so much as I expected. The buildings in the vicinity were were not injured much. I did not see more than three or four that were touched at all. I should liked much to have got some relic to have sent home but we did not stop so there was no chance. We met Gen Hooker on the road yesterday in an ambulance. He was accompanied by his aids. I did not get a sight at his face. We do not know how long we shall stay here. We have got the measles in the reg^t and some say we shall have to stay here till we get over them but I do not know whether it is so or not there is no one in our company got them. All the Harvard boys are well. I am well and have stood the march as well as the majority of them 

 

Father need not worry for fear I shall starve to death. I have got so now that I think as much of my salt beef as I used to of my fire at home. I have had no trouble in getting enough to eat as yet. I have not received a letter from you yet although I presume there is one or more on the way to me I want to here from you very much But I do not much expect to till we get brigaded and settled down. We are now about a mile and a half or two miles from the battle field of Sharpsburg. Those who have been up there say that the slaughter of the rebels was fearful. In one place there is a perfect winnow of the dead The villages around here are full the wounded. I have seen two lots of rebel prisoners since we have been here. They were a dirty looking set they were most of them in citizens dress. They looked as they would fight if you would give them a fair chance. But I must close my letter hoping that you are all well and that you will write often and tell me all the news I will give you the direction so that if you have not received any of my former letters you may know where to send it

                                                                                               

from Waldo

 

Direct to me

Co G 36 reg^t Mass Vols

Col Bowman

Washington D. C.

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