Maryland Hights M^d

June the 25^th/63

 

Dear Neice,

                        Your very kind and interesting letter of the 6^th is at hand I received it some time ago and was glad to hear from you. had I time there is much that I would have to say in reply to your kind letter but fear that I will have to be brief. you will not wonder why that I did not answer sooner when I tell you what has happened since I received yours but as I hope that all is over now for a while I must tell you. you are aware that our regiment the 6^th M^d 67^th P^a infantry, 1^st N.Y. Calvary and the 1^st M^d Battery were all at Berryville Va We had been expecting an atackt / for sometime, so on the 12^th we heard that the rebs were marching on Berryville in great force and got orders to hold ourselves in readyness. it remained this way until the morning of the 13^th when a gun was fierd from the battery to warn our pickets to come in. We then had orders to evaquate Berryville and to march to Winchester. this was but 10 miles could we have went the pike but we had to go a by road which was about 35 mile, our retreat being cut off by the way of the pike. we comenced this march june 13^th at 11 O'clock, the Rebs then in sight We keep up a forced march for about 25 mile without stoping to eat this brought us to a creek by the name of Opaquan Creek. this stream was right ugly to ford but the 67^th P^a Regt was in the advance / and waded right through and went on. next was the Battery, they stoped in the stream to watter the horses. next was our regiment then came the 1^st N.Y. Calvary. our boys took off there shoes and stockings to ford the stream and in this perdicament the Rebs attackted us, but for all this we were too hard for them and drove them back, but for fear the rebs would get reinforcement and come again, we keep up a forced march for Winchester. We got inside of the lines about dark, still two mile from the end of our journey but we rested here. at this time a heavy gust threatend us, and by the time we set out again it began to rain and rained very hard compleately drenching us, but by 11 O'clock that night we made 

 

our journeys end and stacked our arms in an open field and lay down on the wet ground meny of us without blankets for they were thrown away in the skirmish at the creek. We arose from our wet bed next morning at 3, and at day-light the ball opened. our regiment being weary from there long march were sent to protect Fort Star. this was a kind of an earth work that had been thrown up on the Hights and the guns of the 1^st M^d battery mounted on it. skirmishing was keep up all day, but our Regt was still keep at the fort. at 5 O'clock in the evening the Rebs opened on us with there Artillery and in twenty minuts time took our outer works; they then began / to shell Fort Star and I found it a warm place where our regiment lay but the 1^st M^d battery that was in the fort replyed to them bravely it was very sharp canonading, nor did it cease untill dark, when our Regt was orderd in the Fort expecting that the rebs would charge on it. It was then that we found out that we were surrounded, and that the rebs out numberd us 5 to one. we were out of ammunition, 5 rounds being all that was left. We then got orders to quit the place and to cut our way out to Martensburg, if we could, if not, Harpers Ferry. If we could not do that to surrender, so we began to spike the canon, and by 2 O'clock took up the line of march again not knowing how soon the ball would open again, but all felt willing to pitch in, reather than / surrender We got about 4 mile out on the Martensburg pike, when the Rebs opend on us with artillery and we found that we could not get out that way, for they were too strong for us, so we then made for another place in there line and found it weaker, and cut our way out, but for fear that they would flank us we had to keep the woods and the roughest parts of the country to Harpers Ferry which was about 40 mile the way we came. We got to H. Ferry about dark Monday night next day we crost the Potomac River to Maryland Hights. We are yet here, in our own state again, what there is left of us. We numberd near 800 men when we marched to Winchester 290 some is all that is left. our company numberd some 48 able men besides some 12 sick that was in the hospital. We have 24 left / among the six boys that went from Bay View, George and I are all that has got back as yet, him and I came through without a scratch, and one cant boast of enything that the other cant, for we marched and fought side by side. Matthew Alexander Nathan Alexander Nathan Tyson and George J Benjamin, is mising out of the 6 that went from B. View But Annie I dont think that there was meny killed, but wer taken prisnors. George and I are both well and doing well, dont give yourself eny uneasiness about us, and when you think if we will ever get home again, say Why yes, and dont grieve about G.J.B. your Uncle G. joins with in sending his love to you all, Farewell dearest Niece

 

I remain as ever your Uncle Nels

 

 

P.S. George nor I have received no letters since I received yours but I hope they will be able to get the mail to us again, by the time this reaches you Hiram

N.B. Annie I think I would like to hear a darkey preach, then come home with them Quaker girls and see them put on airs, then Hug their heads and all that kind of thing. I cant help but think that it is a green place where you now live by the name it bears and hope that you will get away from there soon, but cant wish, nor wont, no how. please excuse my foolishness, mistakes bad writing and all imperfections. let no one see this but those that should wishing you all health & happyness Adieu for the present,

6^th Regt M^d Vol Inft

Company G.

Maryland Hights

Near Harpers Ferry Va

SOURCES