Head Quarters 17^th Reg^mt C.V.

near Brooks Station Va

May 9^th 1863

 

Dear Father

            Your favor of the 29^th came to hand this morning. I was very glad to hear from you and that you were all so well. Mary's card visite came all right but I think it is a very poor one. I wrote to you Wednesday did you receive the letter let me know. Now for the fight. We left here on the 27^th for parts unknown takeing 8 days rations in our knappsacks. after a tedious day march we encamped about two miles from Kelley's ford for the night. after eating ar suppers we was sent out on picket but saw nothing worth mentioning. The next day we left our camp for the ford, but it was decided not to lay the pontoons till that night so we halted. at night we was strung all along the Rappahannock to protect the Engerneores that was laying the bridge at 12 that night they succeeded and we marched over the 11^th takeing the advance, next the 12^th, then the 5^th Corps nothing of any importance transpired till the following day We was drawn up in battle severl times but the Rebels fled when they saw our forces. The next day the / 12^th Corps took the advance and when attacked by 5000 cavalry but repulsed them takeing 300 prisoners You could hear cannonadeing towards Fredericksburg all the time. that night we halted about one mile from the Rapidan there takeing 82 prisoners that were building a bridge for Jackson to come on our rear, he expecting that we were going to Culpepper or Gordons Ville but we have fooled them after passing over the Rapidan that is the three Corps Gen Howard came and ordered the Bridge to be burned, telling ous that when we went back it would be through Fkbg. We gave him three cheers then [?] fire and marched off. To my surprise we was in the rear of Fredericksburg and the Rebels had to come out and fight ous so our Officers told ous. We then struck a plank road and marched within 10 miles of the old place Fkbg. and halted. That night the right wing of our Reg^mt was ordered out to dig rifle pits for we expected an attacked the next day. they worked all night, but the next day Friday we could see the Rebels moveing around to our right. We was on the extreme right. In the afternoon Gen Lee of 75^th Ohio sent word into Gen Devens that the Rebels was advancing in strong force But he thinking that Lee was only scared told him to go back and in a few moments he would come and see him then you could / hear the Rebels moveing there cannons at 4 Oclock the fireing commenced on our extreme left commanded by Gen Hooker for he had crossed the Rappahannock at the United States 10 miles from Falmouth we crossed 20 miles above Gen Dan [?] with two brigades went out and captured one Georgia Reg^mt that night we was up all night expecting we would be attacked every minute They throwed shell over amongst ous pretty often feeling of our possition. Saturday there was skermishing all along the lines at noon we all sat down and eat a heavy dinner of fresh meat not thinking that in the evening we would be fighting at 5 Oclock we was ordered out on picket. our Company and G. we had just put the men on when the Verdetts commenced fireing we thought it was nothing more than a cavalry skermish and payed no more attention to it. But in a little while they came in on ous with a most terrific fire of bullets and shells. God knows how I ever came out alive for the trees was riddled with bullets we fired three rounds then retreated across an open field. there the bullets wizzed by my ears cutting the dirt up in all directions. A shell bursted close by me takeing off my hat with out injuring me but killing my right hand man. The Reg^mt was drawn up in a line of battle but the enemy was too strong that we could not stand it the / Brigade fell back. Here we lost our Lieutenant Colonel Walters and Colonel Noble wounded in the arm also the Second Lieutenant (sorry, C. Park I think he was takeing prisoner the last I saw of him he was in the woods. the Rebels drove ous one mile when the 12^th Corps comeing up drove them but here the 11^th Corps lost there name. It is composed of dutch and they say that Gen Sigel is there man that they will not fight with any other one. Here our Corps lost there name if you have seen the papers you will see that our brigade the 2 Brigade 1^st Division behaved good and stood there ground where all the rest left ous. How we ever escaped so well I cannot tell Co I 9 men, 2^ond Lieutenant missing there names I will not mention All the boys from the landing are well and safe Hen Hild is well Thursday we fell back across the Rappahannock what for I cant tell but we are in our old units but we miss a great many. Our Reg^mt lost 120 men. that is missing. The Brigade 5 Regiments 700 men. So you see we had something to do. God knows how I ever escaped for where we was was the hottest of fight. Just send me some papers so I can see what was done for we are ignorant of what is going on I must stop I am well O in the fight I lost my knappsack so now I go turtle rig all on my back but we will get more clothes to day. Give my love to all Henry 

 

You must see Mr Cisco about my furlough for if I can get home I can tell you all about the news. My gun was blown out of my hand by a shell just bruising my arm a little here we are 450 men though how long we will stay here I cannot tell But I think soon we will go to Fredericksburg again. Give my love to all enquiring friends tell them I am well and Hunkey boy. But dont like the Secesh Pills the shells we dodge but when they burst they raise the devil amongst the men. We cut the Rebels up very much. Killing a whole Regmt at one fire from our brass pieces for they had a cross fire on them. When this unholy war will be ended it is hard to tell / God knows I hope soon for to see how the poor fellows suffer that is wounded is hard to relate to you. But it is time for dinner. I must stop. When you write send me some postage stamps and an extry sheat of paper to write on and

                                                                       

Oblige Your

Affectionate

Son

H. V. Peck

 

Well mother I will try and take good care of my self and return safe if possible. Now dont worrie about me for it is nonsense for I will come out all right. All you want is faith. Tell Mary to tell Fanny I have smelt gun powder once in my life / Try and do you best for me for I should like to come and spend a few days with you. It is a very pleasant day and I feel first rate But not so anxious for a fight as I was.

 

            My Regards to all that young fellow James Wright is either killed or takeing prisoner he is missing but dont report it around  so his wife will hear it for he may turn up yet some wheres.

                                               

So Good Bye for a While

From Your Affectionate Son

Henry V. Peck

Co. I 17^th Reg^mt CV

1^st Division                                         

2^ond Brigade                                        

Howards                                              

SOURCES