Harpers Ferry June 1^st 1862

 

Dear George

                        I received your letter last night and was very glad to hear from you I supposed you were anxious about me but I have been sick for the last few days I am better now and I will join the Company to day if I can get off from here.

 

I suppose you would like to know something about how we got allong here while Jackson was comeing down on us. you know in my note which I sent you I was at a point beyond Bolivar well Old Jackson drove us in about a half mile when our army formed a line of battle on Bollivar Hights whe he made his appereance in the woods about one mile distant He opend with his Artilery on us which did us no harm shell fell short we returned it with interest and held him in check for awhile. that night (which was the night after I sent you the note) we sleeped on our arms untill about one ock when the whole army fell back to Harpers Ferry our Legion bringing up the rear things began to look bad Jackson with 20 thousand men and our forces not more that 8 thousand He did not come that night the next day we threw up entrensments and planted a battery at both ends of our lines and one in the centre our Legion having the centre in addition to that we had a battery planted on the Maryland Hights which commanded the road for 4 miles one of the guns there was a 9 inch gun so you see we were all ready that day but they did not come over the hill they were afraid of the Big gun that night which was last Thursday night week I will never forget in all my life it commenced to rain about 6 ock and we were ordered to stand by in line of battle all night it was an awful night my poor pen can never describe it it raind thundered and lightend and was dark only now and then by the flash of lightning could you see the man next to you the Big gun kept up a constant fire all the time shelling the woods beyond us the shells going over our heads it was an awful sight but the time had not arrived yet which was to try our boys. about midnight our pickets were driven in by the by they (the pickets) were only out about a hundred yards things began to look black indeed the batterys opend with shell and grape shot but as yet no order had been given for us to fire we could not see anything we sent out a scouting party to see if they could see the enmey and while they were out they were taken for the enemey by the 3^rd Delaware which was on our left and they fired into them but did not hit any. the firing was kept up the whole length of our lines behind us the 12^th Regulars were drawn up as a reserve and when we fired they fired also which was very wrong they pourd a whole volley into our Legion wounded five or six one poor fellow in our Company got his arm shot off I tell you what the bullets went close to us they put me in mind when you get into a hornets nest it was not very pleasant mind I tell you they took them Regulars away and made them go in there tents that was the first fire we were ever under the boys stood well as soon as I saw that the Regulars were firing on us (in mistake of enemey) I droped like a flash on the ground as well as the rest and most of the balls went over without doing any harm

 

After the danger was removed from behind we turned our attention to the danger in front the enemeys Cavalry were at the foot of the hill that is we thought they were so the order to fire was given the Majors voice was heard above the roar of Artilery to fire and every man was at his post and we let go a volley now the crisis had come the air was thick with smoke the Artilery kept up a constant roar and the heavens as though angry with the sun let loose with the most awful lightning and thunder I ever heard in all my life and it was raining all the time I tell you I have been in many scenes of danger but I never was in any thing like this before but I was ready for the Rebels and am now

 

Our pickets were firing all night and when morning came contrary to all expectations the enemey had skedadaled. the next day and night it rained all the time and we had to stay at the erthworks all the time with no sleep for 3 days and nights and very little to eat we thought Jackson would come the next night but he did not Jackson had left so we were at ease for awhile but Ge^l Sigel came here and took command and the first thing he did was to get ready to march on Winchester the army started Monday

 

and I felt so bad that I could not go with the Legion and was left behind to take care of the things but I am all right now and will join the Company the first chance I get which will be to day I think your letter and the news in the paper you sent and in a latter paper which I saw was enough to make any sick man well. George Bandell was shot in the neck acedentely but I do not think he is dead He was taken to the Frederick Hospital and I have not heard from him yet

 

                        all the boys are well I heard last night that they are quartered in good houses in Winchester and I fell all right again and I hope you are well and all at home give my love to Mother and all at home and do not be uneasy

                       

yours truley                            

W^m H Grape

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