Near Harpers Ferry

Battle Field near Sharpsburg

Sat. eve. Sept 21^st 1862

 

My Dear Parents

                        Knowing that you will be anxious to hear from me after the eventful week and terrible struggles we have passed through, I seat myself this beautiful Sab. eve. on the verge of that fiercely contested field of Wed. last to write you a letter.

 

First I must tell you that I heard a sermon today the first for a long long time. It was by a Chaplain of one the new Reg'ts—14^th Conn—and a plain Gospel sermon. I have great reason to be thankful to an All Wise Providence for his Goodness, and merciful protection. I have now been out one year—and I have never once been reported sick—and my life has been spared amid all the dangers and hardships to through which we have passed. God is indeed merciful. I do hope that this fall will see the war ended. I have seen enough to satisfy me. Oh! the horrors of this battle field. They cannot be imagined. The details are still busy burying the rebel dead—at least double if not treble that of our own. Their battle lines can be distinctly traced by the heaps of dead. They fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. They did not run—they melted away in their places—victims to ambitious traitors. / Our men fought with great coolness and courage though not with the same desperation that the Rebels. Our Generals for once did their duty. The last battle was evidently well planned.

 

Sumner's Corps took the lead from Tenallytown, but by the time we got to Frederick the right and left wings had come up and the centre fell behind. The people of Frederick were wild with joy when we arrived. On last sabbath we left that town—the same day that the right and left wings stormed and took the south mountain—where where we arrived after dark. We passed Albert Torrence, was wounded in the face and could not speak. On Monday morning we ascended the heights, formed in line hunted awhile for the enemy but found him gone. Our Div. was immediately sent down the pike—with a battery of flying artillery and a regiment of Cavalry in hot pursuit. Clothes—knapsacks—guns—&c—wounded—dead—and dying rebs strewed the way. We passed many of their stragglers—passing through Boonsboro—a beautiful little town where the ladies carried water out to us. Our Div. took the Sharpsburg road—The Cavalry and Artillery taking the Hagerstown road. We came up with the enemy—strongly posted on the hills across the Antietam Creek—and presenting a very bold front. Gen. Richardson led our little Div. right up to them—and a few pieces of Artillery coming up opened fire. It was returned with great vigor. Gen. Hooker sent word to "Old Dick" to stop or he would get himself whipped. It did look a little scaly—for none / but our Div. was in sight. Towards evening the Army began to come up. Tuesday was spent in Artillery fighting but we lay behind a hill, and did not suffer any. On Wednesday morning the main force of our Army under Hooker—Sumner—Couch and Franklin. French has a command of a new Div. and Col. Brooke commands our Brigade. Our Div. followed French's Div. into action about 9 o'clock and remained in front till the enemy left. The Irish Brig. went in first and made a glorious charge—killing wounding and taking prisoners almost an entire Brig of Rebels. Caldwell went in next—done well but suffered heavily. At this time our regt was detached to hold a certain position wh was considered important at this time as our line was giving way. The rest of our Brig. went in and regained all we had lost. That finished up the fighting at close quarters on our Div. line. pickets were stationed and the infantry withdrawn under the cover—while the Artillery went to work. We could not advance our line farther until the right and left got up. A short time before this Jo. Coulter and Sigel were wounded neither of them seriously. And a little while after—when we were lying down behind a battery Lieut Weaver was struck by a piece of shell and mortally wounded. I was looking at him at the time and quickly sprang up and caught him,—and assisted to carry him to the hospital—a mile back. He was the bravest—most gallant Officer in the Reg't, and his death is deeply deplored. Before carried off the field he said—"Tell my Mother I died like a brave man". He lived till Thursday / night. Is buried at Cadysville.

 

Gen. Richardson was wounded in the shoulder about the same time in the shoulder by a canister shot—and carried off the field. Our Reg't lost six killed and 15 wounded. Did not fire a shot except on picket. We were under fire a great part of the time—but escaped remarkably. In the afternoon our Regt was put on picket and kept up a lively skirmishing night and day. It was a little funny going asleep not knowing how soon a bullet might take a person in the pate. They buzzed uncomfortably close sometimes—but didn't hit.

 

Bolivar Heights Tuesday Sept. 23^rd                We left "Antietam Battle field" on Monday morning about daylight—and go to Harpers Ferry in the afternoon. Waded the river and came up on those Heights—a mile from the point. I have often wished to see this place and now my wish is gratified. All the romantic beauties of the place which I had expected to see are fully equal to my expectations—And aside from the natural and picturesque scenery—the town itself must have been a very pretty place before ruthless hands despoiled it of its adornments. This is the scene of the disgraceful treachery of Col. Miles,—as treachery it most surely was. The position at first was impregnable—and by holding it—the destruction of the rebel armies was almost certain. But the traitor did his work—surrendered the position and munitions of war—11,000 men—fresh and eager for battle—but ere he received the price of his treachery—met the fate his folly deserved. It is said he was shot by one of his own men.

 

I cannot describe the battle to you this time—Newspaper accounts so far are tolerably correct. Col. Brooke reformed the Irish Brig. after Meagher was (slightly) wounded and put them into action.

 

I think we will remain here a few days—till the bridge is rebuilt across the river and when we do move it will be towards Winchester—so that some of you—John Father or Mr. Stouffer might come down to see us. Cy is quite anxious to see his father. No one knows how soon M^cClellan will say "go". His plans seem to have been frustrated by Miles. He was nearly crazy over it. Gen. Hancock commands our Div. Our Corps is the only one across here. I received your letter with the money—Am much obliged. Have not got the shirt yet—Hope I may soon. Received Martha's letter. Don't be alarmed if I don't write often—When marching I cannot have an opportunity. Hope to hear from you very often. I suppose the Pa. Militia will go home again. Love to all. May God bless you all, Affec. Your Son,        Wilson

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