(Battle of Bull Run)

 

Camp Sprague           

Washington, D.C.

July 23, 1861

 

My Dear Beloved Wife Edith.

                        Here I am again in camp Sprague. You received a letter from me dated at Fairfax as I perceived by a letter and bottle just received by favor of Mr Calvin Adams. The contents of the bottle were refreshing as well as strengthening. Edith I have been through what I never thought I had the bravery to stand on the field of battle, but I did and Oh! what a battle. I fairly shudder as I think of it. I will describe it to you as nearly as I can. When I last wrote you I was at Fairfax. that was the place where we expected a battle, but we were disappointed. The enemy fleeing we marched toward a place called Bulls Run but I think we were near Manassas Junction however I will give you a description of our march and of the battle as near as I can. Orders were received while in camp near Centreville to march at 2 o'clock Sunday morning we did so marched 14 miles. reached the battle field at 11 o'clk commenced immediately as our second Reg. was already engaged, having been / fighting for 25 minutes. we fell in line and immediately relieved them, advancing to the brow of the hill in front of the enemy and there took their fire for nearly two hours which upon the whole as old soldiers said was the hottest fire that man was ever exposed. We had no reserve and then to fall back was sure defeat. we fired our amunition all out. the second's battery working well they fired 900 rounds which took effect and silenced theirs for a while, but having not enough men on our side and our amunition becoming exhausted, retreat was sounded and we had to leave. Oh what a feeling came over us. there we had fought bravely for hours, thinking and knowing in fact we had drove them when all at once they rallied. we retreated as fast as we possibly could travelling about 8 miles. we were nearly cut off by the enemy, they having observed our movement pursued us nearly overtook us at the creeck. there they thowed the shell and shot to us. the battery abandoned all their pieces but one, left them on the bridge blockading the bridge. nearly all of us had to ford the stream they kept a continual fire. we still kept our retreat and pursued our way to Washington 

 

Page 2            

without halting, making a march of almost 45 miles from 2½ oclk Sunday morning until 6 oclk Monday morning having marched the distance and fought the battle and retreated to Washington without eating or sleeping, and through a country of no water. I cannot write you the particulars about the battle now but that the Rhode Island Boys done well, came out after a fight of 2½ hours steady fighting with 17 killed 33 wounded and 25 wounded. that is in the 1^st Reg. I received a despatch to night from you inquiring after me. I am all right & safe, although very tired. I got into camp 12 o'clk Monday in company with Charley. I am very thankful for the bottle of good wine you sent it proves very strengthening. In another which I shall write tomorrow when I shall have time I will give you a better description of everything the names of the killed and wounded you will see officially reported in the papers in a short time it will not be given until the correct returns are made which will take certainly two days longer as a good many are yet on the road, so lame they could not keep up. I am writing in such a hurry that / I dont believe you can read it.

 

Gov Sprague is a brave man. he done well nobly so did General Burnside. Sprague had his horse shot from under him. Col. Slocum is dead. it casts a gloom over us all. Gen Burnside & Sprague feel very bad that we were forced to retreat. they cried like children. I must now close bidding you a good night. I have returned safe from the wars and hope to see home before the week is out. Give my love to all and accept the love of your devoted husband                  

Albert.

 

P.S. we throwed away everything to favor our retreat losing all but one piece of our battery, baggage, amunition provisions baggage wagons, muskets, blankets, haversacks containing provisions, not having tasted food from Saturday night at 8 oclk until Monday noon, 12. I lost 7 lbs on the trip, just.

                       

Edith I am safe dont be worried. we stood the hot fire bravely.

 

I will you again tomorrow

Albert

                       

Only one Officer killed in the 1^st Lt Prescott Co C

SOURCES