Camp of 33^d Mass. Vols. March 23d 1864

 

Rev L R Eastman Jr

            Dear Sir. I received your very kind letter of March 11^th yesterday. I will try to answer although am unacustomed to writing, or even conversing with that ease and smoothness, that persons who are in the habit of public speaking obtain. When I received your letter we were having the first snow storm of the season. On the morning of the 22d of March the snow was about six inches deep, at night it was not over two, and today it has about all disappered. Last week the peach trees had bossomed and there was a fair prospect of a large crop of this delicious fruit. I am afraid that this sudden and unexpected storm will spoil the prospect.

 

            You will pardon me for saying that I have thought a great deal about you although I never have seen you but once (that is if my memory does not fail me). The first time that I heard of you was while sick in Hospital at Washington. am I right.

 

            We are encamped about 3 miles from Lookout Mountain and have been here since the 16^th of Dec 1863. The hill that our regiment charged on the night of Oct 29^th 1863 is about 2 miles from my tent. If our regiment had not carried that hill Gen Thomas would have had to retreat from Chattanooga, a retreat once commenced would not have stoped at Bridgeport. In the battle of Lookout mountain, or I should say Chattanooga, if a Pontoon bridge had not broken, Gen Hooker could not have drove the rebels from Lookout Mountain. But the bridge broke General Thaynes brigade could not cross then Tennessee. The rebels supposing that Lookout was impregnable massed all their army upon our Left where Gen Sherman was operating and they had succesfully resisted his attacks. General Thomas taking advantage of this movement of the rebels, charged their center in six columns while Hooker turned their right and drove them from Mission range. By the providence of God we was not engaged very warm in the battle. But on the morning of Nov 25^th we was at the front when Thomas charged the whole line and I was in the skirmish line. at 9 AM orders came for us to report on Shermans left flank in order to keep the rebels from turning his flank and getting in his rear. although not engaged yet we had one of the most important positions in the battle

 

            It is over one year since I began to think of the welfare of my soul. The regiment was on Picket (this was while we was at Stafford Court House Va) I was alone in my tent when the question came up in my mind, are you prepared to meet your last Judge? are you prepared to lead men in the charge? and have you prepared yourself in case you should be killed? Why should you not be condemned without one plea? I could not rest, before morning I determined to find rest and there was only one way, to acknowledge Christ, and to throw myself at his feet. For I had his promis that athough your sins are as crimson yet they shall be as white as wool. I conversed with three good men Johnson of Co K Crockett Co E and Burrage of Co H. All three of them have fallen in the cause of their Country They were Christerns, and was prepared to meet their God. Two of them Burrage and Crockett was killed out-right. Johnson Lived 3 or 4 days. I could not visit him for we was busily engaged throwing up rifle pits, and erecting batteries. He died happy was cheerful to the last, and had no fear when he crossed the river, he was received by the angles with joy. May his ashes rest in peace.

 

            We have had two deaths in the regiment since we hav been in this camp, both died in Christ an they have been lain in the silent tomb far from friends, and homes. No mother, sister, or kind friends to receive their last sigh, still they were sincerely mourned by those who followed them to their last resting place. The Chaplin was teling me last night of the death of a little drummer boy belonging to 73d Ohio Vols The little fellow was very sick, but did not think that he was dying His first question was, “are you not a Chaplin?” yes, “I am very sick, am I not Chaplin?” yes my dear boy, “Do you think that I shall get over it?” I do not know you are very sick, “Do you suppose that Jesus would let me into heaven? Mother and sisters are good and they taught me to say my prayers.” Do you suppose that Christ would let me into heaven? Can you not tell me something to say. I have for gotten the words that Mother and sister taught me. Oh tell me some thing to say! “Can you repeat the Lords prayer? yes. after some more talk the Chaplin kissed him good by and the little felow passed away before morning. We have services every sunday, and sometimes when the men are not on picket we have evening services during the week. 2 weeks ago last sunday night we had quite an interesting meeting The adjutant of the Regt Liut Blood was a church member at home but since we have been out here has not lived up to his profession He spoke, and confessed that he had not as he had ought to But here after with the blessing of God, I will so do so that no one shall be harmed by me.” I will not write any more as the Chaplin wishes to send you a few words. May God be with you and strengthen you and aid you in the conversion of souls. May his blessings pour out upon the Church and Sabbath school. May his presence be with you all. Please write as often as you can get time I will do my best in answering. I will close with respect

 

                                                                        Yours truly

                                                                                    Edgar L Bumpus

 

Rev and dear Rev.

            I am glad to add a line and say that I find in Lieut B a warm hearted Christian friend. The first Sun. Evening that I had services, he “nailed the Christian flag to the mast” before the Regiment. And he is more respected and loved by Officers & men for this stand.—Here as at home the man does not hesitate “to Glory in the Cross of Christ” gains much love with ing—I am trying to do my duty to these men, some of them deserve to be in eternity (in all probabilty) and God does bless me & my efforts—I never realized the intense Meaning of that passage “Working hands do” as now and here.—How glad I am that you thought to write to Lieut B—Would that all home pasters would thus remember the absent members of their flock. Pray for us, for me for oh I do need sympathy & the prayers of God’s people—God bless you—aff. yr Br.

I. S. Cushman

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