1 ½ miles from Frederick City, on the Harper’s Ferry road,
August 2, 1864.
Dearest Wife,
I think that the last letter was written on the Hills west of Harper’s Ferry. In a few minutes after it was finished we all started for Maryland, again marched all night or rather we were marching all night. It took a long time to cross the river. We had no cattle and came along as we were a mind, bathed in the Potomac and stopped where we pleased, calculating to keep near or division. That part of the 8th corps with us led the
column across the river, the 19th corps next, our Corps next, the first division of it leading the 2d ours next, the 3d bringing up the rear, the 2nd Brigade of the 2d, -the one Zopher is in were in rear of train as train guard. I believe the world knows nothing of the number of troops here, or what they are. No newspapers ever mention us. Our movements have been curious, but to my mind they are now plain. I know not as it will interest you, but after giving an account of the march here I will give you my speculations. At about 2 ½ in the morning we laid down on the grass near Petersville, seven miles from Harper’s Ferry, got up at 3 ½ and started. Found the 3d division coming in. The 1st went into camp at the time we laid down, the 3d at the time we arose from our dewey couches (there was a dew that night). We drew our cattle from the Corps herd and stopped until nine o’clock when the troops moved again, the hottest forenoon I ever saw, men falling from the heat all the time (some died). We drove the cattle until one of the butchers fell and one of the guard. It was 11 o’clock. We stopped the cattle and remained still until 3 o’clock P.M. the troops moving slowly. We were 12 miles from Frederick. Passed through Jefferson, came on until near sundown when halted. Probably an army never moved on a hotter day, the distance passed by our division and the 1st was but 10 ½ miles, but ’twas awful. There was one man in Co. D that dropped as if dead, was insensible, for sometime, but hear that he is getting better. His name is Sam O. Ludd from Richford (must stop and drink my coffee).
Laid down and slept without anything over me, took off the blouse even and was warm and comfortable enough in the morning. That part of the 3d division had been acting as our train guard came up. I went to the road to see Zopher, and soon I saw him marching along in the ranks. Said that he was all right. The fortnight was out and we were relieved from the cattle guard and came back to the company and Tinkham and I pitched our tents together again. He has been well since we passed through Leesburgh on our way to Snicker’s Gap and has never fallen out of the ranks, not even for soft bread and milk. I have bought but one cup full of sour milk since I joined the regiment, though the boys were crazy for bread and milk. This morning Tinkham gave me some money to go and get some bread and milk. I got some milk, a canteen full, and a dozen biscuits. He ate all the milk and most of the biscuits. I like hard tack, and think it better to confine myself to it, though I should have no objection to soft bread. I got a pass for Tinkham and he has gone to the city to buy me a two quart pail, some paper and envelopes, a jack knife, and bottle of ink for I am nearly broke on such things.
We are having a fine rest here. The sore feet are getting better. We are in a beautiful oak grove, level, no underbrush, and good springs and wells all round. There has been no rain here yet and the corn suffers badly. When I went for milk this morning I passed over a ridge of land and could look for ten miles to the East over as fine a country as the eye ever rested upon, great barns and great stacks of wheat. I wished that you were with me to enjoy it. There is longing in my heart for the time to come when in some place in the far West we shall stick our stakes and enjoy home again, wife, children, home, cattle, sheep, colts, wheat and corn, how delightful to think of, now how much better to enjoy, but to enjoy to the fullest extent must have a country of which one can feel proud, and to have such a one it must be defended with strong hands and willing hearts out upon the coward hearts that shrink from the field they are willing to see there, at the feet of Jeff Davis or any other tyrant that they may enjoy their ease. How many there are that have no souls. I will never live among such if I can help it.
This morning we had orders to move, packed up formed in line, stacked arms then rest, in about ten minutes the order countermanded and the tents are up again. The order was for us to go to Baltimore and Washington to take transports for City Point. We had the same at Washington. It fooled the Rebs and the world know not where we are. There is a thing going on here that is hard but good. When the Rebs came in here the secesh though the time had come, and were active in pointing out rich plantations of Union men, giving them the position of our army and guiding them by the nearest roads, and in many cases guarding bridges, that the rebels had to cross to keep the Union men from destroying. Now they are to be sent through our lines out into barren rebeldom and their property to be confiscated to compensate the Union men for their losses. There are several fine mansions in Frederick that will lose its occupants. When the Rebs were here they robbed the Union men, they robbed the Secesh or made them go with them.
The people here have many an interesting tale to tell. One I must tell, told this morning by a widow lady. She heard the Rebs were coming. Got most of the cattle and sheep out of the way and the colts and hogs, &c., but not enough so to fight she had time to get her horses into the barn. There was a great load in the floor, and the barn was well filled up by the side of the road and at the other end so that the floor appeared to be full of wheat, put a plenty of wheat under their feet so as to prevent their stepping from being heard; they came, but they heard them not, but they got nothing from her but sharp words. Now the neighbor, they came he told them that he was all right. They wanted to have him give them a certificate of his principles, that he gave willingly, soon an officer came and asked him if that was his certificate, he answered yes, then you must contribute to the cause, he answered yes, then you must contribute to the cause, and all his cattle that were fat, and all his horses that were serviceable were taken. The best sheep and hogs the same, but the worst of all was that in a cause that was so dear to his heart he must give his personal service, but in the confusion among the cattle, horses, hogs, etc. he found the woods, and then everything on the place was destroyed, some broken, some burned, all but the building. His wheat is in the field now. His Union neighbors are well pleased. He has not a word to say. His property will probably escape confiscation. I was gong to give you a military opinion of the movements of the Rebs, but I have not room. I will give one opinion, that is, if the North is true to itself this year will see a close of the war, if not disgrace and prolongation the rebels of Atlanta and Richmond fight with the desperation of despair. Everything hangs on these two points; they dare not take an infantry force far North when the 6th Army corps is here though it is sadly reduced in numbers.
Yours in love,
Charles.
