CAMP CORRESPONDENCE
From
the
Bucktail Rifles
Camp of
the 1st Bucktail Rifles
Near
Rappahannock
July 30,
1863
The mail has just
arrived and with it that welcome visitor, the Gazette of the 16th
and 23rd, which reminds me that I have forgot my usual weekly
letter. We have at last been brought to
a stand, for what reason I know not, after thirty-four days of the hardest
marching ever experienced by the Army of the Potomac, the driving of Lee and
his army back to his old line on the Rappahannock, is a sufficient recompense
for the sufferings and privations endured by this army during the memorable
month of July, 1863.
My last letter
was written, I believe, near Percleville, Virginia, since which time as will be
seen by the heading of my letter, we have made quite considerable progress
towards the much coveted Richmond.
Since then we marched up to Manassas Gap, where we found the “Johnnies”
in possession of one end, while our cavalry held the other. Soon after our arrival, the 3rd
corps was placed in line, and moved forward toward the Gap, followed closely by
our corps, until both lines, together with the 2nd corps, who were
acting I believe as a Reserve, gained a position on the surrounding hills,
where we slept for the night. Next
morning our line again made an advance.
Our regiment was deployed as skirmishers, and were compelled to climb a
mountain something similar to the one back of the Mansion House at Mauch Chunk,
and owing to it being a very hot day it was no easy task I assure you, but the
boys took to it, and succeeded in gaining the summit without meeting with the
Rebs. In the meantime the forces below
us had advanced through the Gap, driving out the Rebs, who only consisted of
one Division, and retreated when our forces advanced. A few prisoners were captured, but how many I did not learn. The same day we again took up our march
toward Warrenton, without rations, the lads subsisting on one ration of fresh
beef, without salt, for forty-eight hours; the country too, was pretty well
cleaned out, as that we could not forage and “live on the enemy”, ‘Blenker’s
Dutch’ having cleared this region of everything during the memorable Pope
campaign. At last we arrived at
Warrenton, where our supply train, with plenty of good, hard tack and pork,
sugar and coffee, awaited us. Never did
the army bread taste so good as it did after our 48 hours fasting; in fact, I
began to think a fellow can after all find worse fare than that supplied by our
worthy old boss, Uncle Sam.
After receiving
three days rations, our division, together with Beauforts’s division of
cavalry, started for the Rappahannock, near which point we arrived and encamped
yesterday. I do not pretend to know
what we are going to do here, but as the engineers are bridging the above named
stream, I suppose we are here as a support and guard. It is rumored in camp, this morning that our cavalry had had a
muss with the “Johnnies” at Culpepper, but how true it is I am unable to
say.
Details from all
the Pennsylvania Regiments started a few days ago for Harrisburg, to bring on
the drafted men, and we soon expect our regiment to be again filled to its
maximum number. Our company needs
sixty-one men, whilst the total number needed in the Regiment is about six
hundred and fifty. I think with all the
regiments filled, we will be able to give Mr. Lee one of the hardest jobs he
ever had on his hands, to hold Richmond.
Of one thing I am positive, Gen. Meade will not dig entrenchments within
sight of the rebel capital, and then run from them. This army is about as ambitious as any of our Western troops, and
hence feel anxious to fetch Richmond as they did Vicksburg.
We were very
sorry to learn by last Gazette of the death of our former companion, John
Leidy. We had met him frequently since
we are in the army, he having called on us several times. From members of his company with whom we were
acquainted, we learn he was among the braves of the gallant Wisconsin 2nd,
never failing to go wherever ordered.
Our term of
service is rapidly drawing to a close, and in nine months more we hope to again
be with you, and the rebels to have been conquered.
Truly
yours
Tinicium
*********************************
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October, 2003