MOUNT JACKSON, VA., June 14th, '62.

ED. NEWS: -- It is under rather peculiar, and to me, novel circumstances, that I attempt to write you a short letter this morning. Indeed, I am afraid it will result in nothing but an attempt. I am lying on my back and unable to get up, or help myself to any great extent, which of course makes it difficult for me to get into a very pleasant position for writing. I am pursuing the vocation of "letter writing, under difficulties." You have read of course, before this time, in the city papers, of the severe battle which was fought about 25 miles south of this place on last Sunday, between our army and the rebel army under Jackson. I was so unfortunate, or perhaps I might say, fortunate, as to get wounded in that battle. I say fortunate, because so many others are so much more severely wounded than I am, that I may be thankful for escaping as well as I did. My wound is severe, but not dangerous. A ball pierced my leg just below the knee. -- My room-mate, Sergeant Joseph Ervin, of Co. A, and myself are the only ones who were wounded of the 60th, except George Bowman, of Co. K., who died soon after. Only three of the regiment were killed. You have, no doubt, been furnished a list of the killed and wounded in time for publication before this reaches you, so it will be useless for me to write the names. It is surprising that so few of us were injured, as we were in one of the hottest places on the battle-field for a little while.

I will not attempt to tell you anything of the battle in general, as you have read all about it, and will have forgotten it, in anticipation of others more important to come, before this sees the light again.

Our trip to this place on Tuesday, the second day after the battle, was very severe on those who were badly wounded, part of it being over a mud road very much cut up. Most of the poor fellows stood it very well however. We are now quartered in the best houses of this Secesh town, and are as comfortably fixed as we could expect.

Our worthy surgeon, Dr. Noble, has shown his fitness for the position, by the promptness with which he attends upon us -- and he does not stop, like too many officers, when he had done as much as the "regulations" require, but with open-hearted generosity he furnishes out of his own pocket those dellicacies, which are ever welcome to a wounded soldier. Here he comes, now, with a bottle of lemonade. Oh, what a cool, delightful beverage for this warm day!

The 60th had done some very hard marching within the last month, and the boys are all pretty well run down. The regiment, however, has shown that the "Highland Boys" cannot be out-done in marching. It has become a common remark here, that "the 60th can out-walk any other regiment in this army." Indeed, we have acquired the title of "the lightning train." Look out for some tall walkers when we return.

This is a beautiful country; one of the best for wheat I ever saw. The wheat is fine here now, but fences are nearly all gone, and but little of it will be saved. Oh, you mad leaders of the South, how you have ruined it prosperity!

HEMAN.
[Heman B. Huggins]

Huggins, Heman B. "Letter from the 60th Ohio." The Highland Weekly News: Hillsborough, Highland, County, Ohio; July 3, 1862.

Microfilmed article contributed by Theodore E. Lewis.

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