Harper's Ferry, Va., July 23, 1861.
Since my letter from Martinsburg, I have hardly had time to
take a pen in my hand, we have been so busy.
We left Martinsburg at the time when we were ordered, and
took up our position in the column and commenced our march towards “Bunker
Hill,” where about six thousand of the rebels were encamped six or seven miles
from Martinsburg. It was a sight I never shall forget, to see this great army,
covering the roads for miles in each direction, with colors flying and bands
playing in nearly every regiment; then, after marching about two hours, to hear
cannon firing at the head of the column, telling us plainly that we had come up
with some part of the enemy. The firing soon stopped, however, and we learned,
in a short time, that the rebels were flying in confusion, and that we had
killed two and taken several men and horses prisoners.
Before long, we came up to their camps, and it was a
singular sight to see them all deserted while the fires were burning and
everything in readiness for dinner. We marched on till near night, when our
regiment camped in a beautiful grove on the so-called “Bunker Hill.” We lay
down on the ground that night, as our wagons hadn't come up. However, we were
undisturbed and got a good night's rest. The next day, the whole army was
allowed to rest, which was needed very much; the only thing that troubled us
officers was, that we could get nothing to speak of to eat; we fairly envied
the soldiers as they ate their rations. The only way we got along was by
begging some coffee and hard bread of the men. At night came the order to have
everything ready to start at a moment's notice, and to see that every man was
supplied with forty rounds of cartridges and caps. Soon after, Colonel Gordon
sent for us to say that, in all probability, we were to move on and attack
General Johnston and his army of about twenty-six thousand men, in a very few
hours.
The men slept with their rifles In their hands, and we with
our swords buckled on, but we were not roused until three o'clock, when “reveille”
was sounded in the various camps and, in a short time, we were marching again;
but, to our surprise and, I must say, disappointment, we found that we were
making what is called a flank movement instead of an advance. Towards
afternoon, our line was threatened by cavalry; our company was ordered out by
Brigadier-General Abercrombie to act as skirmishers. The enemy, however, kept
out of the way, and we soon returned to our position in column. About dark, we
halted by the side of a wheat field, and the men were allowed to stack arms and
rest, which they needed very much. Captain Curtis and I had just got fast
asleep for the night on a pile of wheat, when I was aroused by the Sergeant-Major
to be told that I must get ready to go on guard immediately; very disagreeable,
of course, but no help for it, so I got up and reported myself for duty. The
Colonel came around before long to caution me about being especially vigilant,
as there was a strong chance of an attack. I don't know how I should have got
through the night if Major Dwight had not, with his own hands, brought me out
some hard-boiled eggs and bread and butter. I devoured them as if I had never
eaten anything before. I managed, afterwards, to get some coffee, so I was all
right.
The news of our defeat at Bull Run has evidently shaken our
General. We are ordered to get ready to move at a moment's notice.
SOURCE: Charles Fessenden Morse, Letters Written
During the Civil War, 1861-1865, p. 7-9
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