in Camp, Martinsburg, Saturday, July 13, 1861.
Voici que nous sommes arrivés. I am in my tent, on the high ground, south of
the town of Martinsburg. Our regiment is a part of what is called General
Patterson's column, and we are on the advance post. It would have done your
pride good to have seen us form the regiment, and start on our march from
Hagerstown. My own responsible position, in rear of the column, led me to watch
its progress, to return to give orders to the rear-guard and wagons, and, in
general, to be lively. I am very well, and, though living under high pressure,
getting my load along. At about half past six on Thursday afternoon we reached
the bank of the Potomac, passing down from the high ground on which Doubleday's
battery stood two weeks ago. We camped on the bank, without crossing the river.
It was a long job getting the men into camp, and getting their supper into the
men. At four the next (yesterday) morning we were up striking tents and getting
breakfast. Then the battalion formed, and then came our first regular undress
parade. At the command, the men prepared to ford the Potomac. In a few
moments, the regiment was without its pantaloons. The vulgar prejudices
of society, I am aware, are on the side of these appendages, but society does
not cross the Potomac on foot in the freshness of the morning. The column moved
forward in regular order. The band advanced into the stream playing a confident
march, and so we passed the river gayly. Then came a long march, — thirteen
miles. We were told that the enemy's cavalry were on the hills on the Virginia
bank of the river, but we saw nothing of them, though the regiment marched with
loaded muskets. The march was a new experience, — it was an interesting one.
The morning was fresh and cool; the horses and wagons were our chief source of
delay. One balky horse jumped up, leaped over the wheel-horses, fell, and
hooked himself to the pole. He was left behind. One team spent a long time in
the river. Still, at last, the train moved on. With frequent halts, we reached
Martinsburg at three in the afternoon. We marched with music playing, and amid
some attention of thousands of troops, to our camping-ground. Then we pitched
our tents, and, in the midst of a violent thunder-storm, mounted our guns, got
supper, and then I suppose you expect me to say went to bed. Not so, however,
the Major. Instead of bed, which I desired, I went about in the pouring rain to
visit sentinels, see that the men had supper, &c., &c. At twelve o'clock I crept under cover. At five
this morning, got up, put on wet boots, and went on duty again. To-day I have
been attending drills, &c. I see clearly that there is no rest in this
life. With care, I can keep well, I think, and I hope can do well for the men.
But the care is a very great one. I have written this note in the midst of
interruptions of every kind, and I have no more time now. We are under orders
to move on Monday somewhither. We are in a beautiful country; everything here
is new under the sun, or rather under the clouds. That, in itself, is spicy and
cheering. In great haste. . . . with
much love to all.
SOURCE: Elizabeth Amelia Dwight, Editor, Life and
Letters of Wilder Dwight: Lieut.-Col. Second Mass. Inf. Vols., p. 47-8
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