The Cecil Whig., 1862-06-21
Correspondence.
Correspondence of The Cecil Whig:l
LETTER FROM "BIG ELK"
CAMP on BATTLE FIELD AT FAIR OAK)
STATION, near RichrTead, Va,
Friday, .lnue 18th, 1862.

CAMP on BATTLE FIELD At FAIR OAK)
STATION, near Richusad, Va, :
Friday, .nue 18th, 1862.
DEAR WulG.-A few days ago, hurrirdly
wrote you line or two. simply to let you
know Of our whereabouts.
We are cncamped on the e-fcld of
Fair Oaks. We are near the Railroad sta
ton of that name; in Frcnch's Brigade,
Richai dson's Division, Summers Corps
SO you see that our General Officers are
aH rehi. We are soldiers now ; and no
mistake Not Il man of the Regiment is
allowed to take off his clothes at any time
Every man's rifle is kept boadsd and we
never think Of sleeping without cur car.
fridge boxes are buckled upon u.s. In fact
we are with the advance of the center of the
main army; and know not at what hour we
may be called upon to take part in our first
battle. Often during the day OF night we
are called into line of battle.
Last Sunday was day that the End Del.
aware will never forget. Nearly all day we
lay upon our arms, waiting for the rebels to
make their appearance from q woods in
which they were enclosed. Part of thc
time their bombs and bullets were flying
arc und and over us. But the day passed
without general battle, the fight being
mostly between the pickcts.
When we arrived on this ground a week
or more ago, the dead and wounded were
still lying around. Many of the dead rebels
had not been buried; dozens of dead
horses lying around, causing dreadful
stencil. The slaughter of the rebels ON
Sunday of the fight was awful.
Fair Oaks is a station to which immense
quantities of army supplies are brought -
There is almost n continual fire kept up
between the sharp shooters Of the armies
and many poor fellow is picked oil.
Often we have lot of shells sent over to
us; | suppose to let us know they are
still about. None of our Regiment have
been killed yct although a number Of a
Minnesota regiment were killed this morn
ing by the enemy shells. There is a tall
tree near our camp used by our soldiers as
II lookout tree; but it is Il dangerous pla, C
to go up ON that old tree. Occasionally
some one ventures up, but they always
get down much sooner than they got up
The tree is in range of the rebel sharp
shooters. and this is why any one who gets
up always gets down so fast. | hear sight
Of Richmond can be had from the tree top
hare not been mp yet
Snow Cecil co. Battery of field artillery
had a furious artillery fight IL day or two ago
They were protecting IA working party, who
were bridging the Chickahominv. opposite
portcrs Division; SO that Porter might
cross over the stream. There were four
rebel batteries opposed to them. and Capt
Snow with his six guns made them leave
The Battery was under fire for three hours :;
and during that time fired nearly one thous.
OF. horses and had one or two men slightly
wounded. The coolness and bravery of the
men of the Battery Is much spoken of along
the line. From dcscrtcr from the rebels,
Gen. Porter learned that number of men
and officers of the rebel batteries were killed.
and number Of heir guns disabled and
sllenced. AT any rate they retired in the
greatest confusion. We were standing in
line Of battle this afternoon when General
Mcclellan rode hy; he is a fine looking
officer, and without II shadow of a doubt he
is the lavorite of the army. AS to Co. &C.
have uot much to say; have not the least
doubt; that if we are ever brought into
action. we will do our duty nobly. You
would have been surprised at the coolness
of the men calm and cool the mark of Il
brave and determmed man when in danger.
Our Regiment was paid ofi'this afternoon.
The men of Co. &C. " have sent to their
homes about iitceu hundred dollars This
Is Il very poor place to spend our money
Only Il few suffers are near us. and they
have very little except tobacco, and paper
and ink.
We all wish to be kindly remcmbelcd by
our friends. Aenaua our little camp fires;
the usual talk is Of the old folks at home,
aud OF the pleasant times we used to know.
May the good Lord take care of us all. In
all probability we will not all get home
again.
The boys are merry. and ready for any
thing that may turn up. Good bye for the
present.
Tell our friends to direct thus: French, $
Brigade. Richardson $ Division, Sunni cr $
Corps, Co. &C." Ind Del EoL
Yours very truely, Bic Elk.