New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-06-18
&" CASEY'S EDWARDS"
Private letter from private to his sis,er)
L =

MY DEAR SUSIE: see plainly by yours of the
3Oth that you are not in good spirits at home as
we soldiers are, and prescribe trip to camp as
certain cure. Tire news Of our disgraceful and
inexplicable' conduct must have already reached
you however, and suppose you will be very indif-
erent about the fortunes Of one who had the misor-
tune to belong TO Casey's cowardly DIVISION"
For having been damned by so great name, what
lesser voice could uphold us, or who could listen to
IT'D Alas we are fallen from grace for us there
can be hereafter no salvation. 1t to no purpose
that some letter writers have TO the conclusion
that the devil is not black he Is painted Gen.
Mcclellan knows who Is who, and therefore VIII VIC
he Casey towards 10 the end Of time But there
il strong conviction on the minds OF our oircers
aud men that have been most unJustly and cruelty
cepsured and perhaps you at home would ike 10
hear a few facts in the In the first place there
yyas no, one Of our regiment knew he was going 10
battle until we We're marched out. We were called
TO arms while receiving our rat0ns. picket, re-
enforcement, or reconnaissance, was the extent oil
our spsculsilons. As we marched up the road the
returning pickes and the opening lire from our bat
,eIies gave us the frat glimpse Of the truth, at
which I know not one Of the men faItered, bnt
marched no steadily and were formed in line Of bat
tie while the enemys bullets were already " mig
ing" about on In the second place and which
have no sOr: Of doubt was the immediate cauee OF
rounds ordered 20 charge bayone;s through an
abbaiis in which il was impossible 10 keep any
regular line and where Of course the unity OF action
80 essential in succe sful charge, was entirely de-
stroyed The bows went al Il bravely, however,
though il needed no military science to tell how
suicidal the effort was The Rebels were three to
our one within half musket range. and as our boys
rose over the fallen timber they shot them down
easily. No one thought OF retrea,ing, however,
until the order was given, aud that heard repeated
I IaNov 4 a MAJ IN
bows did not TO comprehend how It could be
that they were ordered into 20 heavy ire merely
TO be ordered back again. These little military ex-
perimenis in flesh and bones and blood were not
taken into their calculations. When we dd retreat
IL is true we were in some disorder. II could not
fail 10 be otherwise. We were ordered 10 turn our
backs when the Rebels were almost within Jumping
distance, and If there was any panic any fear II
was then, when they were shooting Us from behind
| know our regiment would nave advanced into
their midst. and suffered annibaiion there without
hinchinQ. Having got clear OF The ab5sis, we again
formed in good limo behind rail fence. but Z. ;.
was 100 close and 90 many for our almost deemated
regiment. Another falling back, IN which we had
70 march through terrible piece OF low, swampy
ground and the IODth, as a regiment, was no more
that day Parties, however, mixed in everywhere
with other regiments, rallied behind rfe-pts,
redoub, fallen trees and al every available point
continued 10 40 good service until the nnai retreat
Let those who are disposed to rid;cule IA having
figured in Bull Run affair, look at tae terrible list
Of the killed and wounded III onr company. Foi
instance A. rank aud file went into the battle, % Of
these were killed or badly wounded, while
nearly every man that remained had some
token Of our warm feeepiion-Duhei-h"le'
through their coats, hats, &c. Does this
iooA rs Il we had made haste to throw away on
arms and run OF more frightened than nurtl ON
whole div sion had not more than D. 900 pe1, who
contesi ed for than hour the advance OF I'VE
or six times their number. Here is a iona of buck
shot for McClelisn's grape aud canister. If yOu
could have taaen. peep into our tents with youI
letters YOU would have no fear Of sickness for me-
I'm N first rate health and spirits. Got Secesl
gun and a bullet hole IN my coat. to bring home a;
:, ophie, The mail ia waiting Yours n.