Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-10
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.
Letter from Capt. Spcisei.
SrRAsBURGH, VA, NJ arch 2S.

Letter from capt SpclSel.
SrRAsBURGII, Va, NJ arch %, 1862.
MY DEAR BELOVED WIFE AND CHILDREN,
BROTHER AND FRIENDs;-I have a painful yet
proud duty to perform in giving you list Of
my dead and wounded, as well as history Of
the battle so tcarfully contested, so gallantly
fought and so VIGOROUSLY won. In doing SO
however, do not propose to repeat what you
have doubtless ten times heard, but to conlnc
myself to matters more intimately connected
whith the soldiers and their friends at home
shall herald no ones unhcard of fame, nor
indulge in fault find ing; but simply describe
what have seen, as near as can remember.
Those of my company who died in defence
of their country's flag were: Scrg't j. W.
Virgins, shot through the head; Nicholas + .
Gicslcr, shot through the head; John Fox,
shot through the head; Robert Tear shot thro
the heart Nicholas Warstin died the second
day after the battle.
Orderly Virgins, the noble, brave and cour.
ageous soldier, fell soon after we commenced
firing, and after he had sent on their errand
some or I of his accurate and cooly aimed
bullets, one of which picked rebel officer
from a white horse. He was always first among
the foremost, knew no fear, always stood cree
and maniully, looking danger in the face. II,
was the pride of my company, and he dice
beloved, honored and respected by all whC
knew him-dicd in vindic alton OF his country
nag-dicd as heroes die, ia the front ranks 0
the battle.
Giesler, the noble old Roman, the true Low
er of liberty, reared in its cradle from inlan
cy amid the pure mountains OF ofoldSwtZcrland
fell by the side of the gallant Orderly, after
having, as he told me, sent some Of the reb
els to account to their Maker for their trca
son, and may have sent more from the time
spoke to him until he fell, for he was tho
best shot in the 9th Regiment and doub
whether there was better in Gen. Shields
Division. He was cool, kind and generous
and the most anxious Of any in the compan,
to meet the enemy face to face.
John Fox, the kind and good natured John
who was always pleasant, and ready and will
ing, whether sick or well, to do his duty, fcl
about six PAGES to the left of Virgins ant
Giesler.
Robert Tear, after having assisted us in
driving the enemy out oftwo olthcir strongest
positions, from behind stone walls and rail bar
ricadcs, fell in our third charge through al
open field at the enemy in ambush in a piece
of woods on the hill. Fox and Tear wcr
both citizens of Cleveland and unknown t
you, but you may well envy the good pcopl
of Cleveland for having furnished such gallan
brave and noble men. Neither Cleveland o
Milersburg have meh of whom they may NOR
justly be proud. l am sure they are brlgt
lights among the Christian patriots who are o
the right side of the the throne Of God.
{. Nicholas Warstin neverd did much duty as
soldier, but ever shouldered his rifle an
marched with us when we had prospect 70
a battle. He was cook for the Weinsber
BOYS. On Saturday night when we starte,
for the field of battle, l told him to renal
and guard our tents and baggage, as he cou
not keep up were We to make charge. Blu
on Sunday afternoon when the news reacho
camp that his old bosom friend, Gicsler, wa
killed, he shouldercd his gun and rushed
the field of battle with determination
be revenged for the death of his friend at a
hazards. He did not, however, find us unit
Monday morning. On that day he Joined Il
in three attacks upon the enemy when W
chased them below Cedar creek, II miles from
where we started. He was also with us o
Tuesday when we drove them II 2miles further
On Tuesday night he lay down apparently we
and hearty, and in good humor. Wedne
day morning when my friend Au tenrcith II
tempted to wake him he found him dead, /
the side of Letherich, looking as though pleas
antly asleep; but alas he had gone to folio
his old friend Giesler. Wiggin, Gesler, Fo
Wastin, you have done your duty. Each al
every one Of you deserve monument. O
God! how l miss them. But such is life
such surely is war. Eternal blessings to the
souls. Peace to their ashes,
Ny boys wounded are. J. l. Rice, Miller
burg, shot through the left leg; Jacob Deg'c
near Millersburg, right knee hurt lsido
Hagle, shot through the thick of the aosh
the left arm; Corp. Leroy G. Osborn, by
shell bursting within two feet of his hea
while he was laying down, had his neryo
system SO much Jared as to render him IN
for duty for some times though he received
wound, nor did he feel the effects unit all
the battle was over. He fought on all t
first day, bravely, but SO soon as the excit
ment was over he took sick and had to
carried from the field.
Ny wounded boys all fought nobly uni
they fell and were unabled to fight any 10
ger, nor till then did they think OF the dang
surrounding them. All ofmy boys who we
in the battle (excep: probably two) fought n
bly,, standing by my Lieutenants and myse
maintaining every position we took, ney