Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-07-10
Letter from the 67th Regiment.

CAMP NEAR FRONT ROYAL, VA, June Is.
Mr.. JoHN KlMERER-Dcar Sir: Having little /
leisure time this evening, thought could not y
spend it more satisfactorily to myself than by
writing few lines to you. We left New Mar.
kct on the 10Th of May and marched via Luray,
Front Royal, Warrcnton and Walrenton Junction,
to Fredericksburg, distance of one hundred and
ten miles. We remained at Fredericksburg two
days, and passed in Review before President Lin.
coin, Secretary Stanton and Seward. Our situa-
ton was comfortable enough here, having plenty
of good ca ing, drinking and other comforts that
we hid been unused to so long. To find our.
selves sitting down to a supper of cells, oysters,
fish and fruit, bought at reasonable prices besides
our rations of soft bread, pork, etc, made us for
get the past. And we were proud, too, of being
numbered with McDowcll's Division, in the army
of the Rapahannock 9u all this soon vanished
upon hearing of Jackson's raid up the Valley aud
Banks retreat through Winchester to Williams
port The news disheartcned the boys when it
was noiscd through camp that we we've to march
at o'clock in the morning for the Shenandoah
Valley, again TO be exposed to its cont nual rains,
and cold nights without tents and the means of
transportat ion for provisions or baggage Our
dissatisfaction availcth nothing, however, as we
are compelled to float around at the will of our
officers. Accordingly we marched back over the
same road we went to Catlett Station and from
there via Manassas Junction, Rectortown, and
Manassas Gap, to Front Royal, where VIC arrived
in the forenoon of May 30th, Daum planted Il
RnttprV in "A nOsitipu m nnliuo tln nd
threw a few shells into it from Parrot Gun,
while our regiment was getting possession of an
adjoining hill ly a flank movement. The Rebels
were found to be rctreating without making Il
show OF resistance, and the dark coorcd smoke
that envcoped the town indicated their burning
We started on double quick, making the place
hidcous with their yells; the citizens got scared
at our appearance, and the women begged of us
not to hurt them, as they had done us no harm,
which created considerable mcrriment among the
boys. Upon being assured, however, that we
would protect them, they became friendly enough,
| A iter running about five miles, we came to hault
on hill commanding the surrounding country,
planted our batteries, and prepared to camp. We
were compelled to bivouac without blankets, as
we had left our wagons at Rectortown the even
ing before. We scarcely needed the rain as it
came down in torrents, drenching us through and
rendering everything disagrccabc, We were SO
eated with the victory we had obtained and busted
with counting the spoils, which footed up as fol-
lows Rebels captured, 900 killed, wagons
captured, loaded. 10 several loaded with Sccesh
company goods, provisions, etc., and one loaded
witt. whlskey. which last article was of the best
quality and the boys became merry over its intlu-
cnce' Our loss was killed and several wounded
all of the New Hampshire Cavalry. On Saturday
afternoon, May 3lst, our pickcts discovered a re-
connoitering party of Rebels coming down the
Winchester Pike towards our position. General
Cano's Brigade was sent out to meet them
| They opened on each other with shell and grape
but the Rebels soon deemed it prudent to fall
back. Two members Of our company, Il. B. Duu
and S. J. Warner were out in that direction and
taken prisoners by the Rebels. The day was ex
citing, but as the evening came on the excitement
wore away, and we retired to rest.
The next morning, Immediately after roll.call
the roar of cannon was heard, followed by thu
rafting sound of musketry. We were ord cred
to bc ready at moments warning, and about II
O'Clock we marched up the Winchester Pike tC
attack Jackson in the rear, while Banks was ad
yancing from Winchester, and Brnker and Ere
mont from lIarrisonburgh. Information camC
that Jackeon had been routed and was on full re
treat through Strausburgh. We about faced ant
started towards Leuray, arriving there about noo,
ON Tuesday, but found our further advance stop
ped by the bridge over the river being burned ant
our passage across the stream disputed by Il larg,
! force of Rebels We went into camp and re
maincd there until Thursday morning, when W,
moved up the gver ten miles and tried to con
struct temporary bridge, but found it impossible
and returned to Leuray on Friday morning.
Sunday we again broke up camp and marcheC
to reinforce the 81 and 4th Brigades at Port Re
public, distant about 10 miles. We marched til
after midnight and then rested by the roadside til
daylight, when we moved on and arrived withil
III miles of our destination about noon. Here VI
found the Sd and 4th Brigades in full retreat, fol
lowed by artillery, cavalry and infantry. Capt
, I''NNN 80" SN''N'l ~ ldslllOllJ anu luU ~
Va, eth Ohio and 18th Ind were stationed out t
prevent a flank movement and support the batter
until the I'd Brigade came up. We went out witt
one Parrot Gun TO cover the retreat, aad lad pro
ceedcd about half a mile when we were met b
wounded men retr"atng in disorder, without gun
or cartridge boxes as we advad ccd they bccam
numerous, and looked very much like a panic
The efficient mcc letreatcd in good order, fghtin
the Rebels as they went. We formed into lin
aud fixed bayonets for charge, but the Rebel
? coming to a stand, our Parrot Gun opened o
them. Considering our situation, after all wer
within the lines, we fell back and went into cam
about six Or eight miles from the battle ground
leaving Jackson to occupy it unmolested w
Z went back to Leuray on Thursday and RENAME
g there in camp until Sunday, when we started 70