Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-10-03
A Letter from the Army.

At the request Of a friend, we give space to the
following letter, written to his sister, by young
man favorably known here, for the information g. Of
his many friends who are anxious to hear from
| him."
NEAR MARTINsBURG, Va,
Sept %, 1862. {
DEAR SISTER BY the interpostion of kind
Providence / am still spared. and have the very
pleasant privilege of corresponding with the dear
ones at home. Since | have been in the army
have enjoyed as good health as | ever did before,
but have experienced greater hardshps than ever
expected was twelve days in catching up with
the army after l left home, ten Of which had to
60 on foot. During my travels suffered for some
thing to eat going sometimes nearly two days with
out mouthful 1t was not to be had for love nor
money, there being so many stragglers belonging to
the army who had eaten every thing in the coun-
try. l paid one dollar for a gallon of meal, and
had to walk about three miles from the road to get
it caught up with the army on Friday, at Leas-
burg, Va, since which time have been continually
on the march. went with the army through sew
eral cities and towns in Maryland We were salut-
ed by the ladies with Confederate flags from the
windows. Since left home have walked four or
five hundred miles, waded the Potomac river four
times, beside several smaller streams, sometimes in
the night-sept in my wet clothes cooked all night
been through three battles without scratch, and
endured other hardshps not worthwhile to men,
ton.
The Yankees were we'll fortified at Harper's Fer
ry, but our forces surrounded them, and on Sunday
morning regiment (the 7th) drove in their pick
cts, and during the night we went upon the same
mountain the Yankees were on, within about four
hundred yards of their entertainments, drew up in
line of BATTLE the old 7th in 'front.' and went to Sleep
Our batteries being placed in proper position on
Sunday night, opened fire soon Monday morning
After about two hours cannonading the enemy
raised the white flag, when we marched in and he
surrendered 13, 900 in number to US. We also cap
tured large quantity of stores forty-six pieces of
artillery and any quantity of good tents-that was
the only night have slept in tent since left
home On Wednesday we were marched twenty
miles back into Maryland-arrived there about two
hours before night, and the other troops that had
been there all day resting were marched out, and
our brigade, without resting, was marched in to
open the ball, which we did in splendid order. My
regiment went in first and drove brigade of Yam
KEGS before it with great slaughter About half the
men IN my company were killed and wounded
both men on my right hand were shot down; but
we drove the enemy back and slept on the battle
field two nights and one day. Their batteries were
placed on mountain where they could not be DIS
lodged, consequently during the night we marched
back to the Va side of the Potomac. We had just
crossed and stacked arms, when the enemy having
followed US up commenced Smelling US, and we had
to leave the river about five miles, where we
manned until next morning. Saturday when our
division was marched back to keep the Yankees
from crossing the river One brigade of Yankees
had crossed the river, but half of them never got
back to tell the tale We formed in line of battle
about one mile from the river, (the yankees had
several batteries the other side but none this)
and charged at double quick to the river bank driv
ing the Yankees before us, and while they were
crossing we shot them down in the river.
The banks of the river were mostly straight up,
consequently, we were about 30 feet above their
heads, and played havoc with them. During the
time we were charging across the field, and while
we were standing on the river bank, the eLemy's
batteries on the other side were throwing grape and
canister through our ranks at terrible rate. For
tunately, very few of our men were killed. The
old soldiers said it the seyerest Smelling they
ever heard. The prisoners taken (about 400 said
we were brave boys, to charge across where we did.
My officers say l fought bravely. When 1 60 on
the battlefield, feel like shall never come off but
| am thankful to my God that 1 am yet spared. l
am well pleased with my officers. Our regiment
has been in three battles in week, while others
have fought more; and if there is any thing extra to
be done, we have to do it. We had to 90 liz from. in
each battle. have seen uncle Jas. L. Joyner since
have been out lie was well. l am now on picket
duty, and while l being relieved, write this.
Write to me at Gordonsville Va, and 1 will get
the letter. Your affectionate brother,
JOSEPH d. JOINER.