The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1863-05-30
Correspondence.


experience OF a Prisoner OF War
AMERIcay House.
Annspoli-. Md, May 18th 1863 7
. PR. EpiToR:-1 Thought few lines fiA the Ind
Delaware would be very ce table SO think my duty
10 let you knew whereabouts with few items of our
doigs, DC pior IL our capture
The Regiment left camp Falmouth, April 2sth. at
A. NJ, for the right; marched two hours then we
supp.ed would encainp for the night: raining all
the afternoon; left camp at N. for fatigue duty
loo men threw up six brcastwurks opposite the Rebel
batteries which were in sight almost finished part
when relieved at 10 p arrived 1T old camp ground II
NJ Z'th-Len camp P. ~. marched six miles. and
encampcd III the woods for the night; Re smcnt
Wrked haid though heavy details made all round
a.th-Ltit camp a. NJ. marched three miles through
| the muG; the Regiment then detailed to dig the
potoons out If the mud, assist in laying them &c. the
fst bridge was completed by II M without forces
being H"iesel after all the throops having crossed our
Regiment working hard, it ordered at p ~;
marched until IL p NJ, when we arrived up to
hrs; many prisoners captured aud conducted to
the rear, which gratifcd us ALL May l-Remained in
camp In quetnes5 until IL NJ. when heavy canuonainp
commenced in front: all ready. waiting for orders
received orders at P NJ to go to the 'front.' did not get
engaged after remaining there some two huuis We
sent 10 inc rear Tor purposes not known infantry
engaged, aud nsny wounded on both sides dusk our
brigade was ordered to the 'front.' supported the
pcke's and siirmshers all night the Rebels sheilcd US
from to P M" and thong rhey had good tango U.S.
| not u man was hit; we were relieved at daylight, but
| only to make a flank movement. 2nd-Mate the move
IN the woods TO the left, formed in line Of battle await
ing the encmys approach II A. NJ. heavy cannoac ing
commenced on our right; Brigade and Division bat
terles were engaged; We Immediately threw up breast
works dug rihe-pits, &C. all along lines 1T II ~
most OF the regiment was sent out picket; pickets
and skrmishers firing all the afternoon; the Rebels
sheiled our hreastwurks but did danagc remain
ing portion Of our Regiment lying in the wo awaiting
the enemy advance: our nick w.r. engaged off mi
ON all DAY; the enemy advanced in force trying carry
eur works but were fepused every time Regiment
lost two ISen wounded arl-Sunday morning-Shortly
Mter oaybreak was ordered on picket, with Lieuts
Jordan air Jones and 10 men; had command Of the
1etali after reporting AM, forming the left Of the
il5th Reg. Pa. Vols, by order Of Major Scott was
Informed by the Lieut. Colonel commanding the Keri
neht mat We we're the reserve: but in few minutes
hiing commenced On our left and was ordered send
one-ihird Of my detail in ! Immediately did 80. in com,
mand Of Lieut. Jones' i'll about minutes after firing
commenced in my 'front.' wac then ordered in by Lieut.
Colonel commenting; advanced my in line, and
before coming to the iepts depuyed them the sharr-
shooters firing close and quick here Lieut. Jordan
c." c. shat in the while in the act Of sittin
down; he walked on the field OF about noon there
was heavy lighting right detail was under n
ierce fire Of shell and bullets for should Judge hour
on more: the slafpslootes hit several of my men, Of
Co Il. and Co. b.. when suddenly some men we're seen
running from our right to the rear my wanted to
do the same, but drew bead the leader aud threat
ened to shoot him If he did net return whrh ne did:
had no "riefa to fall back and therefore told them II was
.me 70 run when said So the Goth n. Y officers then
tod their men 10 fail back my being mixed with
ein also fell back doubt many of them re chct our
lines STE but Lieut.. Jones, SO and myself to nv
Nm""'aEe, were taken prisoners, together with MANY
officers and men Of other commands: Brig g ener,l
Hayes and SIAN Colon"s Lieut. ,Councls, Majors Can
rinS. LIST and 2nl ieucl,ants to the number Of Ig
my sword surrendered to Lieutenant of the 4tl Ga
Captain Of the 66th n Y by that time came up when
private step out to him and said he wanted his sword,
the captain told HIM he could not have it, but that he
would give it To his Captain which the private took
hold u" him with his left hand and struck him IA stunning
blow with his right hand. telling him the ground m
this was done i'll front Of his Regiment officers and men
looking Mt the brute. without s,yin. word and the
poor '."w without hny,hins or any body to defend him
We then took np our line If march for Richmond with
the disagreehie odor If Rebels our sides in the shape
of guards-lut blackRuarls they wcre reaching the
plank road We we've hurried up and greeted by Here
comes thed--n lankrrs!" Kill them" &C. &C.. IIows
Fighting joe :" Has he crossrd the rver" marched
five miles and en- 'nmpcd for the night: We passed
llli hon
two previous, aud such sight before witnessed
the killed and wounded actually lying in heaps the
h" TWO to our ~ne; our grape Hnd canister had done
their work lth--StGried ut daylight via blank road
for Richmond; did not walk fast owing to being
sick and wounded; encamped early, To start again NJ
dusk started, and marched about two miles. cavalry
guarding us: they sent one in short time
came lying back and spoke in secret TO the officers;
were halted ana turned back the for their doing
this was that they If cavalry had
they kept on, have doubt could have been recap
tured; nothing to eat the Confcds striped our men
Of nearly everything. 5th-StnrteI about A. NJ for
Guinea Stations nothing to eat: bought gingernuts
at $50 Per pint arrived SpJtlsylvnna Court House
about dusk officers and confined inside the
yard, with the guard on the outside: subject
7narls and yeIls Of the l'e1 until bed time. Gth-was
awakened early for another start officers were treated
well by those in charge Of them furnished gratis with
drink Of peach brandy: Capt Beck of the 44th Ga
had us in charge; arrived at Guinea Station p M
morning to eat our men suffering to tlod God knows
how the Rchs s"nd it, they had nothing for some time
IAe roads were lined with Confcd woundei--never
many: the ambulanccs. wagons &c. going md
from Hospitals continually commenced raining in tor
rents shortly after onr arrival poor dis without
shelter. aui full of dust very had any shelter at nil
at night 70 OF Us with guard, had the liberty leave
camp 10 hunt up shelter; all succeeded except another
and myself: had We known the road we could have made
our escape at last We went into Hospital sat up
If the rain, drank cnntccn of whisky steward stole
for us and returned to camp early. 7thWere told
would start early in the cars for Richmond but they
loaded with wounded: storn"d nearly MI day, and
bitter cvl at T. N. the officers ordered to fall in
fer the nfr g., to iehmona raining very heavy stood
waiting at the cars to get in until II p when all
aboard WAS cried; onehaif then returned to camp to
stand in water ankle aud waist deep in places;
ccved that afternoon forgot to MENTION pint of
flour. and about ID salt horse made lead cakes. and
had meal for the first time since capture. sth-
Officers aboard the for Richmond the poor men had
to foot it, notwithstanding many Of them c, ud hay.
rid,cn arrived in Richmond ut p. streets cr wded
with Corfels who threw many insulting remarks Mt ma
such On Yankees 7! Got to Richmoud at last ~
sc" &C.. was conducted into the Libby Warehouse. and
by p. m all hands were searched; such coffee and
sugar they confscated, money $40 also ake
names registered once more making the sixth time, and
then consigned to different rooms (foors) nothing to
bnnks Tor two, here and there. 9th-Slept toleraby
well: n. m. half allowance of fresh bread for two
meals, was brought with fitch many Confeds.
visited us during the day; Captain "a misSter) had
prayer at p H. which was appropriate for
prisoners Of war; rights country, Union &C., some
visitors CARRIED in brilliant Confci. uniforms. through
ignorance or contempt talked aloud. lGth-Suniay-
All well the same ratons usual which really
barely enough for one meal; slept the greater part
OF the time to forget hnngcr officer kcd .Oh.
that only had end Of my mothers disl-coth to suck
at How much better would feel ~ had Divine service
sang Union hymns &C.; after that was over, looked at
the ladies: was looking when officer below cried
out. Keep your id Yankee head in there, if YOU do
not want ball put through it," l complied with his
ungrateful request. giving him a hateful smile; no,
having half enough To eat sent out for bread Coffee eggs
&C. at outhndish prices ground parchcd labeled
family coffee, 81 y 10, eggs $500 4 dozen, onc-half
rotten; evening" our men arrived afoo and war-worn,
dirty looking set they but half hard as the
Contcls. and nevertheless with my eyes those
sneaknS Buttcrnus take the clothing from dead
mems bodies and their shoes before they actually
done kicking. 11th-All we; received eggs and sugar
at 81 40 = h. and black at that Coutcds visited dur
ing the day; in the evening had prayer singing Of
patriotic hymns, &c; during the morninE received the
Rcb. papers, y sheet 20 cts, "Jafksons death" the
paper horlrrcd aud lined with heavy deep black. 18th
Arose early, quite refreshed; received the morning
papers, dcnnnncing the Yanks Resolutions the death
Of S:Uncwa!l stores to be closed, Conted Home Guards
to place the Yankees will have the chance of seeing
him go To- received half loaf, 3 cts. worth, Of
bread for the day h Of liver. Ia be divided betwee,
tlnr hearty potatoes selling Mt SID per bush, flour
Oc 1t; nothing Of interest ran.pired during the day
bought cent leaves Of bread mouth fus ut cts each;
shaving, with wash Yourself % cts; prayer in the
evening; retired about p. all hands awakened AT
by Confcd Sergt., and told to prepare. we would
tart for City Point at coffee WAS cooked and the
last meal eaten Supposed, ut a. m; ono
with the g-oi Of fall in, took another nap
slept until n of move; started at p. n
marched hours in tch darkness mud, rain, thunder
and ;.htnng; cncanpe! after marching 10 miles
but only for rest, all were much tAtgucd. 18th
We started early; eat good meal in Petersburg Va.
treated toerabc citizens quiet. except old man who