Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-06-03
Letter from a Sharpshooter.

and told you we were to march at twelve
o'clock, instead of marching at twelve
we left at 10 IL. We left camp very
quietly, not bugle or drum was sound
ed; we left as still as though we were
going out on drill to be back in an hour
or two. We were obliged to carry six
days rations With us-marched ak nigh
and at seven in the morning we halted
for breakfast and little rest.
But by the way, as we were marching
through bit of woods there were six
horses rushed out and came near running
over US; | was fortunate enough TO cap
ture one of them led it to Gen. Hays
be looked at it and said, 'Sharpshooter
you may ride him till morning., SO l of
with my knapsacb, got on to my horse,
placed my knapsack in front and rode
until about six 4; the horses were saddled
and hridled about this time the owners
come for them, they belonged to a New
Hampshire battery.
After breakfast we on with our goods
and went to Charlottesville, arriving
there at two o'clock. We passed over
the same ground where if you reccollect
l wrote you by moonlight one year ago,
but how different now from them Now
it is still as death, and but for the rude
marks left by shot and shell and the
breastworks, che would think that Vir-
ginia never heard the barking of the iron
dogs of war. One year ago too, we had
to speak at tie top of our voices to be
heard, for shot and shell were crashing
on every side.
We are stopping on the very place
where StCnevall Jackson received his
death wound, and if | were to describe
the woods you would hardly believe ne
the trees are cat off all nights by shot and
shell there is one close by me that is
about two feet at the butt, and up about
twenty feet, fifteen inches, and at that
hight it is cut slick off by a shot and
three solid shot put through the body
lower down. The bones of the dead lie
bleaching on the ground.
MAY 9th.
Again am seated on the grass about
eight miles from Charlottesville in pine
bush. A part of the regiment are on the
'kirmish line. The day we left Chancel-
orsville We had hard fight at place
.alled the Wilderness, the most lonely
place | ever saw, and the next two days
We fought bard and whipped them hard,
1ut we lost heavy. l stopped on the field
lntil two Of my company was wounded,
hen | went TO the hospital with them :;
ny company lost thirteen; | stayed at
he hospital and worked until Saturday
night, then we made an advance and
reached this place last evening and had a
smart little skirmish with the rebels
They advanced on our regiment in our
breastworks but got repulsed, then they
shelled US but killed only one Lieuten-
ant. By the way, our Major was taken
prisoner the first day, and our Brigade
General was killed. The boys are in
very good spirits but very tired; we have
not had drop of rain since we left
camp; the Lord is on our side this time.
The colored troops at Fredericksburg,
whipped out the 'Johnies' and they have
nearly all gone from that place, and l
think we shall push on soon, There has
been cannonading at our left all the fore
noon, think it is our cavalry, for very
heavy body went that way last night
The weather is very. warm, and the
woods are all on fire and it looks like the
,ity of destruction. Lewis is all right.
Henry is sick, | have not seen him since
asst night we left him at the hospital, /
I'm all right only tired. We take our
wounded with as, those of them that can
walk.
Wednesday morning, May II, finds
ne at the Division hospital. We left
he right of the line yesterday forenoon
'fter Smelling the rebels a while, and
when we began to leave they began to
hell US but did not hurt any one although
ONE of their shells burst in our ranks.
We went to the left of our line and went
It them, and the battle ragged until after
ark ; the cannonading and musketry
we're terrible. | stayed on the line until
came near getting killed twice, then l
'as ordered to the Division hospital to
clip care for the wounded, got here at
We o'clock, eat my supper and went on
uty, stayed on duty until eleven, then |
'ent to the man in charge, told him ] r
lust be relieved for was nearly played !
ut, he got another man and l took my 7
lbber blanket, went out, laid down and |,
emf to sleep; this morning l feel bet r
r. The weather is very hot and has q
zen for some time there was not any of b