Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-27
Letter from a Wounded Soldier.
CARVER u. S. GEN. HOSPITAL, !
Waeb;ngton Nav 70. 1864.

]
from tie noisy tumult of battle-your
own lucky boy lucky that my wound is
no worse-lucky that ! have two good
hands and arms, and two good legs-lucky
in finding friends here--lucky in every
thing. Yes, Mason came to see me as
soon as ! came here and kindly offers to
do anything for me, what blessing -
A person Just in my situation knows how
to value a friend. Mason said he should
write home last night; suppose he told
you about me, but there are some little
things you will like to here that he did
not tell you Of My wound is near my
left eye and little back Of it; the ball
passed through into my mouth and l spit
it out into my hand now don't you think
| am pretty smart to catch rebel bullets
right in my mouth?
One week ago to-day we had halted
upon the march ard were building brest-
works in front of us, when the order
came for the Vermont brigade to move
forward; we came into forest Of trees
from the bigness Of your finger up 10 a
stovepipe, and about ne thick as they
could stand. Just imagine what place
for a fight; we couldn't see five rods be-
fore US; the enemy we're nicely fixed in
their rife pits waiting for US 10 come on;
we went most up to them when they
opened on US and then commenced fight
of musketry such as is seldom seen.-
Capt. Bartlett was the first man hit in
Co. B, who fell dead to all appearances
within five rods Of their pits, doing his
whole duty. The first volley they fired,
tore my hat rim off close to the right side
of my head, in a few moments another
cut the strap that bound nv blanket to
the Top of my knapsack and let it fall,
the next time they done some better
shooting and bit me where | have told
you; we fred lying fla upon the ground.
Edward and ! laid by The side OF each
other for long time we were in the
front rank, and there were many behind
US, and felt afraid they would bit US, and
told Ed that was going to change posi-
ion, but he thought he would stay; so |
moved TO the extreme left of the compa-
~, laid down and loaded and fred as
asst as possible. ] had fired twentys
me rounds and was loading again when :
hat ball came along and asked me TO
top. II didn't quite knock me over
lust before | was bit Sergt. Flood Of our
60. fell dad by my side. | immediate
y started for the rear; Eddie came TO
ne and poured some water on my wound
hat had already covered my clothes with
blood TO my feet.
| moved on alone through three lines
If battle and tainted, some one came
along and helped me to the hospital You
can Judge something how felt in leav-
ing brother Edward under such fire as
that was, and how he passed through
that day and the next (for he waa I'M
Just about as hard the day after) with
out being hit seems a miracle, since then.
have not heard from him, he is a very.
cool boy in a fight, loads and fires bis gun.
as deliberate as he would eat meal OF
vicluals. They can kill the Vermont
boys, bat they can't make them run =
There is not half OF our brigade left, our
division General is wounded, and worse
than all Gen. Sedgwck is dead. Such
fighting was never known before. think
Grant will fix them before he is through +;
] never saw man go into it like him
before, the fighting has most all been
done by infantry, they can't work artil-
lery. We came from Fredericksburg
Tuesday and left some fifteen thousand
there wounded in all forms imaginable.
IF any one wishes to behold the worst
sight that man can look upon, let him 20
to Fredericksburg.
suppose have got a pretty rough
mouth; the ball tore it up bad coming
through. | haven't eaten a mouthful
since | was wounded and cannot for some
time TO come, for can neither chew nor
swallow; but can take nourishment in
the shape Of beef tea and coffee, so on
the whole / consider myself quite for
tunate Mrs. Baxter was in 10 see us
yesterday and said if we wanted anything
to write to Mr.. Baxter, and he would
help us. David Cobb Of my company
e with me, fellow that ] think very
much Of, he is wounded in the arm and
hand, has Just gone to the slaughter
house to have one Of his fingers OIL.
Have no fears about me for / shall
have GOOD care and ] am feeling good
too for do believe that we are going
TO ruin that rebel army this time.
Locus S. NYE.