Year: 1863

know that / am still in the land of the |
living. L ain well and enjoying myself as
we'll as could be expected after the long
marches we. have had | will give you
some account Of them, since we left York
own. We left this latter place on the
23rd Of June, and have been on the march
ever since. When we started thought
we might be going towards Richmond
That day we went miles on the other
side of Williamsburg, when We stopped
at place called the nine mile ordinary.
1t was about o o'clock at night when we
got into camp, and being very tired, we
soon had our horses fed and lost no time
in taking our nights rest. Early in the
we we're reused out for the pur-
pose Of feeding our horses. Boots and
saddles were sounded, and we. were all
ready to move in little or no time, for we
did not know what was up. Soon we got
orders 10 move and were off, feeling as
good as could be expected we marched all
day without stopping, and halted at a
place called Spruce Grove. There we
stopped for the night; the next morning
we were ready to start in good season.
Then we found out our destination, and
took our line of march for the White
House. Our scouts saw some rebel cav
airy near New Kent Court House, SO cal
led by those living around there, which
are most all negroes. One section Of our
battery was then ordered to turn to the
left and come into position, while the rest
kept to the right down to the Pamunkey
river. We were then furnished with ra-
tions, of which we were in great need.-
That night we were brought into position,
and were soon through with our horses
We then laid down to enjoy good nights
rest, we laid there until towards noon Of
the next day, when the remainder of our
battery joined US; we then started of for
the Wlitc House, which we reached in
the course of a few hours.


We laid there two days, when the army
was brought up in line of battle, which
looked very much like having general
engagement; but however, VIC marched
on to Baltimore Stores, and so on to Bal
timore Cross Roads, where the Greybacks
had just left, fires were still burning where
they had cooked their coffee. Our bat
terry was then brought into line; this was
about clock, the battery was then Or
dered on the right into little field, where
they could see some rebels in an orchard,
not far away, they were brought into po-
sition, and Immediately commenced shell.
lug the woods; they threw shells for about
two hours, when the firing ceased some
cavalry, one section of artillery, and two
regiments of infantry were ordered to ad.
vance, which was done at once.


We laid there until the next morning,
when we were ordered back to Baltimore
Store. Soon after our cavalry came in et
full speed reporting the enemy near
Matters looked rather dark, and th ought
we would sooa get into general engage
ment, they appearing very near, but ouI
pickets giving them we'll directed fire
they were soon driven back. We then
received orders to return to Yorktown
which we were glad to hear, for we were
short of rations long enough. We were
two days going back.


We remained there two days when or
ders came for us to join Meade's army


we accordingly loaded the battery on boarC
the splendid steamer Thomas Morgan,
and. in company with General Keys anc
Staff, were soon on our way towards Wash
ington. We reached the latter place thc
next night. The next day we received
orders to proceed TO Frederick City b!
road. We accordingly loaded our bat


terry on the cars in short time sool
news came that the track had been washed
away, when we commenced unloading tn


battery and prepare to go by land.


We reached Frederick City in the cours


of few days, and it is very fine place


we laid there over night, and next morn


ing joined the 9th army corps in the arm


of the Potomac. We are now statione


at Warrenton; it is fine place, but quit


deserted by the male population. Gu


corps is scattered all around here, both u


and down the rail road.


They are now filling up the old reg


ments with couscrpts. The old corps ar


in good health and spirits at the preser


time, and get plenty to cat. A few day


ago five men were shot for desertion.
is the only way to prevent it. A rune
, was aaoat in Camp yesterday that tn