July 4, 1863. A most welcome message

Freedom and Unity

"Camp near Gettysburg - July

"My ever dear Lettie:

"This is probably the most welcome message that you ever received from me. I have time to write but few words. This is the first opportunity I have had. I have been engaged nearly all the time for the past few days in one of the worst battles this continent ever knew. We are all well except Floyd,* who went to the hospital this morn. None of us were hurt in battle but Floyd is all tired out, but think he will be all right when he gets rested. 2 out of my company were killed and 7 wounded. A spent-ball struck me, knocking me down but I got right up again madder than ever.

 E. P. Davis of Felchville was killed. 

Ed Davis of Felchville (Co. H) was shot through the head, dead ~ Joseph Spafford

O such scenes such scenes. I cannot write now but will if ever I get time. I am sitting on the battlefield now and there is a man here who says he will try and get this to some P.O. He is waiting, I must close. We have suffered for want of food on the long march and the fight. I haven't had a mite of clothing on me night or day except my Blouse & Pants for 3 days and nights and slept right in the mud without a tent or a sign of anything. We lived on excitement for two days certain for I didn't eat more than two or three hard tacks all the time. We won a great victory and are now following the enemy. I counted 115 dead Rebels today on a piece of ground 4 rods square. The troops have all left, except the W. Brigade. We are burying the Rebs now and shall leave as soon as we get done. Our Reg't won the admiration of all for its gallantry, having captured 3 stand of colors and lots of prisoners.

"I will write again as soon as I possibly get time. From your loving husband, Elmer" ~ E.D. Keyes, Captain Company H, Sixteenth Vt.

The above envelope was obtained by my Father, Capt. E. D. Keyes from a wounded Confederate soldier on the Battlefield of Gettysburg on the night  of July 2nd, 1863, after the second day’s battle.

My Father wrote a letter home to my Mother while on the Battlefield of Gettysburg and enclosed it in this envelope.  This was the first news she had from him after the battle.

I have the letter he wrote and sent in this envelope. My father told me that he was on picket duty the night after the second day’s battle and that the cries of the many wounded soldiers were heart-rending.

The motto on the envelope is as follows:

“Gather round your Country’s flag,

Men of the South, the hour has come;

None may falter, none may lag,

March to the sound of the fife and drum,”

Under this my Father wrote as follows;

   

“Yes, it has come with just vengeance upon the traitorous horde who would destroy their Country”

                       Mrs. Elmer D. Keyes,

Reading, Vt.

Taken from a rebel at the Battle of Gettysburg.

~ Arthur H. Keyes, Sr.

* Floyd Hawkins, Elmer's  brother in law:

July 3, Friday

This morning at 4 o’clock the pickets commenced firing at each other, just to the left of where I was, and soon the artillery commenced it was heavy, shelled us till afternoon before they showed themselves much. I lay about 1/4 mile from the batteries. About 3 o’clock I saw them forming to advance, in a few minutes the musketry began and such firing seems so was never heard before, and was kept up till dark. The 16th made two charges and captured three stands of colors. After dark we were taken back to the rear.

Saturday, July 4

Today has been very quiet. The rebels ain’t been seen today, they think they are retreating. The battlefield is completely covered with dead  and begins to smell bad. I am all used up. I hurt my hip yesterday..

Sunday, July 5.

It rained all night. The regiment was ordered to move this afternoon so I had to come to the hospital about 5 miles from the battlefield.

Monday, July 6 .

There is between 4 & 5 thousand wounded here. . .

. . .

Friday, July 10

[] has cleaned out the wounded, but about 20. Some were so bad they couldn’t be moved. I shall stay a few days . . . I am living pretty high here the inhabitants fetch me everything one could wish for most . Thousands are coming here to see the battle ground. I have seen all I want of it.

~  Diary of Floyd Hawkins, Sergeant, Company H, Sixteenth Vt

July, Wednesday 1.

started at 10 oclock & marched to Gettysburg & camped for the night. is rainy with showers David goes on guard. heavy firing

 

Thursday 2

We march out under a hill & were under heavy fire all this afternoon. The 1[3]^th charged on battery & took 8 pieces.

                                                                  

July, Friday 3, 1863

is very hot day was under heavy firing all day. We charged on the rebs and took two flags David is wounded in the leg.

 

Saturday 4

is cloudy wet and muddy. we moved over the hill & camped in an orchard by a barn. is a very rainy night.

 

Sunday 5.

is cloudy all day. we moved in the morning over beyond the rifle pits and staid all day. the men were burying the dead

~ Diary of William Martin Ballou. private, Company F, Sixteenth Vt

Camp on the Battlefield / 

July 4th 63 / 

Near Gettysburg Pennsylvania 

My Dear Sister I will write a few lines + let you know that I am alive + well. We have fought the hardest battle of the war. The 13th, 4th,16th have been in the engagement for two days our loss is heavy. Henry White and Bart White have lost a leg each Merley Walker was hit in the head with a piece of shell also William Rogers in the arm[.] Wm. Geryell killed[.] A. S. Thompson wounded in the leg with ball this is as far as I know. I came off the field the first day with the Headquarters team. There is no fighting this morning as yet I think Lee is on the retreat he has got all he wants. Our regiment captured three stands of colors from the rebs + a good many prisoners[.] our boys fought bravely we have lost a good many out of our three Reg'mt. Oren Rice is wounded badly[.] I must close now and help take care of the wounded you never saw such sights in your life men without legs and arms. I have not had a letter from you for two weeks[.] Gen Stannard is wounded in leg but did not leave the field Goodbye... From Hiram" 

letter of Hiram Spafford (1841-1912), a corpsman or Doctor's assistant 

After the battle, the regiment followed in pursuit of Lee's retreating army until Lee crossed the Potomac into Virginia, when it was ordered home, its term of enlistment having expired. The regiment arrived in New York during the draft riots and remained there until order was restored. It was finally mustered out at Brattleboro, Aug. 10, 1863. The total enrolment of the 16th was 968, of whom 735 began the 7-day march to Gettysburg and 661 arrived in the field. 24 were killed in action or mortally wounded; 48 died of disease and 1 died in prison - total deaths, 73. Eighty men were wounded, 4 were captured and 2 deserted.

The Brigadier General commanding, in view of the gallantry and efficiency of the 13th, 14th and 16th Vermont Regiments, displayed at the battle of Gettysburg, directs that the flags of each of the regiments be inscribed "Gettysburg;" that the people of the State may be reminded at the sight of these flags of the men who bore and honored them in the hour of national danger and triumph , and that every soldier may justly be proud of his devotion to country, and credit done to the State....

But while the entire command may well be proud of its laurels, they will not forget to remember the fallen dead. Let their names be embalmed in the hearts of their comrades! Let their memory be green as the sod that covers them! Let their virtues and example be a watchword in coming time! Let the tear of sympathy alleviate the sorrow of relatives and friends!

~Brig. Gen. Geo. J. Stannard,  General Order No. 10,  July 15,1863.

"We are once more in our native State, whose green hills and pleasant valleys we left to fight in this war for right and freedom. But not all have returned. Those whose lives were consecrated on the bloody field of Gettysburg, who fell nobly fighting for their country, as well as others who died in camp and on the march, are absent but not forgotten.

"All honors to the defenders of our country, and when the cause of this Rebellion -- slavery -- shall have been ended, and in its stead is heard the voice of FREEDOM, then shall we be a happy and prosperous people." ~ John C. Williams, Corporal, Co. B, 14th Regiment, Life in Camp 167 (1864).

Thursday, June 25, 1863. "Dont worry about me but think me all right and be happy."

On the 25th  the pickets on duty were called in. Colonel Veazey called his officer and non-commissioned officers together and assured them that they might soon expect to meet the enemy in battle, and gave them good advice and instructions. At 3 o'clock of that day, the regiment started on its march, joining the great tide of the Army of the Potomac, which was moving northward to intercept the enemy in its advance on Washington, Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia. ~Russell and Emery, 16th Vermont Infantry Regimental History

"Union Mills June 25th 1863

"Dear Lettie

"We are all packed and just on another start and have just time to write a word. The last I wrote you a note we were just on a start to guard a Ford on Cedar Run Mill. We just as I said started until last night when we had orders to withdraw our picket and report to this place at once which we did arriving about half past one o'clock this morning. I traveled some 20 miles yesterday and last night and feel first rate today better fitted for another march than so I had lazed in camp until now. 

"It is now most noon and I have working just as hard as I can jump every since morning getting ready. Have given up all my stuff except a shirt pair stockings blanket and a few other things.

"We have been transferred to the Army of Potomac 1st Corps under command of Genl. Reynolds. The whole brigade goes and we expect a lively campaign but it will be short less than a month. It is expected we march to Leesburg at once. We are only waiting for 12th & 13th to come up from the Shoals.

"I shall write often as I can but you must not expect many when on such marches. I feel first rate had as well go there as any where for a short time. I dont think there is much doubt but what we shall have fun soon. 

"Geo has got better and is going to Alexandria with some Express boxes today and follow us tomorrow or next day. Read your kind letter of the 18th inst. this morning when I arrived in camp which I read with much pleasure before retiring. I have no time to notice its contents.

"Dont worry about me but think me all right and be happy. Be at home soon now if nothing happens. I shall think of you every minute and love you always. Let me hug and kiss you again and again as I bid you good bye my darling one.

"Affectionately Elmer" ~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment, Letter of June 25, 1863

"Union Mills, Virginia, June 25, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"We are packing up our things, preparing to move by noon. We have been transferred to the first corps even to the 12th. The other regiments are ordered to report here this morning though their have none of them arrived here yet. Last night at half past nine about half of the regiment was down on the Occoquan River eight miles from here, and by 12:30 we had got into camp, good for another day, though I think that my feet will get a drink of whiskey before we start, as I find that it keeps the feet from chafing and getting sore as they sometimes do.

"We have lightened our packs all they will let us but would like to send off our dress coats, but they won't let us. Mine is good yet, worth at least five dollars, and I don't want to throw it away, so I see no way but to carry it. I am going to put in $10 and run the risk of its going through. I do not think we will go further than Centerville today, and would not be surprised if we did not start before tomorrow. 

"I am glad we came from the Occoquan last night rather than wait till this morning. We went out there day before yesterday, caught three Reb cavalrymen and three horses. One of the men was a Lieutenant and one a Sergeant and they had come home to visit their friends and got nabbed. They were smart, intelligent men... I suppose we are going up toward Leesburg, but do not know." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter from Union Mills, June 25, 1863

"Camp near Union Mills, VA June 25th, 1863

"My Dear Wife,


"Since I last wrote I have recovered my usual health. Tuesday I took half of the regiment and marched 7 miles to Spriggs Ford on the Occoquan and did picket duty capturing three prisoners of the 15th Virginia Cavalry. Last night at 7 o’clock I received orders to call in my pickets and return to Union Mills. I did so arriving here about 1 a.m., this morning. Today the whole brigade started with 10 days rations towards the Potomac in the direction of Leesburgh, to join Reynold’s Corps. It is likely that we shall see active service soon.

'There is nothing else of special interest. My letters for the present must be brief. Love to all - Your loving husband - Charles." "~ Lt. Col.Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters June 15, 1863. VHS.

"Thurs. June 25, 1863. Marched to Coppels Mills this P.M." ~ From the Diary of Wheelock G. Veazey, Colonel, 16th Vermont Regiment.(VHS)

Sunday, May 31, 1863. There is just excitement enough to keep us feeling good.

"The General's wife came to-day on the evening train. She is one of the boys, now I tell ye!" ~ Diary of Oliver A. Browne, Co. K, 15th Regiment

E. D. Keyes,
Captain Co. H
Sixteenth Vermont

"Camp near Bristow Station Va.
"May 31st

"Dear Father:

Thinking that you might be anxious to hear a word from me I now seat myself to pen a few lines for you perusal. I am in the best of health and enjoying life finely. You see since I wrote you last we have changed our camp to this place distance about 10 miles from Union Mills and about 20 from the Rappahannock. 

"Two Companies are at Manassas Junct. 3 at this place and 3 at Catletts Station 6 miles beyond here all on the Alexandria & Orange R.R. Our business is to guard the road from guerrillas &c which are very plenty here- nearly all the citizens that remain are secessionist of the deepest dye. They work in their fields in the day time as honest as you please and nights the cut up all the deviltry they can with the Union boys. We boys all of us ache with vengeance & revenge and would like very much to clear them out and burn their buildings but this the Government prohibits. 

"Yesterday forenoon a train of 12 cars loaded with forage went up and when about a mile and a half from Catletts Station a citizen was noticed standing directly upon the track and he stood there until the engine got near when he jumped up taking the rails from the track with him thus running the engine off when they (the Rebs) commenced shelling the engine & train from a musket battery in the woods. They fired 5 or 6 shots and then put for the train which they fired, took what they could and skedaddled pretty lively you better guess. The whole train was burned with the exception of one car. There was a guard on the train but too small to do any good only 15 in number.

"Our Companies fell in pretty quick when we heard the firing but we were too far off to do any good. The Vt. Cavalry and some Michigan Cavalry was about 5 miles from there and immediately came and followed. Have not heard the final result yet --heard that they overtook them captured their guns killed about 20 and took as many men prisoners. Our loss was less. 

"This morning about half past three a ball went whizzing directly over our camp and the way we tumbled out of our bunks into line was a caution I tell you. We saw nothing, all was quiet then some think it came from the picket lines. We all enjoy this life first rate as there is just excitement enough to keep us feeling good. We may stay here a month and not see a Reb and we may be attacked within an hour.

"Our Co goes out on a scouting trip most every day where we get milk Butter Eggs and lots of stuff which is a rarity to us soldiers. We have been here almost a week and the weather has been beautiful, neither too hot nor too cold, just right. I suppose seven weeks more will see us home. We may start in six. Many have thought we should return in June but I guess the idea is given up now. I hope we shall stay until July, for we are having the pleasantest part of our campaign now. It is very dry now what was mud knee deep two months ago is now hard as stone almost. 

"I take it you are well at home as I hear nothing to the contrary. Suppose you are very busy now planting are you not. I want to see you all ever so much but I shall soon be there time passes very rapidly here the shortest 8 months I ever knew. If I live to get home I believe I shall try it again. I certainly would if it was not for Lorette. She doesn't want I should come again. I think those that stay at home and think of it have the worst of it. 

"Give my love to Mother (how odd the name) and tell her I want to see her ever & ever so much and some of her barley cakes too. Tell her Capt. Atchinson has been here. I got acquainted with him, stayed with me one night like to talked me to death. He seemed to know everybody and everybody's business. I liked him well enough. 

"Wallace is well. We boys took an old hand car and went way up the R.R. and tore down an old house and made us summer houses nice for soldiers or kings. I must close. 

"Good Bye. Elmer" ~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment, Letter of May 31, 1863


"Sunday morning, May 31, 1863: Yesterday the Rebs attacked and burned a train two or three miles below us. They planted a gun on a knoll a little way from the road and when the train came along they poured the shells into them disabling the engine and burning the cars - 10 or 12 in number. There was no one killed, but a few hurt by jumping off the train. The guards are like sheep. They say they were from the 15th. 

"Our Cavalry took after the Rebs, caught them, captured two guns, took some 20 prisoners, and killed some 20 more as near as we can learn. A train has just gone up to repair the road, taking with them at least half the regiment as guards, -- always lock the stable after the horse is stolen, you know. The whole value of the train that was burned is estimated at $50,000. Whether Mosely's gang is chastised enough to pay the expense remains to be seen. Mosely is smart on his raid business but lately he has been getting some hard knocks from the 1st Vt., 1st Va. and 5th NY Cavalry. 

"Just before we left Union Mills we saw two of his men who assisted in capturing West and Ashley, themselves prisoners in the guard house. 

"By the way I saw a piece in the Journal which would lead one to think that the 12th had had a part in the late cavalry fight at Warrenton Junction. Such was not the case. The only men of the 12th that saw the Rebs that day were two or three whom they caught away from camp, and but for whom Mosely would have run slap against the 12th and most probably got cut up some. ... I must close and leave the rest until the next time. H. G. Day"   ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of May 30, 1863

Sunday, May 17, 1863. "We are where we was when I wrote you last and doing the same duty only more of it."

E. D. Keyes,
Captain Co. H.
16th Regt.

"Union Mills Va. May 17

"Dear Father: "It has been quite a long time since I wrote you last and an awful long time since you wrote me. You see by the heading that we are where we was when I wrote you last and doing the same duty only more of it. The 15th Regt. which was near us then has moved out to the Rappahannock and we have to do the duty they did and ours too making a picket line of some 7 or 8 miles for us to keep guarded and this too with only about 2/3 of our men. The rest are guarding the Rail Road that runs out to the Rappahannock. The men are on the picket line most all the time yet they are quite healthy never any more so are anxious to get away from this monotonous life and have more active service.

"I am well and tough as ever though I am not near so fat as I was. This extreme hot weather is taking it off and I am glad of it. I feel better. I was so fat often that I could not move without grunting hardly. 

"Our time of service expires in about 2 months and I am real anxious to get home for I want to see you all so much but I think I shall come again and seem as though I should now but I know it would seem lonesome after being home a while and this life and excitement of Camp life would I fear bring me out here again. I feel anxious to have the officers of my Co. settle up to know whether I am coming out little end of the horn or not. You know the whole property of the Co. is in my charge and if there is any unnecessary loss I am held accountable for it. 

"We have a beautiful camping ground just as neat and clean as can be and every street is all set and with pine & cedar trees for a shade it looks splendid. Perhaps you didn't know but camps are laid out with a good deal of regularity & taste. Having streets and names just as much as a city. Have 12 Streets to a Regt. Line Officers on Front St. and the Field Officers & Staff on Main St. the others I can't stop to give.

"It has been awful warm here for the last fortnight as warm as we usually have in Vt. at any season of the year. I think I have rations pretty short now days because it is so hot I cannot keep anything on hand. Butter nor fresh meat we can't keep as we used to. We have ham & eggs about 3 times a day with army bread and nothing else. Eggs are 40 cts a dozen. Butter we can get some of for the same price per pound but is so strong that we dare not attacked it. 

"But that's nothing I will have something better in a little while when I get there helping you in haying and have that new wife to cook. I remember ... her cooking the old table and the [ ] with much pleasure I assure. Give my love to her and all the good folks of S. Reading. Tell her I speak for both of those beds up stairs when I get home. We shall certainly warm them if it is as hot as it is out here.

"Suppose you are very busy now planting are you not. Wallace is well but feels a little anxious to get home I think. ...

"Yours in haste

"Elmer

"I sent to Lett a few weeks ago some money which I really wish you would take and give her a note for what she dont use herself. Possibly she has loaned it. EDK" E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment, Letter of May 17, 1863

"Camp Carusi Sunday May 17, 1863 

"Dear Mother ... Since I wrote last we have been having some excitement here. One morning three teams started for the station--two, six mule teams and one, four horse team with one to drive. Sargeants Bayer and Jillsby were with them. One of the teamsters was from this company, Frank Griffith. They had got about half way there when some Rebs that were hid in the woods sprang out and demanded them to surrender. As they were not armed and the Rebs were, they had to give up. 

"The Rebs took off the Mules from the wagon and started across the river. They made the boys ride Mules barebacked. At that, the mail carrier came along and saw what was up. He came back to camp and reported. The Col. came round to the companies and called for volunteers to go and try to get them back. 

"The men all wanted to go, so they had to detail men in order to keep any in camp. Some men went up the river to cut off their retreat. The rest of the men went where the teams were taken. I went that way after that we took the trail and followed it to the river. There we found the men that went up the river. 

"The rebs had crossed before they got there so they gave us the slip. Some were sent on after them with what cavalry we had then followed them till they found that it was not use then, came back. 

"The Rebs took the boys to Braintsville and paroled them. They got back to camp night before last, stayed one night and went on to the camp, not having but one team left. 

"We must do something and so the Col. sent men over the river to Prince Williams County with orders to take every horse they could find that would do for team horses. Our Company got five. The rest got enough to make out thirteen so our teams are replaced in part. It seems hard to take a man’s horse from him but if they will take our mules, they must look out for their horses. 

"It was Guerillas that took our men and teams and one of the sorry horses that our boys took from a plow in the field over the river, our boys that were taken say was rode by one of the men that took him, so you see just what kind of neighbors we have here." ~ James Willson, 13th Regt., pvt, Co. B. , Letter #43, May 17, 1863 (VHS)


"STEPHEN G. WEST enlisted from Barre. He did not take kindly to the life of a soldier; he found fault with everything; he was homesick and despondent and finally sickened and died May 17, 1863, at Camp Carusi."~ Ralph Orson Sturtevant, Pictorial History of the 13th Regiment Vermont Volunteers 683(1910)

Sunday April 12, 1863. Marching orders

"Union Mills 

"Sun. Apr. 12

E. D. Keyes,
Captain, Company H,
 16th Regiment

"My own Dear Lorette:

"Your letter of the 7th inst. is just received. I read it with much interest and pleasure though the death of Capt. Clark struck me with a fright almost. O it is too bad isnt it? How his dear wife will feel and what a good woman she was too. I pity her to the bottom of my heart.

"We are all well. Yesterday and day before I had kind of a Bilious turn but took lots of physic and feel much better today. It came my time to go Picket today but I got excused. 

"Didn't suppose you would dare speak to Mary what I said about drinking &c but I dont care, glad of it. You say you dont care if you dont then all right. I care for nothing for others. I didn't consider it worth noticing (for nothing was more false) but I was afraid it would get to you and you might think it so and feel bad &c.

"The weather had been beautiful for the past three days. Awful warm. I cannot write much. We rec'd marching orders about an hour ago. To start tomorrow morn with 3 days cooked rations and the wagons carry 4 more uncooked. The men are very busy making a large box to put their extra blankets in and send them to Washington for storage. I have turned over and am to turn tomorrow both of my tents, Mess Chest, Trunk and every thing but a traveling bag beside what I carry on my back. I dont know where we are going --  anything about it. The order say to take the field, but we may not go far and perhaps not at all.

"I dislike to write anything about it now for I fear that you will worry about us but you must not. Be of good cheer for only 3 months and little over before our time will expire and then we shall return to meet the loved ones at home. What an hour of rejoicing. How much I set upon meeting my good companion whom God hath given me to love. It dont seem as though it was our lot to be separated when we love so much.

"But Duty demands that I close and return to the duties of preparing for the march. I hold you in my arms and kiss you & kiss you and exclaim God Bless you my dear one: Keep and preserve not in this house separation and permit us to meet and enjoy those hours again .... In last I bid you again Good Bye.

"EDK ~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, 16th Regiment

"Union Mills, Virginia April 12, 1863

"Dear Parents,

"As this is the last opportunity that I may have for addressing you from this post, I propose to embrace the present chance. We have orders to march tomorrow morning at 9:30 and the cooks etc. have orders to take seven days' rations along with them. We have not the least idea where we are going to. Well, so be it; we bargained for travel when we bargained to come, and might as well be somewhere else as here. The Quartermaster has just said that we were to go on the cars, so it does not seem that we are going down on the Rappahannock. Some of the boys are going to send off the extra baggage, and they are getting boards from the Qrt. Master to make the boxes for that purpose.

"We have been having several days of splendid weather, and the ground is just as hard as a rock. I think I shall send home a few little things which, though they are not very valuable, will yet pay the expense of transportation.It will be rather hard for those that are on picket to start out on their travels in the morning, but still tougher things have been, and may be again....

"Poor Ezra Weston! His troubles are ended at last, and his sorrows past. You must have heard that he was dead, and it seems a great pity that it should be so, when he might just as well have been alive and gaining in health and strength, had it not been for Ass't Surgeon George Spafford, who so mercilessly forced the sick from their comfortable quarters at Fairfax Station where they might just as well have stayed until he could get a comfortable place for them, down here. That settled Ezra, but he is dead and gone now, and there is no use accusing anybody of murder. I believe the health of the rest of the Plymouth boys is as good as usual. I have been writing for the captain for a day or two, so that I have not had a very hard time. ..." ~ Hezron G. Day, pvt., Company C, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of April 2, 1863

"Camp Near Union Mills, VA 

"April 12th, 1863 

Lt. Col. Charles Cummings,
 Sixteenth Regiment

"My Dear Wife, ... I am well and growing fleshy. I weigh 167 pounds. During all the past week I have been on a court-martial at Centerville.

"It is now one o’clock p.m., and the regiments in this brigade have just received orders to be prepared to take the field tomorrow morning at 7:30 a.m. with shelter tents only, and seven days rations, 3 cooked and 4 uncooked. Accordingly I shall have to get rid of my baggage. I shall leave my bed and stove - send my trunk to Washington, and only take my blankets and leather bag. Good bye to the ordinary comforts of camp life. When we are to go I do not know. 

"The Colonel has gone to headquarters near Wolf Run Shoals to learn if possible our destination I may be able before I close this to say where we are going. In the meantime you will direct our letters to me as usual leaving off “Union Mills.”

"The weather yesterday and today is very fine indeed. The buds are starting finely. The ground is dry. Friday morning I had fresh shad for breakfast.

"There is now news of consequence further than the above. So I will only add that I never felt better in my life. I am as plethoric that last evening I had the nose bleed quite smartly, more so than ever before. I really feel fat.

"I do not as yet fully know whether I shall go with my regiment or remain to attend the court martial at Centerville, probably the former.

"Where we are going I do not learn. - We have not got paid off yet.

"Love to all - Your faithful loving husband - Chas Cummings" ~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letters  April 12, 1863. VHS. 

March 18, 1863. "The intelligence and enduring virtue of the nation is in the ranks."

"Fairfax Station, VA. March 18th, 1863

E.D. Keyes, Captain Co. H., 16th Regt.

"Mr. Editor – All is quiet at Fairfax. Colonel Stoughton has made a forward movement, - the first of the season. About only a year ago Manassas was taken by a single Yankee, and we sincerely desire that the Colonel may have equal success. Although I do not fancy his style, and presume that he fancies it still less, yet I am a Stoughton man, and of course am ready to whip the first one who says that he is glad the Colonel has been captured; for I consider him a brave and loyal man, and possessed of talents and acquirements equaled by few of his age. No doubt it is considered pure carelessness on his part, and having his headquarters so far from his command. But campaigning in Virginia has proved fatal to most aspirants to military glory upon the sacred soil. Indeed, the commanders who have not made fatal mistakes in this department have been so few, that he can console himself with the fact of belonging to a very numerous class whose names are found in the catalog of blunders which have brought upon us but a series of calamities instead of victories.

"I have heard it talked in camp, many a time during the past few weeks, that Fairfax could be surprised the General and Staff captured, and horses stolen and all be out of our reach before assistance could be rendered. Therefore we were not surprised when the thing was done. But other Generals have made their headquarters at Fairfax, when their commands were at a distance, and no doubt are equally to blame with Col. Stoughton, if any blame attaches to him. The fact is we have been exposed at many points during the past two months. When regiments are scattered over a large space, not within helping distance of each other, rebel cavalry can have it all their own way, when they come in such force as they did two months ago, and the only wonder is that they have not visited us before.

"While the Col. was spending the evening at Fairfax Station with some friends, some ten days before he was captured, a spy visited his headquarters, representing himself as a Federal Captain. The same man was recognized among the rebels at the time of the raid. They crossed our line which is some six or eight miles from the courthouse, with the countersign in some places and others it is presumed they crossed without being noticed by our pickets, who probably on so rainy a night neglected their duty, as is too often the case. On arriving at Fairfax, some of them took off our guard and posted theirs instead, while others went to the quarters of the officers and called them out, a very unmannerly act, to be sure, but they all escaped except Col. Stoughton. Col. Wyndham, commander of cavalry was away in Washington. Col. Johnson of 5th N.Y., escaped out a side window in his nightclothes and crawled under a barn, waiting until the rebels were gone, when he started in pursuit of them with cavalry which had been stationed about two miles from the courthouse, to the number of 200.

"Zimri Messenger of Springfield, Vt., who was acting as orderly at the telegraph office, was taken and placed upon a horse and made to lead five other horses, two of which were the Colonel’s. He made bad work of riding and leading, purposely I presume, and being careless withal, let go of the Colonel’s horses, one of which was found the next day and brought back to the Court House. Finally after riding a couple of miles, he got changed onto a horse which was saddled and having learned that there was a John in the company, and there being a little excitement to the rear, which took the attention of those around him, he started back towards the rear of the column when on being asked, “Who goes there?” he said ,“John,” and that he was going back to help Capt. Moseby who was the leader of the rebels. So he passed on, but soon turned away from the column and scampered for dear life, no doubt displaying horsemanship which would have surprised the rebels who lately had him in charge. During his ride with his captors, he was struck in the back by some weapon which has rendered him unable to do duty, and he is now in the hospital.

"This incident excites quite as much of laughter as indignation. The rebels are smart and they have plenty of opportunities for showing their smartness. And they will continue to play their tricks just so long as we place small forces here and there, surrounded by spies, who can communicate information beyond our lines everyday and the week. And these traitor spies are protected in rights which they do not possess. Their property has been guarded by the Second Vermont Brigade when every bloody rascal of them ought to be driven out of the country. To allow so many spies to remain in the vicinity of Washington is the extreme of folly to say the least.

"Gen. Pope struck a right lead when he ordered traitors to be sent beyond our lines, or suffer a worse fate by remaining. Why we see spies everyday. I would hang them or drive them out of this country, and make Northern Virginia as desolate as the plains of Nebraska. They you will not hear of rebel raids within twenty miles of Washington, when we have thirty thousand federal soldiers within the same distance.

"Signal lights were thrown up from Fairfax the night after the raid, also several times the week previous, by secesh; and the same thing has been done many times during the past winter. Now soldiers who have brains have no respect for such trifling as this.

"The male residents of Fairfax have been sent to the old Capital Prison at Washington. This is a step in the right direction; but like many other steps in that direction, it comes too late.

"Sometimes I have wondered that our armies have not become demoralized. But now I have greater faith in the Republic than ever. When I witness the patience, the sacrificing devotion of those in the ranks, I exult in the faith that the old flag shall yet again wave over every State of the once United. The brain of the Army is in the ranks, and I might almost say the intelligence and the enduring virtue of the nation is in the ranks, and here is the hope of Liberty. If demoralization exists at all it is among the officers, and ever has been.

There is no position which man can occupy which requires more of sterling integrity, than that of being an officer in an army which is fighting for Liberty. The officer who lacks in natural honesty soon becomes a thief, and he has plenty of opportunities for exercising his propensity, for Uncle Sam has lots of property lying around loose.

"The 14th, 15th and 16th have to-day been digging rifle pits in expectation of a visit from Stonewall.

"We have no politics in the 16th, but to carry on the war until the rebellion is put down. So we watch with some interest the movements of copperheads at home. And for everyone who would hold back one iota of strength from the Army, we lay up curses sufficient to damn a whole community. We fight against rebels upon principle, and have for them some respect, but for the men at home, who sympathize with traitors in arms, there is growing in the Army the most intense hatred. And the Army will cherish that hatred as a duty which they owe to Liberty. We are all desirous that the government should raise more men, so that every step gained cannot be lost. I think if 200,000 more men are brought into the field, that three-fourths of the able bodied men of the 2nd Vermont Brigade will re-enlist.

"I believe that the men of the 16th are well pleased with their officers, and well they may be, for we have been treated first rate. Men who are really sick, are granted all the indulgence that could be asked. The regiment is well drilled and looks clean, with but few exceptions, as when it left Brattleboro. And this I consider a high compliment to both officer and soldier."~ E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H. writing as "Duane" to the Bellows Falls Times, published March 20, 1863.

"Camp Near wolf run Shoals Va. [March 18,] 1863 

"Dear Parents ... As we have wrote Several times Since the affair at the courthouse it is unneccesary for me to mention in this letter only that it is considered a most shameful affair here & has we think cost Stoughton his commission as general which by the way he never had received the president sent in his name to the Senate to be confirmed but before they acted upon it he was taken prisoner & the president withdrew his nomination. at least that is the report...

"The typhoyed pneumonia & typhoyed fever are both raging very high. there having seven died in our regiment within the last sixty two hours one of them was from our company. his name was Roderick R. Williams. he enlisted from windsor, but I understand that his father resides in Cornish, N.H.

"I understand that there is one or two companys in the reg. that do not report but from thirty to forty for duty, & where there Should be 18 Lieutenants there is not but Seven reported for duty.

"There was an order to night calling for one man to vollenteer from each company to enlist into the Second Rhode Island Battery to Serve there until our nine months expire & if the battery is Seperated from the Brigade before that time then they will rejoin their company. The one that vollenteered from our company was Fred. P. Mather. they are to report to Col. Blunt on or before the twentyieth of this month

"Col. Blunt still remains in command of the Brigade & he is liked by all of the command." ~ Jabez H. Hammond, West Windsor, age 20, Sgt. Co. A, 12th Regt Letter No. 33

March 9, 1863. Mosby steals the General

William Henry Jackson
House where Mosby
abducted Brig Gen Stoughton

"Fairfax Station Mar 9th

"Dear Father:

"It is quite late but I take the pen to give you the particulars of the misfortune that befell us by the loss of our General. The news came to our camp this morn about 8 o'clock but no one believed or entertained the thought a moment, but it proved too true. 

"It was very dark. It appears that they surrounded the court house and then captured the guard before they knew it and then went to Col Johnstone's quarters and rapped and was asked who's there and was answered "a friend, let me in quick" upon this the Col was awakened and for some reason mistrusted trouble and left by way of a back entrance and crawled under a shed or barn with nothing but a shirt on and there concealed himself until they left. One of the Rebs passed within a few feet of him. 

"They went then to the Generals HeadQuarters where they gained an entrance in similar manner. The man at the door refused them entrance but was threatened his life. The man then lead them to an apartment away from the General when they told the waiter that was not the General's room and threatened to blow his brains out instantaneously if he did not show them the right room. The Rebels went into his room wake him up presented three or four revolvers at his head and told to surrender and go with them. 

"I cannot write all. No one was to blame but himself. None of the Brigade was within 3 miles nor have they been since the middle of Jan. 

"Not half at the Court House knew it until morning. They are in pursuit but to no avail I am afraid. The last report was that they were in sight and it was a matter of speed. Every Vermonter seems to take it as a personal indignation almost. I am well, fat as a pig. I will write again soon. This is only about this affair. Elmer" ~  E. D. Keyes, Captain, Company H, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter of March 9, 1863

For an account of the Raid and Linclon's reactoin see Mosby Spreads Fear From Fairfax to Chain Bridge

Mosby's Report of the raid is posted here.

"Camp Near Fairfax [Station],
"March 9, 1863
". . .Our Colonel has come into camp this minute and brought sad news. He says that our General and his aides was taken prisoners last night by the Rebs over to the Courthouse. He made it his quarters over there. It is three miles from our campground. The boys do not feel very bad about it for he had no business to camp so far from his brigade. We do not see him [but] once a month. He has not been to our brigade since we came to this camp. He was out to the dance the other night. Some of the boys say they wish they had got him that night. We have so many camp stories, perhaps this is one, but I am afraid it is not. Hope it is. I think we shall have some fun with them before long. Hope they will not get us as they did our General. I think they will have something to do. They will have to work smart to get our Colonel for he is on the watch for them all the while. ~ Abram Rowell, private Co. C, 16th Regiment, Letter, March 9, 1863 [sold at auction] aslo foun here

                                                      "Fairfax Station March 9th, 1863

 "Last night was an exciting time in this vicinity. It was one of the darkest, rainiest, and muddiest night that was ever felt - it could not be seen. In the night Fitz Lee’s cavalry made a raid into Fairfax Court House from the direction of Falls Church and captured Gen. Stoughton, all his horses and about a hundred men. They surrounded the house and other houses where Col. Wyndham and Col. Johnson’s Headquarters where. An officer rode up and knocked at the door of Stoughton’s house. John Martin asked “Who’s there?” The reply was “a friend who wishes to see Gen. Stoughton open the door.” John opened the door when the officer and other entered and putting a pistol to John’s head, demanded to be shown to the General’s room. John said that the General was at Fairfax Station One of the party replied that “He knew better as he had seen the General at the court house late in the afternoon.” 

"John then showed them to his room where he was a sleeping. But further threatening on the part of the rebels had him to know where to the General’s room. The officer entered wore the General’s room. The officer entered, woke the General and told him that Fitz Lee commanded the place and that he, the General, was his prisoner. So Stoughton got up, dressed and followed his captor without more ado. Col. Wyndham was in Washington, so he was not captured and Col. Johnston of the 5th New York cavalry who with his wife and children making his headquarters in the village escaped by jumping from his window in his shirt and secured himself under a barn floor not 10 feet from where a rebel guard was stationed.

"Some of the men taken belong to the 16th Vermont and 2 of them to Company B to wit Putty Baker and Barney Pratt.

"I do not learn that even a gun was fired by our guards. It was a most complete surprise and was a brilliant exploit Gen. Fitz Lee used to live close to here. He owned the ground on which our camps now on. Nearly all his cavalry was raised in this county and they knew every road, lane, path, stream and house intimately. Besides, there is good reason for believing that they have spies in at Fairfax Court House nearly every day.

"I had a narrow escape. I went up to the court house after dinner yesterday. It got to be dark before I got through supper at Spencer Jackson’s where I boarded which I was Provost Marshall and they wanted I should stay all night it was so dark and rainy. I was also urged to stay at headquarters. My horse was put up in the General’s barn. I waited until it was time for the moon to rise, say 1/2 past 9 and then got my horse and started for camp. Up to this time it had not rained and although raining, the sun had set in a totally clearly sky. I had barely mounted my horse when the rain began to fall, slowly at first. My path was across lots, through woods, brush, and mud.

"I could not see a rod before me to discuss anything. The sky was pitch black and the rain increasing. I rode on about two miles until I came to a house of a good Union man where some of our sick soldiers are quartered and as the rain was then falling in torrents and I had a stream to ford, I concluded to stay the night. This remaining, I was in camp before breakfast. It is proper to remark that at 2 o’clock it nearly cleared off, and the moon shone out. I was away from the courthouse about an hour and a half before the raid. Had I stayed all night, my horse and saddle, would have been captured and I should have been on my way to Richmond. As it is, I am here and very well.Your affectionate husband Charles.~ Lt. Col. Charles Cummings, Sixteenth Regiment, Letter  March 9, 1863. VHS.

Head Qrs, 16th Vt Infty Camp at Fairfax Station Va March 9th, 1863

Suppose you have heard that we have had our Genl stolen. He was taken Sunday night straight out of bed. It was the best raid of all, & about such as I have been expecting. There was nothing in the way of it. The Brigade is all down here 3 miles from his quarters and no troops there at all, & the picket line in places very imperfect so that it was a distinct invitation for them to come in, & they seldom refuse such. Every man feels dreadfully about it. They are afraid that we may be blamed by those that dont know how we are situated. Col. Blunt has the command again now, which of course is a little gauling to me. Yet Blunt is a very good fellow & officer. We have stormy weather about all the time. It snows to-day. . . .~Wheelock G. Veazey to Julia A. Veazey UVM