Ogden, Edward H. (fl. 1853-1865) to Sarah Ogden
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06559.150 Author/Creator: Ogden, Edward H. (fl. 1853-1865) Place Written: Greencastle, Pennslvania Type: Autograph letter Date: circa 1863 Pagination: 3 p. ; 26.5 x 21.5 cm. Order a Copy
Writes to his wife over a three day period, Sunday afternoon, Monday, and Tuesday morning.
Sunday afternoon: Writes that the men marched from Hagerstown, Maryland to their present site, "leaving there, last night about midnight, & halting on the route for an hour or two sleep." Says they left Hagerstown because the rebels retreated across the Potomac, so they were "ordered to the old Keystone once more." He describes the scene at Williamsport, Maryland, in which his regiment lay within four miles of the battle site, hearing "flashes & reports of the guns & musketry."
Monday: Writes that a soldier from his regiment was "taken with temporary insanity during last night." Says both he and Mr. Mason have been put in charge of the soldier, whose lunacy resulted from "want of sleep & over fatigue."
Tuesday morning: Writes that he brought the broken - down soldier to a quiet farmhouse, where he was put under the "kind care of the old lady Mrs. Walter." Says while at the farmhouse he finally got his first opportunity to write a letter, using a table and pen and ink. He informs his wife that while at Williamsport, Lieutenant Reynolds ordered his brigade to reinforce [General Ambrose] Burnside, whose Blue Reserves were in a skirmish with the rebels. He abruptly closes the letter, wishing his love to all. Date is not listed, but likely written in July 1863.
Sarah Perot Ogden was a Quaker from Philadelphia who took part in variety of philanthropic works such as assisting the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. She was a member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames of America, the Philadelphia Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and President of the Philadelphia Home for Incurables. Both Ogden and her husband, Edward H. Ogden, were strong supporters of the Union cause. During the Civil War Ogden volunteered in a military hospital where she made daily visits. Her husband served as a Union soldier.
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