Henry, Josiah E. (b. 1840) to Mother
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02749.004 Author/Creator: Henry, Josiah E. (b. 1840) Place Written: White Oak Church, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 May 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 20.9 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
Many men have caught Dysentery from the bad water. States that they "lost 500 men from this brigade while across the river and the Corps lost 6000." Writes that the army was put into "the shape of a horseshoe with the heel resting on the river." It was a pleasant and sunny day, but there was enough wind to lift the smoke out of the guns so anyone could see every rebel, even if you were a mile away. Claims that the rebels must have lost four men to every Union man killed because the rebels had four lines of battle, whereas they only had one line in front. Found out by the prisoners that there were four brigades that lay flat on their faces and let the rebels charge over them. They then rose and took all of the rebels prisoners; caught 230 men, 17 officers, and one colonel. The rebel colonel said it was the first time he "ever saw men rise up out of the ground in the two days fighting." Henry's brigade took nearly 700 guns and six pieces, one a rifled cannon and the rest brass pieces. Writes that they did not give the rebels time to spike any of them. The Westford boys are alright except Haselton, who was killed. Only had one killed in Henry's company, but one man is missing. They suspect he was killed because they should have heard from him by now. Believes that a man named George can find enough work to earn big wages.
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