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Back to 10th Vermont Volunteers
Primary Sources for the 10th Volunteers Infantry
Letter of Charles George to his Wife
Relay House, Maryland
July 11, 1864
Darling — since I last wrote we have done some of the hardest fighting and marching on record. I can hardly believe that men can endure so much even when I see it with my own eyes. Take our 3rd Division and see what it has done!!!— When we left Petersburg they were all worn out with fatigue — marched through that awful dust, which is the worst thing man can do. It was so crowded on the boat that they got very little sleep that night — next night slept till 2 A.M. when we took the cars for Frederick city — arrived there about 11 A.M.— marched through the city — stopped long enough to eat breakfast then marched back again — had dinner then through again — took supper then at dark marched through it again and on down the turn pike about 3 miles, crossed the Monocacy down to the rail road bridge. This march was very hard it being in the night and the roads bad — besides we were out of rations. We were routed out early Saturday morning — attempted to draw rations, but had to give up. The rebs were coming — we got into line of battle and drew rations as quick as we could, then commenced fighting about 8:00 A.M. and fought like tigers, five times our number — were overpowered and forced to retreat.
We marched all night and till 4 oclock the next day, making about 40 miles in 24 hours and then after being about worn out at that! Some came on cars but the most of us were on foot. Then we took the cars for this place (Relay House). We are doing picket duty under command of Colonel Henry. Since I commenced this we were routed out (100 days men) by the long roll call. The rebels are reported close — Commencing back to Friday morning — we did not get together on the cars, but the most of us band boys got on top of them. I laid down and had a good sleep. Everywhere along the road we were greeted with cheers, waving of flags and handkerchiefs. It made my heart choke to see their respect for the flag and the veterans of the Army of the Potomac. The people in the city were very hospitable — nearly every door had a pail of water for us. I will pass over the march to Monacacy and commence there.
Herbert did not come in with the rest. While we were drawing rations Saturday morning the rebs were throwing shells among us. One man was wounded. After they took their final position we sought ours, but never found it till we got here. We scattered in 2 or 3 directions. I went to a store — saw a grist mill and got behind it — had just got there when some wounded came in — one from my Company. I helped dress their wounds, while doing so the shells came howling by close to us. When helping the boys into the ambulance several bullets struck close by — we took shelter near the canal, when a shell struck within 6 feet of us. We went for the Division Hospital, but never found it for the reason there wasn't any! We followed the rail road and under the protection of a little hill we found the ambulances and the wounded, which served for a hospital for the time being.
Herbert was not very well and I thought I would stick to him — about noon our boys made a charge and drove the rebs but it soon became evident we were outnumbered. About 3:00 P.M. I heard the rebs making a charge and as there was no shells or bullets lying in our direction I went on to the hill to watch the battle, and I saw what but few ever get a chance to see — a battle where both sides can be seen. The rebs were charging down the hill upon our men —I knew it was our Brigade. They had 3 lines of battle where we had only one. Their lines overreached ours on both ends — in fact we were assailed on 3 sides — pretty soon the wounded began to come in — the fields were dotted all over with bodies, but not so thick on our side as theirs. Our unerring rifles told heavily upon them. We drove them back once, but then they charge our left and drove it a little, but they were stubborn about retreating a few rods, which they were forced to do, but then they again took a stand and charged our center. We had to give way but slowly! On our right we had a battery, but they had 5 times as many men —finally they turned their batteries on our retreating column —and I left! We all went on the retreat. I went to the next hill and stopped to see the progress of the battle and to help the wounded along. I was helping one wounded man, whom I almost had to carry, but the rebel cavalry came in so close it meant loss of life or capture and I had to leave him. I had to run like everything as it was! I came up to the rear of the straggling column — we all took it slowly until danger of sunstroke was past. I overtook Herbert 6 or 8 mile from Monocacy and stuck with him. If I hadn’t he never would have got up. I carried his trunk and led him by the hand part of the way — he gave out about 20 miles further (about half way here). We stopped and lay down till morning. We both took a drink of whiskey. (for the first time).
I routed him out at the first appearance of daylight — we had slept nearly four hours. We felt some rested and pushed on — resting occasionally. Came up with the Division about 8:00 A.M. in camp — they had been there only about 15 minutes.
Herbert threw away his knapsack and all but his rubber blanket — I took his shirt and feetings. We made our breakfast of coffee (made with cold water and strained through a towel) and hard tacks. The column started soon after we came up. Herbert soon gave out — I helped him along — he kept falling back — finally I got him a ride behind another rider just before he staggered and fell, The rest helped him along so that he got within 6 or 7 miles of our next stop. We managed to get into Ellicot's Mills along with the rest —— I don't know quite how we did it. I am just as tough as a man can be — I guess I could have gone on to Baltimore, 10 miles further.
“Bully For The Band!” : The Civil War Letters And Diary Of Four Brothers In The 10th Vermont Infantry Band, Charles George, Herbert George, Jere George, Osman George.
William Wirt Henry to Mary Jane Henry
https://cdi.uvm.edu/manuscript/uvmcdi-93430?islandora_paged_content_page=2
The University of Vermont Libraries, Digital Collections, Identifier (local) cwvhsHenryWilliam118
Head Quarters 10th Vt
Camp at Relay House Md
July 11th, 1864
My Darling wife
Again I have passed through a severe battle and again God has spared me. I passed through unhurt this time - None of the Waterbury boys were hit. Maj. Dill died nobley and is all right. Also Lt. Thompson. For my good conduct during the fight I was detailed by Genl. Ricketts to take command of this position which is the most important one from Baltimore to Washington and was allowed to take my own Regiment and the 67 Pen. while I find about 600 troops already here all of which I have command of so you see I am commanding a Brigade and am quite a Brigadier.
In the fight I lost abouty fifty killed and wounded and some prisoners cannot tell yet how many Sergt. Peabody was mortally wounded he could not live four hours – he is the only one now I can think of that you know in our Regt. none of the officers were hit while the 14th N.J. lost most all of their officers Hurons cousin Capt Chamberlin of the 106 N.York was mortally wounded. They also lost very heavy in officers and men. I send you a morning paper with most of the particulars. The Rebs had more than three to our one and although we fought well they were to many for us and we had to fall. Will write more particulars during the day this is early in the morning and am very busy.
As ever
William
william_wirt_henry_to_mary_jane_henry
Vermont Watchman and State Journal, July 29, 1864
FROM THE TENTH REGIMENT.
RELAY HOUSE, July 12, 1864.
* * * Perhaps you will wonder how my letter came to be dated at this place. I can tell you in a few words: simply because we are here. But to begin; at daylight on last Wednesday morning, July 6th, our division orders were to be ready to move immediately, and started at once for City Point, report said to take the boat at City Point, 12 miles distant, for Harper's Ferry. It being very warm and the dust any where from three inches to half knee deep, and we going pretty fast, you can rightly imagine that it was very hard marching. We arrived at about noon and took the boats by 3 o'clock and started about 4; we sailed all night and reached Baltimore Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock, making the passage in 24 hours — Here we remained on the boat till 1 o'clock, when we landed and took the cars and start of for Frederick City at 3 A. M, Friday, which point we reached at 9 1-2 o'clock A. M. We marched and countermarched thro’ the city several times, and after stopping to get dinner started for Frederick Junction, which place could have been reached by march of only three miles, but they took us around a distance of full ten miles, and our destination was not reached until midnight of Friday. The rebels were already in the vicinity and a small fight had occurred the day before near Frederick. Saturday morning we were moved round into position and pickets were sent out, and immediately after, skimishing commenced and very soon one of our company—Geo. Poor-came in wounded. He was hit in the right arm, just below the elbow and had one bone broken. During the middle of the forenoon the rebels commenced throwing shell and soon the fighting opened in earnest. We did not get into it much before noon, but the rebels having the much the largest force, the most artillery, (we had only seven pieces) and the best position take it all in all they were too much for us. The enemy had two or three lines of battle. and we only one. There force was estimated at 20,000, while we had only 6,000. In the afternoon the fighting was severe, neither side had entrenchments and in plain sight each other, all we had to do was to load and fire as fast as possible, I never want any better mark to shoot at than I had on that day. The battle raged until about four o'clock; when it was ascertained that they had got us nearly surrounded and were about to “gobble” us all up, did we not make good our escape. We began to fall back with the rebels close on to us and they took a good many prisoners. We had a hard time of it, for it had been a very hot day, and by the constant hard fighting the boys were most “played out.” The whole division was soon scattered—some on one road and some on another, but we all went in one direction, i. e. —towards Baltimore. It was such a time as I never saw before — a regular “skedaddle.” I came down the railroad with five others of my company, and after going some 15 or 20 miles we found some hand cars which we put on the track and came some 35 to 40 miles in this way, and by traveling nearly all night succeeded in reaching Elicott's Mills, 15 miles above Baltimore,Sunday noon, 10th. At this point, what remained of our division came together, and Sunday night we came down here to the Relay House. Our division had lost heavily; a good many were killed and wounded, and a large number taken prisoners. It is hoped many of the missing will yet come in. Our regiment musters only 200 to 230 men now. B.
vermont_watchman_and_state_journal_fri_jul_29_1864.jpg
[Compare the above published version of this letter to the below letter as written]
Private Henry P. Burnham to his sister
Frederick City Md. Jul 8th 1864
Dear Sister Emma
Perhaps you will wonder how my letter came to be dated at this place, but can tell you in a few words. it is simply because we are here and that is the most I can tell you about it. But in the first place I am well and hope [these] few lines will find you all the same. I have not had a letter from home this week, and perhaps I shall not get any be-~ fore next week on account of our coming up here, but we have got to move so I must stop for now. Monday noon. I have just got round to write a little more. We are now near the RELAY HOUSE nine miles from Baltimore. But to commence where I left off the last letter, I think that I finished it Saturday the 2d. Sunday morning I went on picket and stayed three days. evrything was quiet while we were out, but Wednesday morning about daylight we had orders to be ready to move immediately and Report said we were going to Harpers Ferry but we did not hardly credit the report. but between four and five we started. when we got up to camp we found that the rest of our Div had already started for City Point to take the boat so we started after them. it was 12 miles, and it was very warm and the dust was anywhere from 3 inches to half knee deep, and you may guess that it was hard marching, besides we marched pretty fast. I do not recollect what time we got there but I think not far from noon. We got aboard the boat about three oclock and started about four. We sailed all night. (there was only our Div.) We reached Baltimore thursday afternoon at four o’clock (making a ride of 24 hours, we stayed on the boat until one oclock, then we landed and took the cars. we started for Frederick City on the cars about three oclock in the morning (friday) _ we reached there about 9 1/2 oclock we marched through the city and stopped and got dinner, and there was where I began this letter when I left off, we started and
marched out through the city and back again two or three times, and about eight oclock we started for Frederick Junction (where we were a few days one year ago) we could have gone there by going three miles but instead of that they took us around as much as ten miles. we reached the Junction about 12 oclock at night (friday) (I forgot to say that the rebs were up this way and there was a small fight near Frederick thursday) Saturday morning we moved round some and got into position and we sent out some pickets, and soon after skirmishing commenced and soon George Poor came in wounded, he was hit in the right arm just below the Elbow. it broke one bone certain dont know … whether it did both or not this was sometime middle of the forenoon, the rebs soon began throwing shell and soon the fighting began in earnest. we did not get into it much before noon, but the rebs had much the larger force, the most artillery (we had only seven pieces) and the best position, and take it all in all they were too much for us. I heard it said they had 26,000 and I dont think we had over 6,000, the rebs had three or four lines of battle and we had only one in the afternoon we had some hard fighting, neither side had any entrenchments, and we were in plain sight of each other and all we had to do was to stand up and shoot at them as fast as we could, I never want any better mark to shoot at than I had that day. I dont know as I hit any one but I done the best I could to shoot them we fought until about four oclock when we found they had got us nearly surrounded and were going to gobble us all up if we did not leave. then we began to fall back and the rebs followed us and took a good many prisoners. we had a hard time of it for it had been a very hot day and we had been having some hard fighting and the boys were most played out. the whole Div was all scattered evry where, some went one road and some another, but we all went the same way, toward Baltimore, some went on the rail road and some by the other road. It was such a time as we never saw before, it was a regular skedaddle. I came down the rail road with five others from my Co. _ we came fifteen or twenty miles on foot and then we found some hand cars and we put them on the track and came 35 oF 40 miles in that way. (there was about thirty of us together in the whole. we traveled most all night. we got down to Ellicotts mills (x5 miles from Baltimore) about noon Sunday. there was where our Div. came together. that night we came down here to the Relay House today is Tuesday, and some of the boys did not get in only today and some have not got in yet, and I presume they will not for there was a good many taken prisoners, and a good good many killed and wounded. Our Division lost pretty heavy but I dont know how many, some more of the missing ones may come in yet, I dont know how many our Regt lost. our Co had two wounded and two missing. I expect there is considerable excitement in Baltimore and Washington. it is said [they] have a force of 40,000 and are within a few miles of W. they have been within four miles of Baltimore and burned the Gov. house, I suppose the rest of our Corps have come up and some others it is thought by some that lee’s whole army is coming up this way but I hardly think he would leave Richmond when Grant is so near to it, but if he does come up here I hardly think he will make much out of it in the end. it is reported tonight that they are fighting at Washington, and take it all around it is quite a time I reckon. It seems almost like getting home to get back here again, whe: zed. the grain and hay is nearly all cut here and some of the wheat is got in. the folks are very good here when we were coming back the other day from the fight they would give us bread and anything they had. they bring pies and such things into camp here evry day, but the trouble is we have no money. I wish they would pay us off now. I got [Lauras] last letter yesterday morning, very glad to get it and to hear that you were all well.
I dont think of much more to write this time. I should like more stamps for [have let most of mine go for change, for I did not have any money. if you have not got my last letter I wish Father would send me a couple of dollars in money. it has been so long since we have been where we could get anything that now we want to get something to eat bsides hard tack, but I dont think of much more this time. the Williamstown boys what there is here are well. there is only three Badger Wise and myself, [ | is sick in the hospital at Baltimore. but I will close now, write often, much love to all from your brother Henry P. Burnham
Wednesday afternoon evry thing is quiet I wish if Father has got the money and he can spare that he would send me 2 or 3 dolls more when you get this letter. I presume he will send what I wrote for before, be- fore you get this and I should like some more, and I hope we shall get paid off some time and then I will send home some money
Henry
A war of the people:Vermont Civil War letters, Jeffrey D. Marshall, ed., 1999
Letter of Herbert George to his Wife
Relay House, Maryland
July 14th, 1864
Dear folks at home
Just a word —I am all tired out & cant seem to get rested any although we have been here doing nothing for 3 days. We went up to Frederick & fought the rebs — got whipped & had to retreat 40 miles in a hurry. Such a hard march I never had. I'll tell you all about it when I feel like it. I came near falling out & being taken prisoner. My first Bass player was taken prisoner & the other one is sick. Two others sick & I’m about sick so the Band is played out for a day or two. Our regt is pretty small now. Only about 200 muskets and guess it will fall short of that. We are now ordered to move somewhere but can't tell anything about were.
“Bully For The Band!” : The Civil War Letters And Diary Of Four Brothers In The 10th Vermont Infantry Band, Charles George, Herbert George, Jere George, Osman George.
A history of the Tenth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers
93
and did entirely cut off the Tenth Vermont, so that we were obliged to cross a ridge, under a racking fire from musket and cannon, through a piece of woods, which the same deadly missiles splintered around us, over a meadow, where the angry messengers still pursued us, and down to the railroad, along which we finally escaped. That night we marched to New Market, where we rejoined the division. Next morning the whole command moved on to Ellicott’s Mills, arriving there at two o’clock P. M. The Tenth Vermont was immediately sent to the Relay House, reaching our destination the same evening, with only sixty-nine men and a dozen officers fit for duty. But it is due to say that this reduction was caused very largely by the severity of the march from the Monocacy, and after a day’s absence many reported missing rejoined the command.
After the retreat, the division, with the exception of the Tenth Vermont, was left at Ellicott’s Mills. On the eleventh, they took cars for Baltimore. Our defeat had “set all the city in an uproar,” but the presence of veterans somewhat reassured the inhabitants, The Ninth New York was detailed for duty in the forts, and the balance of the division encamped at Mount Clare Station and at Druid Hill Park until the fourteenth. This disposition was made to guard against any attack of Johnson’s rebel cavalry, which had followed up our retreat. But he did not come nearer than Magnolia Station, on the Baltimore, Wilmington and Philadelphia Railroad, where a detachment under Harry Gilmor burned the depot and the Gunpowder Bridge near by. Here that gallant gentleman, a specimen of Southern chivalry, stopped the morning train northward, and personally superintended the robbing of the passengers and the United…
units/10th_vermont_infantry_sources.txt · Last modified: 2019/07/26 16:04 by admin