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+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
+: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.
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@@ Line 148: / Line 239: @@
-//A war of the people : Vermont Civil War letters//, 1999
+//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.
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Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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