| ARMY CORRESPONDENCE
The following letter from Lucius H. Briggs , gives a detailed account of the experiences of Company I, 15th Regiment, (from this place) since they left Harrison Landing: To the Editor of the Webster Times I have know a few spare moments, for the first time in two weeks. I am well, but somewhat exhausted from long and heavy marches and loss of sleep, having enjoyed but one whole nights rest in a fortnight. I propose giving you an account of our movements since leaving Harrisons Landing, leaving the reports of skirmishes and engagements for the daily newspaper reporters to describe. We left Harrison’s Landing at five o’clock on Thursday, August 14th, and marched the whole of three days and three nights, only stopping occasionally for a short interval of rest. Company I was detailed for the team guards, to give aid in case the baggage train should be molested by the rebels. Company G, of the first Minnesota Regiment , was ahead of the Division wagons, and our company in the rear. We started about twelve hours before the troops, and during the four days we were on the march we traveled seventy-six miles. The boys often became exhausted during the day, and would fall out of the ranks, but they always came up at night. We were foraging much of the time, and made free with whatever in the way of poultry, beef or pork, we could lay hands on. We arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 18th of August, stopped there a few days, and were ordered to report at Newport News, to our regiment, which had just arrived there. We remained there two days, then went on board a transport, for Alexandria. This was the ocean steamer “Mississippi”, and she took on board 2300 men ,nearly our whole brigade. Arrived at Alexandria, Company I was detailed to unload the boat. While we were on board our cooking was done in great style. Our meat, coffee, tea, ect. were cooked by steam. The coffee was made in kettles capable of holding one hundred gallons each; and the meat in kegs or casks. For drink we had fresh water condensed from sea water, and I assure you we were glad to go on shore at last and drink from wells and springs, for the condensed water was anything but palatable. Our quarters on board were uncomfortable, about four or five men being crowded into a space none to large to well accommodate one person. The scenery upon both banks of the Potomac is beautifully diversified, and would time permit I would give you an interesting description of what I observed during the trip. As soon as the transport was unloaded, Company I marched through the city to our Regiment, three miles distant. There we stopped overnight, and next day we all left for Chain Bridge. Here we remained but a few hours, being suddenly ordered to pack up and be off. We soon found ourselves on the road to Centreville in which direction we had heard firing all day. Next morning we reached Centreville, after a wearysome march. From the time we reached Alexandria until now we had not tasted meat, crackers being our only food. We remained at Centreville a day and a night, and next morning had orders to be ready to march again. Here we met the 21st Mass. regiment and we were sorry that we were unable to see the Webster boys in that Regiment. We left that night at six o’clock in a drenching rain, and commenced our retreat through mud and water. It was a hard night. the cause of our retreat was the fact that Stonewall Jackson was trying to get in our rear. It was conducted in good order, our brigade and division being in the rear. We had not left Fairfax, five miles from Centreville, when the rebels opened fire on us with their artillery. They fired railroad iron at us, but did us no harm. After leaving Fairfax, we were drawn up in line of battle at a fork of two roads, the 15th on the left, and Company H, Capt. Bartlett, and R.I. Sharpshooters, were detailed to go out in front and act as pickets or skirmishers. A small engagement followed, in which our Minnesota regiment sent the rebels skedaddling. We then went on without further molestation, and reached a point within about two miles of Chain Bridge at 12 o’clock, having marched fifteen miles in six hours. We left the last named locality yesterday morning, and arrived here in the afternoon, safe and sound, where we expect to remain for some time. Last night we received the intelligence that Gen. McClellan had been appointed Lieutenant Commander in Chief, and the news occasioned wild rejoicing all through our camp. The recruits sent to us from home arrived and met us at Fortress Monroe. we were heartily glad to receive them, as soldiers as well as citizens. The paroled prisoners have not reported here yet. We are glad to hear that Webster is not backward in doing her duty. She has done well, and we of the old Company here, if we live to tread the native town again , intend to merit the same plaudit from our friends at home. |