Bunker Hill, Va.,
Mar. 8, 1862.
"My
DearDaughter:
This is a little hamlet twelve miles north of
Winchester on the pike from Williamsport. My
headquarters are in a small room of a small house. I
have a bedroom adjoining, which just holds my bed.
The others, servants and all, occupy our office-room
rolled in blankets at night. We are glad of any
shelter, for the weather has been very rough, worse
than our Detroit March. Indeed, I don't know when I
have [not] been exposed to bad weather, but my health
is good and my spirits never better.
We left Hancock on March 1st and marched to
Williamsport the same day, twenty-three miles. At
this point I commenced crossing the river on a single
scow ferry-boat. It took me twenty-four hours to get
across two regiments and their trains. Consequently,
I was nearly three days in passing over my six
regiments of infantry, a company of artillery and two
companies of cavalry. My advance regiments took
possession of Martinsburg without opposition, the
Union people welcoming us and the non-Union, for the
most part, running away. It was at this point that
the Rebels last summer destroyed over fifty
locomotives of the Ohio & Baltimore Railroad, the
melancholy ruins of which still stand on the track.
On Wednesday last I left Martinsburg with my brigade
expecting to meet the enemy in force at this place,
but he had evacuated and we found nothing but a small
picket of cavalry and a few infantry. My cavalry
advance dashed into the town, a few rounds of
musketry were fired from the houses, we captured five
or six of them, and then our anticipated battle was
all over without loss to us. I happened to be in
advance with some officers and got considerable of
the fever of the rush and thus was one of the early
ones in.
Yesterday I sent out a reconnoitering party towards
Winchester which was attacked by a considerable force
in the woods. My troops drove them easily but we had
three men wounded and Capt. Wilkins' fine horse
(Prince), which you will recollect, was struck in the
shoulder and badly hurt. We killed six of the enemy
and wounded seven. They were all cavalry. These
fellows are very daring. After we drove them off
yesterday they came back at night and fired on my
pickets. They are driving all round outside of my
lines picking up soldiers on furlough and stealing
horses and other property of Union men. I hope to
trap some of them soon.
I have the advanced position now and on the extreme
right of the Army of the Potomac. My brigade has now
six regiments of infantry, six pieces of rifled
cannon and two companies of cavalry, the largest
command I have had, at least 5,000 men. On my left is
Gen. Hamilton and beyond him toward the Shenandoah
the other brigades of Gen. Banks' division. Behind
late Gen. Lander's, now Gen. Shields' division is
coming up, a part having arrived at Martinsburg. I
don't know what is ahead, but I think we shall drive
them forward without much trouble.
I write you hurriedly. My little office is crowded
with all sorts of men for all sorts of business. I am
now really "monarch of all I survey," and
all the people about, as well as my own troops, think
I should supply everything and do everything.
Love to all.... Ever
Your Affectionate Father"