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How I spent the 1st day
Day of May 1865
The day was fine. The birds was
singing. The balmy South wind
blew just hard enough to make all
Nature seem glad. When we procu
=red passes + headed our horses for a
viset to the Arlington House.
This was (previous to the war)
the propity of Gen. R. E. Lee
but now used for a burial place
for our fallen brave. Their is about
forty acres in this incloshier. The house
stands on a hill sourounnded with
a splendid White Oake Grove.
Hear in this Grove six thousand of
our soldiers sleeps, the sleep that knows
no waking. The graves are in strate rows
+ six feet apart nicely sodded over, with
splendid gravel walk at the head + foot
of the graves. Each grave has a headbord
painted white + easley resembling marbal.
On theas bords is inscribed (in letters of
black) The name Company Regiment
+ date of death. Some of the incriptions
that struck me very focebly was as
follows. Unknown Soldier. It is impossib
=le fer me to describe my feelings as I
gased on thos cold words Unknown Soldier.
After spending two hours amoung
the graves reading the incriptions, etc.
we entered the house which is opened to all
that choose to enter. The house is of very
antient moddle + reminds one of the
wood cuts we have seen of mentions
in old Countries. Their is nothing
of importance to be seen incide. What
struck me most was a sidbord that
once belonged to Geo. Washington.
The furniture that remains is very
old but costly. In the hall hangs
a few paintings as when Lee gave
his whol soul + body to the arch
tratior Jeff. Davis. Thank God
they are now in our hands + will
soon pull hemp without a
foot hold. But the most lovely
seen I ever saw is the vew from
the verandah of the house. As you
stand on the verandah looking twords
Washington, the first that greets the
eys is the calm + placid waters of
the Patomick. Next coms the Pattent
Office + White House with its pillars
draped in mourning. While in the
distance looms up our National Capitol
looking so noble, so solled + grand,
With its doom surmounted with
the Godess of Liberty towring above
+ almost seeming to peairce the clouds.
We stood spell bound gasing on
the seen before us. But our time
was limeted + remounting our
horses rod back to camp very much
delighted with our viset to the
Arlington House
Wm. H. Young
Company C. 3rd Mass Cavalry
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A fellow member of my reenacting group has a friend who works in
the Gettysburg Archives and he sent him this copy of a letter written by
A.S. Van de Graaff, a major in the 5th Alabama Battalion, Co. A. I thought
that it would make interesting reading...
Camp near Hagerstown Md
July 8th 1863
My dear Wife:
I have not been able to send a letter to you since we
crossed the River on the 23rd and I know that you must be very
uneasy about me. I am well and unwounded.
We marched to Gettysburg, Pa. where we fought on the 1st
2nd & 3rd of July. On the first two days our armies were triumphant;
on the last we were badly repulsed in the Centre and the 3rd Corps
badly cut up. I was relieved from duty as Pro. Marshall and went into
battle. On the 1st my Battalion was deployed as Skirmishers and lost
only 7 men wounded although we drove the Cavalry Pickets & Skirmishers
of the Enemy over three miles; during the battle a shell exploded at
my feet covering me with dirt and filling my eyes. Our Brigade led the
attack, drove the Enemy but being unsupported was forced to fall back.
On the 3rd we were in the front line and charged the enemy thru' an
open field about a mile. Some of the Brigade again reached the top of
the Hill and drove the enemy; but again the supporting lines broke and
we were drawn back with great loss. The whole corps was routed, and we
lost many prisoners. My loss in this battle was 43 out of 98 men.
Some were prisoners & unhurt. In my old company Tom Barnes was
wounded slightly in leg, C.E. Denison taken prisoner, or rather missing.
I think he is badly wounded or killed. J.D. Tuerman was shot in the
shoulder severely. The Battalion fought well in both battles. I got
within 50 yards of the breastworks when our line gave way and being
completely exhausted lay down in a lane for 15 or 20 minutes, under
a very heavy fire. I then ran out, and succeeded in getting back to
our line unhurt, although overheated and broken down. The next evening
we fell back and have retreated to this place. We sent our wounded back
but they were all nearly captured by the enemy. Our entire loss must
be very heavy. Two wagons from each Reg't was sent back loaded with
wounded, and that was attacked and captured by the Cavarly of Enemy.
We lost nearly four hundred Wagons. I think we will recross the River
as soon as it becomes fordable. We have not heard a word from home,
nor indeed any where since we have been over the River. Our army was
boyant and full of life and the repulse wholly unexpected by men &
officers. My health has not been good and I am worn out with the
exposure and hardships of the last week. I have not been able to
change my clothing for ten days, and don't know where we will meet the
wagon again. I will write to you every opportunity I meet with, but
have little hope of hearing from you soon.
[? 1 or 2 words] love to all & believe me as ever
your affectionage husband
A.S. Van de Graaff
The Alabama Slammer
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