After his victory at Second Bull Run, Lee pushed north into Maryland. At the Battle of South Mountain, Chadwick’s colleagues in the College Company fought well; one young lad from Espyville was killed, and two others died of their wounds. The Union forces pursued the rebels and Chadwick’s company participated in a skirmish that was a prologue to the Battle of Antietam near Sharpsville, Maryland. That bloody battle fought on September 17 was close to a draw but could be considered a Union victory.
Headquarters Third Brigade, P. R. C.
Near Sharpsburg, Md., Oct. 7, 1862
Dear Father:-
Your letter bearing date Oct. 1st has just come to hand. I hasten to reply. I mailed a letter to you about a week ago which I wrote near Washington when trying to get back to the Division. I succeeded in getting on the cars at Washington and came by rail to Sandy Hook, near Harper’s Ferry, from which place I walked to our present location, arriving in camp about 9:00 A. M. on Sabbath. I found the boys generally well, but many I missed—they being among the “Honored Dead”.
My company suffered very severely in the engagement at South Mountain for the number of men engaged. She had but one killed on the field, although those who were wounded were all dangerously so—one of whom died of his injuries day before yesterday.
You say you have lost all track of my company, Captain, Brigade, etc. since our return from Richmond. Everything is just as it was and has been for a year. My Division is the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps, Third Brigade, 10th Regiment, Company I, Captain Ayer.
I explained once to you how the10th Regiment, P. R. C., and the 39th Pennsylvania Volunteers mean one and the same organization. Our regiment is the39th in number raised in Pennsylvania and the 10th in number of that particular organization known as the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps, which consisted of fifteen regiments and was raised according to an act of the Pa. Legislature, dated May 1, 1861. The number “39” is scarcely ever used when referring to our regiment. The 10th P. R. C. being used.
As to your not knowing where to find our Division in the papers, I think you are only speaking comparatively, for there should not be a child in America, north or south, who has not heard of the PENNSYLVANIA RESERVES. This Division was under Hooker in the late battles in Maryland until he was wounded. Then the Division was under Reynolds as a Corps Commander,— he taking Hooker’s place,—and under Meade as the immediate Division Commander. Reynolds still has charge of the Corps, which consists of the Divisions of Ricketts, King, Doubleday and ours. McCall is not with us and has not been since he was taken prisoner. He has been nominated for Congress. Meade is still in command of our Division and I suppose will be for some time. The Col. of the 10th, James T. Kirk, is in command of the Third Brigade temporarily, as General Jackson, formerly Col. of the 9th, is absent, at home and sick.
I have been all over the battlefield of Antietam, which is but one-half mile from here. I could scarcely endure the stench of dead horses which cover the fields. It is no uncommon sight to see the dead sticking partly out of the ground and in more instances than one I saw skulls lying on top of the ground. There was not even the sign of flesh on them so entirely had decomposition taken place. Such sights have become common.
I saw Dr. Klotz yesterday. He is Captain of a company in one of the new regiments. Jeremiah Birtcil is in a regiment near at hand, but I have not seen him yet. * I saw Sam Bickle at that convalescent camp, he had been sick but was recovering.
When I got back to the Division I found several letters among which were a number from home. I have not seen the Citizen for perhaps four months. I would be glad if you would send it to me occasionally.
I expect we will move again before long. McClellan has received quite a large reinforcement of new troops. I prophesy that we will be in possession of Richmond before six weeks.
There was some talk of the Penna Reserves being sent home to their State to be recruited again, but I guess when we are sent it will be toward the rebs and in the front as usual.
I think of nothing more at present. My love to all. Kiss Mary for me.
Yours affectionately, James
Next posting: October 16, 2012
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College