Camp Pierpont, Va., Oct. 26, 1861
Dear Father:-
Yours dated the 16th has been received and now I hasten to reply. As yet the Reserve Corps has not seen any engagement, but it came quite near being in that fight at Leesburg, of which you have heard ere this. If it had been there, I think the scale would have gone the other way. The day before the fight there our Division was within eight or ten miles of Leesburg but were ordered back by Genl. McClellan.[1]
We met with a severe loss there and among the killed, Col. [Edward] Baker, former Senator. Poor man! He threw his life away unnecessarily as there was no need of his being in the front of the battle. The troops that crossed the river there have all gone back as there is no reason why they should hold the other side.
It is not known where we are to winter but it is rumored that barracks are being built in Pennsylvania for the Reserve Corps. The campongs [campaign] cannot last a great while longer for even here we have had some uncomfortably cold nights. Night before last there was a heavy frost, the second I have seen. We have not received any more clothing since we left Pennsylvania except overcoats and shoes. These cold nights a single blanket and lying on the ground is not sufficient to keep a man warm. I have two blankets with which and my gun coat and overcoat I have always been comfortable with the exception of a night or two. Since I have been in the Adjt. Genl’s Dept. I have had my baggage transported for me, so I can have all I want.
Col. McCalmont is gaining the confidence of all—his superior officers acknowledge his ability and skill to command. Our Brigade is the Reserve of the Division, so if we come into a fight we will be last in.
I had a letter from Miles last night—nothing of importance.
I see Sylvanus every day or so. He seems to be enjoying himself.
All the Rocklanders are well except Andy Davis—he got kicked by a horse. The Dr. thinks perhaps the thigh-bone is broken or cracked. He is confined to his quarters.
I shall look for a letter from Bing in next mail. His letters are quite interesting to me as he gives me all the little news.
The length of my last letter will compensate for the brevity of this one. I am, dear parents,
Yours affectionately, James
Next posting: November 1, 2011
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335
[1] The Battle of Leesburg is also known as the Battle of Ball’s Bluff. On October 20, 1861, Union observers thought they spied an unguarded Confederate camp across the Potomac at this location. The camp proved non-existent, but the absence of Confederate forces encouraged Union General Charles P. Stone to send more troops across the river. The ferrying process was slow. The Confederates were able quickly to move their forces to the location and chose the better positions. About 1700 men were involved on each side, but after the death of Union Colonel Edward D. Baker, the Union resistance collapsed. The Confederates lost some 150 men, the Union about 900 (killed, wounded, drowned, or missing). Though Stone and McClellan placed blame on Baker, the former senator from Oregon and friend of President Abraham Lincoln, a later Congressional investigation revealed that miscommunications and many misjudgments by several Union officers were responsible for the rout. Chadwick was fortunate not to have been present.