USA > New York > Albany County > Albany > The heroes of Albany. A memorial of the patriot-martyrs of the city and county of Albany, who sacrificed their lives during the late war in defense of our nation 1861-1865 > Part 24
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That he deeply felt his absence from home and his exposure to temptations; that his army life was a duty he conscientiously endured, and not a pleasure ministering to a roving and excitable temperament, his letters fully proved. Very few young men had such strong home attachments. Very few enjoyed more intensely
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the comforts, refinements and literary advantages of city life than he did, and yet in all those scores of letters, not one expression of regret is found; and when his privations and sufferings were mentioned, it was always with some modification, and gratitude for what blessings he had.
Hle was a very interesting and voluminous correspondent, and his letters were the delight of the home circle. Always happy, 100. in the reception of letters from home, he seemed anxious to do all he could to make up for his absenec from those who loved him so well, by giving them the most of the time he could com- mand. A few of his letters will perhaps be interesting to the reader. They will, better than any words of ours, reveal his true character; his intelligence, his affectionate love for his friends, and warm devotion to his mother.
He participated in the skirmishes of James river April 23, 1862, and of Bottom's Bridge, Va., May 20th, and in the battle of Williamsburg, May 5th, an account of which he gives in the following letter :
FOUR MILES FROM WEST POINT, May 12, 1862.
Dear Mother-I wrote you a few lines last night, but it was so dark that I fear I did not write plain enough for you to read. I will try now to write a more detailed account of our doings. A week ago Saturday, just as we were getting ready for inspection, orders came for us to fall in and march. As we were only about half a mile from the enemy's fortifications, which were concealed from us by a narrow belt of woods, we supposed we were going to attack them, and therefore left our knapsacks behind. We halted just before we cleared the woods, and there heard that the rebels had retreated, and we were to follow them up. After leaving the woods, we entered into the enemy's works. We traveled all day long, and at night rested on the ground.
The next morning (Monday), we started again, and traveled very fast, hearing the sound of cannon all the time. About three P. M., turning a sharp angle in the road, we found ourselves in a large field where immense bodies of troops were drawn up in line of battle; and, advancing, we formed quickly into line.
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Immediately an officer rode up, and told us to load as fast as possible, the bomb-shells and shot at the same time whistling over and around us. I saw one shell burst and kill three men in the regiment right at the side of us. We were then ordered to advance on the double-quick, and support a battery of the Eighth United States Regular Artillery. This was a position of import- ance, and consequently of honor. I have been told that we were assigned this position by Gen. SUMNER (who commanded, Gen. MCCLELLAN not being present, though he came up soon after), because we were so cool when forming and advancing into line of battle. We stood in this position the rest of the day, the shot and shell flying around us like hail; yet, very singularly, none of us were hurt. It rained hard all day, and we were wet through to the skin, cold and shivering. When we advanced, we threw off everything-such as blankets, haversacks, &c., and we had nothing at all to cover us, and nothing to eat. Just as it was growing dark, we heard that our forces had completely defeated the enemy, though our left had been terribly cut to pieces (we were on the right); that BANKS had taken Richmond, and that the rebel army was flying in every direction. Cheer upon cheer went up on that battle-field from thousands of throats. But now came the hardest time for us. Tired, wet through, hungry, and cold, we were forced to lie down, as we were, in the mud, with- out any covering, and no fires. This was the worst night I ever passed in my life, and I do fervently hope I shall never be called to go through another like it.
The next day the sun came out warm and pleasant. As we did not march until afternoon, I had an opportunity to see a part of the battle-field. What I saw I cannot attempt to describe, but never, never shall I forget it. I thought, what a horrible thing is war ! And as I saw men lying dead, torn into all imagin- able shapes by cannon and grape-shot, I thought of the homes made desolate, and the hearts that would bleed, and the many who would remember this day when they were made widows and orphans, with sorrow as long as they lived. And I thanked God most fervently that my poor life was spared, and that in His great goodness He had not permitted me even to be wounded.
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We marched on after the enemy, for the whole army was imme- diately set in motion to pursue and cut them off; but we only wont about six miles, when we encamped for the night in a most lovely spot, although it was right among the abandoned forts of the enemy.
On Wednesday we joined the division, and continued on our march until we reached Williamsburg; there all but our brigade stopped, but we continued on. Williamsburg is quite a large place, and is beautifully situated. Now it is almost entirely deserted by its inhabitants; half the houses are occupied by our troops, and over a great many the red flag floats, denoting hos- pital quarters. The rebels must have had a vast number wounded, which their hasty flight compelled them to leave behind, so they are now prisoners of war in our hands. Not only is Williams- burg full of wounded rebels, but as we pass along the road, at almost every barn, the hospital flag is hung out.
Our brigade was thrown in advance, after leaving Williams- burg, and as we were the first Union troops that had passed that way, it was necessary to be very careful. So our company was detached and placed in front, to act as an advance guard, to scour the woods, &c., which gave me a grand chance to see the coun- try just as the rebels had left it. All along the road were strewn clothing of every description, camp furniture, guns and ammuni- tion, and occasionally a gun with the wheel broken, and caisson dismounted, thus showing that the " chivalrous southerners " had fled rather precipitously.
Towards night, we halted at a farmhouse by the road. Two other regiments of infantry (besides our brigade), two batteries of artillery and a squadron of cavalry soon came up, giving us a force of between six thousand and seven thousand. We killed some cattle, built fires (which, however, we had to extinguish at dark), cooked our food and slept. We remained at this place all day Thursday. The reason for our not marching on I do not know, but I think Gen. KEIRN did not feel safe in advancing further into the enemy's country without reinforcements. Indeed, our position was one which demanded great caution, for we were far from the main army, and only seven thousand strong, while
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the enemy had been thirty thousand strong only a few hours before, and were probably near by. Besides all this, we had no provi- sions.
Friday. about noon, the remainder of our division came and joined us, when we started and marched on a few miles. Night coming on, we all turned into a field of wheat, or rather a wheat field, and halted for our night's rest.
Here we were joined by the whole grand Army of the Poto- mac, and also by Gen. MCCLELLAN, in propria persona. On Satur- day A. M., we started. The army commenced moving at four o'clock A. M., and yet we did not leave till nine o'clock, and we are about in the centre, so vast is this immense army. On the top of a high hill, I had a chance, as we halted a few moments, to look around, and on either side, as far as my eye could reach, stretched this enormous column of men. It was a magnificent sight. We traveled all day, and at night stopped about four miles from West Point, where we now are. Gen. MCCLELLAN'S head-quarters are just across the road from our encampment.
Late at night, we got some crackers, dry, tasteless flour and water, things made, as is stated on the box cover, October, 1861; and yet how good they were, better than the nicest pastry I ever tasted. Anything is good to starving men.
Sunday it was given out that we would not move, so we rested ourselves after this hard week's work. We had sugar and coffee Sunday morning, and by great management on my part, I got a few, dirty, nasty ginger cakes, such as in Albany I would not think it possible to touch.
I attended divine service in an adjoining regiment, and it was to me a rich treat. I rejoiced once more to hear the word of God read and expounded. We expected to leave here this A. M., but have, as yet, heard nothing of it.
I feel badly just now, for the mail has come in, and I have no letter from home. If you only could know how I miss your let- ters, and how happy it makes me when I get them, I am sure you would write very often, and ask the rest to do so too. And yet I know it is not your fault. There must be some mistake in the mail, for I am sure you love me too well to neglect me; but
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I do so long to hear from home; tro whole weeks since I have heard one word. Love to all, and to you as ever.
Your affectionate CHIARLIE.
On the 31st of May and the 1st of June, 1862, his regiment was engaged in the terrifie battle of Fair Oaks. In this engage- ment the regiment suffered severely, losing one-third killed and wounded. Lieut. PRUYN had been quite ill and was entirely unfit for duty, but no selfish consideration could keep him from his post. He conducted himself with such bravery and devotion, that he was mentioned in the official report of his Colonel, as " deserving special commendation for his gallantry and soldierly bearing."
The Ninety-sixth were in the celebrated " CASEY's Division," which was in the advance, and within sight of Richmond at this battle. By some strange and ungenerous misapprehension, Gen. MCCLELLAN was led to censure this division in his first dispatch, charging that it " broke unaccountably and discreditably." How unjust was this aspersion was abundantly proved, when the sub- ject was discussed on the floor of Congress. In that discussion, the Hon. Mr. VAN WYCK, of New York, " briefly recounted the movements of CASEY's Division from the 5th of May till the battle of Fair Oaks; what losses it sustained from toil and exposure; that it was halted amid the swamps of the Chickahominy, where without tents, without blankets, without food, and without mur- muring, they lay down on the banks of that deadly stream. That CASEY'S Division had but 5,000 men fit for duty, while the enemy marched from 30,000 to 40,000 men against him; that CASEY'S men held the ground for three hours without being reinforced; that every rod of the retreat was covered with the rebel dead; that our gallant men fell where the sleepers are many, with their backs on the ground, and their feet to the foe; that nearly one- third of CASEY's men were killed or wounded, a larger propor- tion than any other division had lost in a single battle during the war; that while the history of centuries is being crowded into days, hours and moments, he felt that the records of the house
MAJ. CHARLES E. PRUYN. 289
should do justice to the bravery and devotion of a gallant divi- ยท sion, that deserved so much of their country."
Mr. PRUYN's letters written immediately after this battle, agree very remarkably with these statements.
June 3, 1862.
Dear Mother-Fearing you have heard of the battle of the 31st and 1st, and perhaps have heard that the Second Brigade of CASEY'S Division was all cut up, I just write a line to tell you that although our regiment is pretty well used up, your son is alive and well; and that though the secesh bullets came round thick and fast, killing and wounding our men without number, the nearest I received to a wound, was a piece of lead through my coat, but which never touched the skin. Thank God for my safety.
Not only our regiment, but the whole brigade are cut to pieces. Since the fight, several of our men have been out, and find that the place occupied by the force opposed to us, is literally covered with their dead, thus showing that our boys done good service. I cannot write more now; this is only to relieve your anxiety. The fight was right on our camp ground, and we have lost everything. Over 4,000 of our wounded have been sent off, and not nearly all are gone yet.
In haste, but affectionately,
CHARLIE.
The following, giving a more detailed account of the battle, is one of what he called his "journal letters." These letters were carefully written up from his memorandum book, and from first to last would furnish a concise, correct and interesting his- tory of the movements of the portion of the army with which he was connected.
It is surprising that he could find time for letters like these, but they furnish one of the many proofs he gave of his desire to gratify and relieve his friends at home. His mother regarded it as a religious duty to keep him acquainted with every minutia of domestic affairs, believing it the surest way to keep alive his
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attachment to home. She was well rewarded by his carefulness and attention to her wishes, in regard to a knowledge of his daily movements.
IN THE WOODS, NEAR BOTTOM'S BRIDGE, VA., ~
TUESDAY, June 8th, 1862.
My dear Mother-Beginning at the date of my last journal letter, Tuesday, May 13th, we left Rosser's Church about seven o'clock. The day was scorching hot, and we did not reach our final stopping place until two o'clock the next A. M. Just think, nineteen hours under, part of the time, a burning sun, with a heavy knapsack on your back. And yet we only marched twelve miles. If we only could have started and marched right on, it would have been far easier; but the trouble was, with such an immense body of troops the roads became blocked up, and we could only march a few feet and then stop ten minutes or more; and so on all day, not stopping long enough for the men to sit down to rest. It was a terrible march. This place is called New Kent Court House.
Saturday, 17th .- Had dress parade to-night, and just after it was over we received orders to march. Started just at dark, and marched till after midnight, when we stopped at a place called Cross Roads. Our march was not fatiguing, as it was night and cool, but a part of the way was through the woods, and so dark we could not see where to go, and often we got into mud holes. Laid down and slept this night with the bosom of mother earth for my resting place, and the star spangled heavens for my coverlid, and, what's more, slept sound and good. If I am spared to return, I am afraid I shall have to go out into the garden to sleep, for I don't think it will be possible to lie in a bed in the house.
Sunday, 18th .- No work to-day. A splendid day, though very hot. This evening, for the first time, the regiment had the word of God read and expounded to them by our Chaplain, who joined the regiment yesterday. It did my heart good, once more to join with others in praise to the Almighty for His goodness and mercy to us.
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I have a new kind of bed, which pleases me very much. I take my blanket and tie a rope to each end. These ropes I make fast to two trees, jump in, bring the two sides of the blan- ket together, get one of the boys to throw a rubber blanket over this ball of humanity, and I am fixed for the night. Unless, peradventure, said ropes should break, which verily doth often happen, in which case the young man, even he called PRUYN, doth receive sundry bumps and bruises on head and body, which doth not add to the serenity of his temper.
Monday, 19th .- Although it rained hard this A. M., we started and marched several miles to a place called Despatch Station, on the Richmond and York River Railroad. Are now about fifteen miles from Richmond, the goal of our expectations. Slung my hammock, and laid me down to sleep.
Tuesday, 20th .- Was awakened this A. M. early, by hearing some one say that "Capt. LOT" had arrived with his sutler's wagon. I tumbled (literally tumbled) out of my hammock, and started for the wagon. You must know that we men here are like quadrupeds; we take one good shake on rising and we are dressed. I have not taken off my clothes to sleep since I came to the war. I purchased some ginger cakes at two cents a piece, a can of oysters at a dollar, a few other things in proportion, and ate a breakfast which I tell you was good. Long before my breakfast was over, Capt. Lor had sold out, and started off for another load.
Wednesday, 21st .- Yesterday, about ten o'clock, we were ordered out for a fight. Started with our cartridge boxes filled with ammunition, and went at a rapid pace about two and a half miles, when, coming into an opening in the road, saw two or three regiments in a field popping away at some invisible enemy in the woods, and from the fact that bullets would occasionally and semi-occasionally whistle around our heads, we were led to conclude that said invisible enemy was popping at us. The further to convince us that our conjectures were right, said enemy let fly a few round shot and shell, which came in close proximity to the heads of several members of the glorious Ninety-sixth, and the hum of which has a very disagreeable sound to a man,
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reminding him of what might be the consequence, if he happened to be in the spot where said shot or shell struck. Well, we staid there, doing no good, for we were not ordered further, but having the pleasure of knowing that we were a good mark for certain little pieces of lead, which the enemy were prone to send us, with their loving regards.
Finally our regiment was put back in the woods, and Co. A, with Lieut. PRUYN in command, sent up to guard a house where lived a hoary headed secessionist, who, it was supposed, would give information to the enemy of our strength, &c., unless he was watched. He was not at all glad to see me, but that was none of my business. I told him to keep cool, and placed a guard around the house, after which I requested my friend, the host, to get me some dinner, for which, however, I paid him liberally, and which pay, notwithstanding his patriotism, he was very glad to get. This sumptuous meal consisted of coffee made of corn, parched and ground, without milk; bacon, fried, and corn cakes, made of corn meal and water without any salt. At night my friend had to give me supper, and, in the A. M., breakfast.
Thursday, 22d .- About noon this day was relieved, and the regiment marched back, but not to our old camp, for since we came down here the whole army has moved further down. We were sent forward to drive in the enemy's scouts and pickets.
Fine weather in the A. M. and very hot, but in the P. M. rained furiously and hailed. I had pitched my tent in a hollow, and when the rain came I was flooded out, besides having my tent blown down. I got rather wet.
Friday 23d .- Orders to march; started and crossed the Chicka- hominy, which don't amount to anything. From all you hear about it, one is led to suppose it is quite a large river, but it turns out to be a little, insignificant stream. We traveled on this day till night, and then encamped by the roadside, just as we had marched.
Saturday 24th .- Rained hard all day. We heard heavy firing, and were shortly ordered forward to fight, but again the enemy had left before we came up, so we stopped and encamped regu-
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larly, but "no rest for the wicked." About eight o'clock at night the whole regiment was ordered out on picket, and wet, tired, hungry and cold, we were obliged to go and stand on picket all night.
Sunday 25th .- A lovely day; cleared off in the night. As I am Acting Adjutant, I staid at head-quarters last night, which is an old house that has never been finished. About noon we were relieved, and marched back to camp, where the men had their rations dealt out to them, which they were sadly in need of, poor fellows, for they had had very little the day previous. Here we staid all day and that night, and our poor boys slept well on the damp ground. It is the greatest wonder in the world to me that any of us can stand what we do; 'tis true that two-thirds of the regiment have given out and are sick in the various hospitals, but the wonder is that any man can endure what we do.
Monday 26th .- Were ordered suddenly this A. M. to fall in and march without our knapsacks-to "go forward and fight the enemy." The boys started in good spirits, and on we went for about two miles, when we found that again they had fled. With sorrowful faces we turned and came back, put on our knapsacks, and again went forward, till we came to a place called Seven Pines, where we stopped. We are now so near Richmond that it is impossible to make a long march unless we turn and go back, which we have not done yet, and I hope never will.
Tuesday 27th .- Remained in this place; heard of BANKS' being in retreat and defeated, which created a profound sensation in camp. We have made a detail of fifty men from our regiment to throw up earthworks, dig rifle pits, and cut down trees and form what is called an abattis.
Wednesday 28th .- The regiment was ordered off on picket. As Col. FAIRMAN is division officer of the day, Lieut. Col. GRAY takes command. I feel miserably sick and wretched; hope I shall not have to give in.
Thursday 29th .- A sad day for our regiment; our Major was killed. I wrote you about it the day it happened, and in the " Herald," of 4th of June, you will find an account of it. Save that paper for me. He is a great loss to us. We all loved him
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for his many excellent qualities, and he was a man of great mili- tary experience. I feel very badly to-day.
The place where we were was Fair Oaks Station. The name will be borne in history as the battle of the 31st of Fair Oaks. We were relieved near night, and marched back to camp-not our old one, but a new one, which had been laid out while we were out on picket. And now as this camp was the battle ground, I will tell you, as well as I can, how we were situated. Since leaving Yorktown, those divisions which were in the rear have been in front, consequently we have been in front. That camp was on the extreme left of our whole line of operations, and was exceedingly weak, so weak that we often used to talk about it, and wonder that our division was left so exposed. Our camp was close to our pickets, so that it might be said the whole divi- sion was on picket all the time.
The few days we were there, we were literally on guard the whole time. We sent off from each regiment one hundred men to throw up earthworks, to protect us on our front, but which were only partially finished at the time of the battle. We were called up once or twice at night by alarms. Three times the day before the battle we were out in line of battle; and every morning up at three o'clock A. M. and formed in line, so you see how we had to work.
Friday 30th-Hard at work, so hard that I could not stand it any longer; worn out; used up; it's useless to try to keep up, but I must try.
Saturday 31st-I was busy this A. M. making out the regimental reports, which must be sent in to the Brigadier General the last day of the month. I felt miserable but kept up, hoping to get some rest after that was done. Just after noon, I had stepped to the Colonel's tent, and was standing talking with him, when I heard the report of a cannon, followed by the whir of a round shot, which passed right over our heads and struck the ground about fifty paces to the rear of the tent. We looked surprised, and began to talk of "What an excellent shot it was;" " It was a beautiful line shot; " " If it had been a little lower," &c., when the second report of a cannon and a second shot came whirring
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past, but this time a little nearer. The Brigadier General, whose tent was a few paces off, was standing near at the time; said he, " this will never do, if we don't get out of this some of these boys will get hit." He ordered me to form the regiment, (I was Acting Adjutant) but, before I could do this, the pickets com- menced firing. We had had so many alarms the last few days, that we thought little of it, but still marched out and formed in line in the road. At our first position in the road, the bullets came around thick and fast, and one man was killed. From this position we were ordered across the field. But when we got part of the way there, we saw several little puff's of smoke at a little distance, and the Colonel, suspecting the enemy was there, formed us in line. The boys saw some men behind the fence, but they had a white flag, and the cry immediately was "don't shoot." But I remembered the treachery of the rascals, and shouted, " It's them, but they are trying to deceive you, take good aim and let them have it." If you could have heard the volley that followed this order of mine you would have heard something. As soon as our boys opened on them they rose up, and then we saw what an escape we had had. There were sev- eral thousand men there, and if we had gone down where we were ordered, it is not possible that one could have escaped alive. Oh! how they opened on us. It is a miracle that any of us came off alive. Our boys dropped like sheep, but still they did not flinch. They stood right up to it till the regiment which joined on to us gave way, then our boys fell back to the rifle pits. Here we only staid a short time, for we found the enemy had what is called a " raking fire " on us, which swept down the ditch in such a manner that one shot would wound or kill several. Here it was that we lost the most, so we fell back to our former position and made our last stand. Our men fought nobly, bravely; never flinched under a murderous fire. I was proud of them. The man next to me was shot down dead with the colors in his hand. The Colonel caught them and looked around for some one to take them. I sprang forward and took and held them till a ser- geant came and relieved me. The color bearer who was killed, was one that I had always taken a great interest in, for the reason
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