The following letter was written by 22 year-old William A. DuBois who served in Co. A, 22nd Regiment New York State Militia for 100 days in the summer of 1863.
On July 1, 1863, the 37th and 22nd New York regiments marched into Carlisle to help defend the town and Carlisle Barracks. Later that evening, Confederate cavalry under Major General J.E.B. Stuart shelled the town and burned the barracks in the Skirmish of Carlisle. Both units were emergency 30-day regiments from New York assigned to the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, Department of the Susquehanna under the command of Major General William F. “Baldy” Smith. The 4th Brigade officially consisted of three New York National Guard regiments—the 11th, 22nd, and 37th. While the 22nd and 37th moved forward into Carlisle, the 11th New York State Militia remained stationed closer to the Harrisburg defenses.
William’s letter describes the movements of his regiment from Harrisburg to Carlisle and the defense of the town. It is quite similar to one I transcribed in August 2024 by James C. Cresson of Co. D, 32nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. See—1863: James Clarence Cresson to his Uncle.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Carlisle [Pennsylvania]
July 3rd 1863
Dear Mother,
Bill just received a letter from Kittie dated June 29th. From what she said I should judge you were rather worried about us. While we were at Bridgeport opposite Harrisburg, there was no danger but since we have been here, we have passed safely through some danger.
We were ordered from Bridgeport last Tuesday to be gone for two or three hours in light marching order. We had a brush with the enemy, none of us being injured—that is, of our regiment. There were four or five of the 37th injured. We were then marched nearly back to Bridgeport when the order was countermanded and after a few hours sleep, we started for Carlisle. It was a hard, forced march to Carlisle. Many of the men dropped out before we reached there and came on the next day. If you look on the map, you will find that from Harrisburg to Carlisle is a good walk for one day with very little sleep which we had along the road.
In reaching Carlisle, we had dinner which was given by the town. It was very acceptable and showed that they appreciated our aid to drive back the rebels. After our dinner, we were marched out of town about a mile to support a Pennsylvania Battery. We had not been there long when we heard cannonading and in looking found that the rebels were shelling the town. We were ordered back to Carlisle and Capt. Otis’ Company was ordered to remain in a house opposite where the rebels were firing but remained on the ground floor in case the rebels should make a charge on the house and the rest went upstairs and put their muskets through the shutters and were ready to pick off those at the guns. We did not fire as we were afraid they would find our position and shell it. 1
We did not get much sleep as we were in the qui vive all the while. Some of the 37th and citizens of the place were injured and the rest frightened to death. I felt very sorry for them. The rebels have retreated and may or may not attack us again. Gen. Smith, on receiving a flag of truce to surrender the place, sent back the answer, “Shell and be damned.” All the way to Carlisle we were received splendidly. People stood by the gate and gave us things to eat.
I will write tomorrow when I have more time. I should not be surprised if we moved tomorrow to some other place. We are all well and enjoying ourselves. I had the colic the other day but are now in good condition. Goodbye, — Wm. A. [DuBois]
1 Baldy Smith’s militia force consisted of roughly 1,000 men. When J. E. B. Stuart’s horse artillery opened fore from the eastern outskirts of town, the regiment was positioned in Carlisle’s center near the Market Square and along Main Street supporting the 1st Section of the Philadelphia Light Artillery. Because the streets proved a dangerous place to be when the shells began to drop into the town, most of the men were ordered to take shelter in the nearby brick houses while the artillery dueled.
