This letter was written by Samuel Borrowe Rees (1844-1932) who served with his older brother, Thomas M. Rees (1837-1888) in Co. A, 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters. Company A was raised in Minnesota on October 5, 1861. He was born at Sodus Point, Wayne county New York, and moved with his family first to Bersheba Springs, Tennessee in the late 1840s, and then to Leech Lake, Minnesota in 1857. His father was Charles Williamson Rees (1807-1870) and his mother was Catherine Hallett (1810-1893).
Samuel and Thomas were part of the famous Berdan’s Sharpshooters. Thomas served with the Sharpshooters until his discharge on September 22, 1864. Samuel was wounded in the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862 and was discharged on 26 November 1862.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Camp opposite Fredericksburg, Va.
Tuesday, May 18, 1862
Dear Mother,
I received three letters from home the other day, the first mail that we have had in our Brigade for three weeks. We have been on the march for the last three weeks; therefore not having a chance either to get our mail or send any. Tom has written several letters home. I did not have time as I have the cooking to do for both of us. Tom has not life enough as usual to do his share. Therefore I cannot write as often but don’t say anything to him.
We are in our old camp as you will see by the heading of my letter and I will have more time to write. The last marches we have had have been very hard—especially the last two days from Catlett’s Station to Falmouth. The sun was very hot and they put us through in a forced march, notwithstanding that three men and three mules dropped dead by the road side for the want of rest and the sun so hot that they were sun struck. And a good many are still suffering from its effects.
Notwithstanding all this, after a short rest, when the regiment was ordered to fall in to continue the march, one man who happened to be at a short distance eating a few cherries did not fall in quick enough to suit the Colonel [Henry Alberton Van Zo Post] and he tore down to where the man was and, riding his horse behind the man, made him run to the front of the regiment where he had four men with fixed bayonets to make him march at the point of the bayonet. This he laughed at.
The same day he kicked Capt. [Henry M.] Caldwell [of Co. F] in the back and ordered him to the rear of the regiment under arrest because he told a tired man to fall out of the ranks and rest. The Colonel has since offered said Captain his sword if he would let it pass. The Captain said to him he did not wish his sword but that he would have him put through to the extent of the law. Peleter is also under arrest because the Colonel took a Sharps rifle and beat his with Colts. Peleter is fighting mad because we have got that cause of so much trouble.
The Sharps rifle is a splendid gun, set lock and bronze barrel. We have just been paid off, dear mother, and I will send twenty-five dollars to you to use. I do not wish you to save any for me. I would rather you would use it and get all you want. Give my love to all and tell them I will write soon. It is getting time for dress parade and I must stop. From your affectionate son, — S. B. Rees
Spared & Shared 23 