The following letters were written by Robert Baird (1831-1862), the son of William Baird (1765-1863) and Nancy Harbison (1787-1855) of Pleasant Gap, Centre county, Pennsylvania. Robert enlisted in August 1861 and was mustered in as 1st Sergeant of Co. H, 49th Pennsylvania Infantry on 24 October 1861 at Camp Griffin, Virginia. At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 6′ 1″ tall, grey-eyed, sandy haired millwright. A family history informs us that for a couple of years before his enlistment Robert worked for John Todd who built and repaired grist mills, saw mills, and water wheels.
In the summer of 1862, Robert contracted typhoid fever and spent some time in a hospital. Inadvisably he returned to his regiment before he was well and when the regiment was ordered to march, he fell by the wayside unable to keep up and was taken prisoner by the Confederates. He was taken to Libby prison in Richmond where he died 26 August 1862. Family tradition has it that a Mr. William Irving bribed the guards to provide a pine coffin for Robert’s body which they smuggled out to Belle Isle in the James River for burial and then sent Robert’s personal effects home to his family. [Source: Nancy Baird McClelland]
Note: These letters were made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by John Baird.
Letter 1
Camp Curtin [Harrisburg, Pa.]
August 31, 1861
Dear Brother,
While off duty, I seat myself to drop you a few lines to let you know that I landed in camp on Thursday at 6 o’clock, just in time for dress parade. We were examined and sworn into service yesterday. The officers were selected yesterday—Linthurst Capt., Robt. McClay 1st Lieutenant, Cap Cox and they appointed me for Orderly Sergeant. It is a position that requires a good deal of duty to perform—to form that company, call the roll, attend to the sick, drill the squads, make a report every day, station the guard, etc. I get clear of standing guard.
We have the quietest company in camp. There has only been one drunk man as yet and that was the day we came in camp. We are going into Col. Irvin’s Regiment. We have good tents and get good boarding. We have two cooks in the company. I have not time to write much at present. I gave Ann a note and an order. You will please hand the order over to Mr. Todd to collect it. Give my love to all my friends. I will write to Father in a few days.
N. B. Direct to Camp Curtin, Harrisburg in care of Capt. Linthurst
— R. Baird
Letter 2
Washington D. C.
September 23, 1861
Dear Father,
I seat myself this evening to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present. We left Camp Curtin on yesterday morning to come here. We met with an accident between Cockeysville and Baltimore City. There was a train coming behind the one we were on that ran against ours and smashed up one car and killed two men and broke two more mens’ legs. There were about 1100 men on the train. It was supposed that the engineer done it on purpose for he said that he would take the cotton out of our ears before we got to Baltimore. He had one of his legs taken off. He went to jump off the train and got fast by some means. It is reported that he is dead now.
We marched through Baltimore in the night but was not molested. We then laid in the depot till daylight. I did not get to see Sam [cousin Samuel M. Baird of Baltimore[ for I could not leave the company that long. There is from 3,000 to 5,000 men comes in here every day for the last week. The Rebel army can be seen from the top of the Capitol. We can hear the cannonading from here. There was three bombs thrown within half an hour mile of the city last week. I cannot tell how many men there is in and about the city. Our regiment is camped by itself. There is three other camps within sight. There is 12,000 or 15,000 in one of the camps.
We are camped within half a mile of the Capitol. I can’t tell how long we will be here. I think we will go to Harper’s Ferry next week. They are expecting an attack at the Chain Bridge that is eight miles from here. We can hear the reports of cannon now in that direction. Perhaps they are at it now.
Well, I must close at present for we have to go out to drill. We get good boarding here and plenty of it. Give my love to all the friends. Tell them all to write to me. That more time to write than I have. At night we can’t write and in day time we have to drill. My love to all. Yours son, — Robert
Letter 3
Camp Griffin
49th Regt. P. V. Co. C
October 21, 1861
Dear Father,
I seat myself this morning to let you know how we are getting along at present. We have been here about twelve days. We have drilled more since we came to this camp than we did any place yet. We drill about eight hours every day with our knapsacks on at that. We had a trench dug on the side of a hill to retreat to in case of an attack. There is two companies out of the regiment stays there every night. The trench is two hundred feet long, 9 feet wide, and six feet deep. We have been called out three times expecting an attack but they did not come. They were in sight one day about one and a half miles distant. We got orders from headquarters last night to draw two days rations and have them cooked and to be ready to march in five minutes warning which we have all ready. Whether we will get further orders, I don’t know at present.
Our company are all out in picket except one Lieutenant, the sick, and myself. I have the sick to take care of and that clears me of going out on picket. We have eight on the sick list this morning. One of the number is in the hospital. The rest are not very bad. He is one of Sinkey’s boys from Penn’s Valley—one that I got when I was out recruiting. There is a great many men here in other regiments that I am acquainted with. One company in the Bucktail Regiment [42nd Pennsylvania] from Clearfield County I am acquainted with nearly all of them. They are encamped about one mile from here. There is about twelve regiments encamped in sight of ours and as many more within a few miles. There is five pieces of rifle cannon with our regiment.
I saw Fred Orris’s brother [Nicholas] the other day. He was well then. He is [in Co. H of] Colonel [Tilghman H.] Good‘s [47th Pennsylvania Infantry] Regiment. They are about a mile and a half from here. He came over to see us. I have only been sick two days since I left home. I have gained five pounds since I came to the service. I suppose the hard crackers and soft breads account for the gain. I have not had clothes off for four weeks—only when I change to wash them. We do our own washing when we get near any stream. We take a chunk of soap and strip off and wash our clothes. We are only allowed to take two shirts, two pair of drawers, and three pair of stockings, a blanket and overcoat and one suit of clothes and then we have them to carry when we march.
I wrote to Hannah last week. I don’t get time to write often but I have written more than I have received answers to. I must close for the present. Give my respects to all the friends. Tell them all to write. I remain your affectionate son, — R. Baird
Letter 4
Camp Griffin
49th P. V. Co. C
October 31, 1861
Dear Niece,
I received your very welcome letter last evening and was glad to hear from home once more. It was the third letter that I have received since I left home. I am still anxious to hear from home to know how Father is getting [along]. I wrote to him a short time ago and one to Hannah adn one to your father last week. Yours found me in the enjoyment of good health but we keep very busy drilling. We drill four times a day in companies and once in Battalion. There is one of the fire zouaves here driling the Captains and Sergeants in the sword exercise. We drill two hours at that every day which takes up all our time, but still I will take a little time to wrote to those that will write to me.
Our company has taken the praise both for drilling and being the cleanest. Every morning at guard mounting there is one picked out of the ranks which looks the cleanest. There has been four out of our company in succession. They get clear of any duty for three days. The companies were all inspected today by the General. Our company took the praise of the cleanest.
We have not been at any battle yet nor don’t know how soon we may but we will give them the best we can afford when we do get into one. I wish we were up there to help eat some of that Apple butter you spoke of in your letter but we get good fare living here. We have a change every day. Crackers and coffee for breakfast, coffee & crackers & meat for dinner, and the same for supper, and sleep on the ground with one blanket to put over us. It is gettin ga little cool of late but still I can sleep better now on the ground than I could on a bed. Camp life is a nice one to those that can enjoy it. When I go to bed, I put on my overcoat. I have not had my clothes off except to change for two months.
Tell Sam Sturate and Sam Showers that seeding is over and I have not heard of them coming to war yet. Give my love to Father and all the friends and receive the same yourself. From your uncle, — Bob
Letter 5
Camp Griffin
November 9, 1861
Dear Father,
I seat myself this afternoon to drop you a few lines to inform you of my welfare. It is raining this afternoon and we can’t drill which favors me with an opportunity of writing. I don’t get time every day. We have been drilling pretty hard for a couple of weeks but I have enjoyed pretty good health so far except last week I was sick a few days but have got to duty again.
The weather is getting tolerable rough. We have two blankets apiece which keeps us tolerable comfortable as yet. I don’t expect we will get any winter quarters. I suppose we will do the fighting this winter, We have not been in any battle yet and there is no telling how soon we may.
We have the best Colonel in this brigade. We have the praise of being hte cleanest camp and the quietest. I have not seen but one drunk man in the regiment yet. There was one of the New York men came in drunk yesterday and he was put in the guard house and is still there.
I wrote to William yesterday. He was talking of sending me some things and I had to stop several times while writing and forgot to mention that if he sent anything, that he should not pay the Express on them and I would be more likely to get them. He wanted to know the name of our company. We have changed it to Potts Guards.
Give my respects to John & Hannah and the Family and all the Friends. As there is no war news to write about, I will close for the present. From your son, — Robert Baird
N. B. If there is anything sent to me, direct to the 49th Regt. P. V., Col. Irwin, commander in care of Capt. R[alph] T. Maclay
— R. Baird, Georgetown D. C.
Letter 6
Camp Griffin
November 15, 1861
Dear sister,
I received your very welcome letter a few days ago. It was about four weeks coming to hand but still there was some news new to me in it. If found me enjoying good health and I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. We have had very unpleasant weather for a few days. We was out on a review yesterday. There was about four thousand men on the review. It was the prettiest sight I ever saw. They all were drilling in one body. There is another review today. It is a Division Review. There will be about ten thousand out if it comes off. It rained all night last night which makes it very disagreeable. The review which was to come off has been countermanded so we will get resting today.
There was one man died in this regiment last night—the first that died out of this regiment. The doctor reports that it was being homesick the most that was the matter with him. He was out of Capt. Green’s Company [A]. Haten [James M. Confer] I think is his name. He came from Bush Creek. There’s not very muck sickness in this regiment. There has been two of our company in the hospital for five weeks. They are both getting better. I go to see them every day. They are both able to walk around again.
We have not received any pay yet but expect to get it every day. It is three months yesterday since we came in the service & think it is time Uncle Sam was paying us some. We look for our pay whether we fight or not.
Everything goes to destruction as far as the army advances. I saw a splendid orchard cut down yesterday for wood, and there is not a fence in sight. The men won’t know their farms when they come back.
When you answer this, give me Eliza Ann Riddle’s address and I will write to her. I have not much news to write. You get the news from the army sooner than I can give it to you by letter. Give my respects to Father. I wrote to him last week. Give my respects to all the friends and write soon and give me all the news from there. You have more to write about than I have. I answered Tim’s letter a couple of weeks ago. Give me Josiah’s address. I don’t know where to write to him, I close at present by sending my respects to all your brothers, — R. Baird
N. B. Direct to Robert Baird, Washington City D. C.
Letter 7
Camp Griffin
November 25, 1861
Dear Father,
I seat myself this afternoon to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present, hoping these few lines may find you also enjoying the same great blessing. The weather is tolerable cold. It snowed last night. The ground was all white this morning but it is all gone already. We have no winter quarters yet nor I don’t expect we will get any better than we have already. We have built fireplaces in our cloth tents.
I expect there will be a forward movement before a great while. There was a Grand Review last week. Nearly all the Army of the Potomac were present. There was over one hundred thousand present. It was the splendest sight I ever saw. The President & General McClellan and his staff were present. The health of the regiment is tolerable good. There has only two died out of it yet. There is two out of our company at the hospital and four on the sick list.
We drill twice per day. To practice firing, we fire blanks cartridges. I was out on picket yesterday and last night for the first time. There was not enough Lieutenants and they promoted me to act as a Lieutenant. It was a tolerable cold [night]. We can’t have any fire on picket.
We got our pay last week. I sent $53 home. Mr. Mann was here from the Big Valley and I sent it with him to be paid to Dr. Maclay to be collected by William when called for. I wrote to William yesterday about it. There was 1400 dollars sent with him from this company. It was safer sending it in that way than the mail for I have written several letters home that never went or I never got any answer to them. I wrote to Hannah some time ago. Her letter was about six weeks coming to hand. I received one from Samuel Showers last week and answered it also.
I don’t get very much time to write for I am kept pretty busy. The labor is not hard but very tedious. Well, I must close for it is time to call the company roll. Give my respects to all the friends. — R. Baird
Letter 8
Camp Griffin
January 10, 1862
Respected brother,
I received your letter few days ago and as I had written you a day or two before, deferred answering until now. I am still in the enjoyment of good health and I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same good blessing. We have had very wet weather for a few days which makes it very disagreeable under foot. The streets are shoe mouth deep with mud. We had a small snow. It is all gone and what little frost that wasin the ground is nearly all out.
There is more sickness in our camp at present than ever was before. The French Measles has got in the camp. There is five of our company have got them at present but are all getting better. Everything is quiet in camp at present but all are practicing on firing blank cartridges. It is generally supposed there will be an advance made before long but the roads are not fit to move artillry at present.
I was trying to sell some Robes [?] but they are afraid they can’t get them along when they move. If it was not for that, I could sell any amount of them. The Captain agrees to take mine along when we move. We are not allowed to have any extra baggage—only what we get from the government.
We were mustered for pay last week. I expect we will be paid off next week. If I get any chance, I will send you some more money to keep for me. You had better collect that at Lynn & McCoy as soon as you can and if you need it you can make use of it. As for that at J. V. Thomas’s I expect can’t be collected for I have lost the Note. Perhaps he will pay you. If he don’t know that the Note is lost, I have got back to the old mess that I had picked out before we left home. We had a roasted turkey for dinner yesterday. It was sent to Lex Barger and he had went home on furlough before the box arrived. He gave me the receipt to get the box adn divide the contents among my friends so I kept the turkey and a pound cake for my share and divided the rest amongst the company. They were talking of sending me another box from home. If they send me, tell them to put in some sausage and a couple of roasted chickens and some apples. Such things taste good, especially when they come from home.
Give my respects to all the friends. I remain as ever your affectionate brother, — R. Baird
Letter 9
Headquarters 49th Pennsylvania Regiment, Co. H
Camp Griffin
February 6, 1862
Dear Father,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am in good health and I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same great blessing. We have had very unpleasant weather for the last six weeks. It rains or snows nearly every day. It is raining now. The roads are very muddy. We have not been drilling much for a month except the last four days. We are drilling the bayonet exercise. All is quiet in camp except some talk of going south. We expected to of been gone from here before this time. There is some talk of this Brigade going to New York to go on a fleet that is fitting out there but whether we will go, I know not, nor no one knows yet. We never know where we go until we get started nor where we go until we stop.
I received John’s letter with the receipt for the box which they sent me. I have not got it yet. The sutler would not bring it out. There was a wagon went in for Express goods today and expect it this evening if nothing happens. I got my likeness taken yesterday and sent it to you. It is not a very good picture but you can see what kind of a looking soldier I make. I had only part of the equipments on. It looks pretty hairy about the face. I have not shaved since I came in the service.
I sent my old overcoat home or rather to Millroy to Graff & Thompkin’s store. If John sends with Todd, he can bring it over to him. We have drawn new coats and the old ones were too good to throw away. The Express on them were about seventeen cents apiece. I also sent $40 with Ira Thompson and if Mr. Todd was there, he knows to send it over to John or William to keep for me.
If we move from here, I have some more things which I intend sending home but can’t spare them until we move or the weather gets warmer. I must close for the present by sending my love to all enquiring friends. I remain as ever your affectionate son, — Robert Baird
Letter 10
Camp Griffin
January 15, 1862
Dear Brother,
I seat myself this afternoon to drop you a few lines in answer to your letter which I received several days ago. There is nothing of much importance to write about at present—only that I am well at present. There is more sickness in our company at present that there has been for a long time. There is several cases of measles. It makes them very sick. There is twelve on the sick list at present but none of them dangerously ill.
We got our dress coats yesterday and are getting new guns. They are to be Austrian Rifles with the sword bayonet. The ones we have now are the old musket and they are condemned not fit for service. The Colonel told me last night that we would get new equipments with our guns and new caps and he wanted the regiment to get new overcoats.
There is some talk of this Division going on Burnside’s Expedition to New Orleans. Whether or not we can’t tell as yet. I saw it in one of the daily papers. They are moving all the sick from our hospital to Washington at any rate. The 47th Regt. are goin to start on Tuesday to Florida. Nicholas Ford was over this morning to see me. They have everything ready to start. U wish we would get on the fleet. It would be a nice trip.
I received the stamps that Father sent in your letter. They are a scarce article here. They don’t bring many but here there is nothing to make on them as they dare not sell them for more than they pay for them. We get fresh bread twice a week now. We had been living pretty well since the boxes commenced coming. There is four boxes came to our tent. I have helped eat three turkeys since Christmas. If you send anything to me, send some apples and some sausage as they are easy cooked and taste good down here. We get plenty to eat here but a little change tastes good.
I finished the butter this morning that Hannah sent me. It went well and was pretty good. I want you to write oftener as I am always anxious to hear from Father. Tell him that I [am] very much obliged to him for sending me the stamps. My respects to Hannah and the children and all enquiring friends. From your brother, — Robert
Letter 11
Camp Griffin
February 3, 1862
Respected Brother,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines in answer to your letter which I received last evening. I had been looking for some time for a letter from home. I received the receipt for the box you sent me. I have sent with the sutler for it. I expect he will bring it out tomorrow if he has not too much load. I was afraid we would be gone from here before the box would arrive but we know no more now than we did two weeks ago when we wil move. I think the way they are fighting us out that we will go on a fleet. We have drawn new clothes. I sent my old overcoat to Millroy [?] with several more in a box. They have landed safe. The Captain is at Mr. Graff & Thompson’s Store. I understand the Express amounts to fifteen cents apiece. If you see Mr. Todd and send with him, you can get the coat. It will make a good wagon coat for you.
When we move from here, I intend sending a blanket and some more clothes home. It is a pity to throw them away for they are good yet. There was several of the Valley folks down here last week to see us. I sent $40 home with Ira Thompson for me. He said if Todd was over there when he went home, he would send it over with him. It was the best chance I could get to seduce all the money. I told him if Todd was not there, he should keep it till you or William could call for it. William received the other I sent home.
We have had ver unpleasant weather for the last month. It has raised every other day for a month and the roads are very muddy. We don’t drill any since the wet weather has set in. All we do is to get as much wood as will keep us dry. We have a stove for every tent. We furnish such things ourselves. When we move from here, there will be a grand lot of stoves left for we can’t take them along. If we don’t go far, I intend to strap mine on my knapsack and take it along.
Give my love to all the rest. I want you to write oftener for I am always anxious to hear from home. As you don’t write very long letters, write often. My love to all inquiring friends. Has Hannah received the letter I wrote to her? I will close for the present expecting to hear from you soon. From your affectionate brother, — R. Baird
N. B. Direct as before and if I am gone it will follow me.
Letter 12
Camp Griffin
February 12, 1862
Dear Niece,
After some delay, I seat myself to answer your very welcome letter. I received the box which was sent me last night, I had a good deal of trouble getting it out of the city but there was nothing spoiled but the chickens. They were all moldy. We had some of the sausage for breakfast. It tasted right good. The apples and cakes are all good and are a treat for us for such things are very scarce here. The mittens I gave to one of my mess mates.
Nicholas has left here. I have not heard from him since he left here. We are still in the old camp yet. I can’t say whether we will leave or not. There is still some talk of our going but there is so many reports gets up we can’t tell whether w will go until we get started. The weather has been very unpleasant for a month or so. We are drilling the bayonet exercise now and it keeps me pretty busy for the Captain has ben sick for two months and when the Lieutenant is on duty, I have the company to drill. I have it to learn and then teach it to them.
There has ben a great many citizens from the Valley to see us this winter. I saw Mr. Weares from M____burgh. Mr. H___ and Mr. Wearer from below Bellefonte this week. I think they went home yesterday. There is a Mr. Beck from Milley’s here now. He has been here for a week and is going to stay another week with us. He is a brother of Aggie’s.
We had a Brigade drill yesterday—the first for six weeks. There is not very much news here to write about now. I suppose Mr. Featers feels large since he [ ] the McElroy’s…[remainder illegible]
Letter 13
Camp No. 2 in the field
March 22, 1862
Dear Brother,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. We have been moving around since I last wrote to you. There was an advance made a week ago on Centreville, Manassas and Fairfax. The whole Army of the Potomac moved at once. The Rebels left their fortifications and fled and they were taken possession of by our men without firing a gun. They were well fortified at each of the three places. We went to Fairfax and when we got there, they were all gone and we put up for the night expecting to advance on to Bulls Run on the day but the news came to camp that our men had possession of Manassas Gap and then we were ordered back to Alexandria to go on a fleet. But when we got within three miles of the City, we were ordered to pitch tents and it was raining all day so you may guess we put in a pleasant night. For my part, I sat up at a fire all night. We are moved since to another camp and we have got our large tents again. We camped one week in the one horse tents. It beat all the clothes that was throwed away when we were on the march—blankets, coats, pants, and clothes of all description. We had our small tents to carry along on our knapsacks.
I sent a box by Express to William before I left the other camp with the rubber blanket and a couple of shirts and a gum blanket. Let me know whether it was received or not. As to whether we will go on a fleet or not, I can’t say for soldiering is very uncertain. You can’t tell one day whether will be the next but my opinion is that we will stay here now till the war is over and never see a Rebel. We are farther away from them mow than we have been since we came into Virginia.
I want you to answer this soon for I have not heard from home for some time. Give my respects to all the friends. Write soon and let me know how Father is gettin along. Tell Sam I will answer his letter some of these days. No more at present but remain your brother, — R. Baird
N. B. Direct as before
Letter 14
[Before Yorktown, Va.]
Camp No. 7 in the woods
April 13, 1862
Dear Father,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to let you [know] that I am still enjoying good health. We are now in Warwick county, Virginia. We have been moving around considerable since I last wrote. We have not received any mail for two weeks and I feel anxious to hear from home once more. We have been pretty close to the Rebel forts and they are pretty well fortified. They have fortifications thrown up for eight miles in one line and it is right in a swamp and their entrenchments are full of water which makes it impossible for our men to make a charge on them. The only way we can get them out of this place is to shell them out.
The first day we came up to their forts, they shelled them some and they returned fire but there was very little damage done on either side. Our men have not got enough of artillery here to make an attack yet. The two picket lines are so close that the sentinels talk to each other. Some of or regiment was talking to their pickets. They say they won’t fire at our pickets if we don’t. There was one of the 43rd New York Regiment shot one of their pickets a few nights ago and they returned fire and killed two of the 43rd and one of the 6th Maine Regiment. I have not been out on picket myself but when we first came in here, I went out to see the forts. They were most over a quarter of a mile off and while I was standing, they throwed a shell from their fort and it lit within a few rods off where I stood. I think if we get them whipped out of this place, the trouble will be over with them here for they can’t make much of a stand anywhere else except at Richmond and they can be easily whipped out there. There is 50,000 supposedly in these forts here.
I must bring my scribble to a close for the present, expecting to hear from you all soon. I will send this to Fortress Monroe and perhaps it will go and perhaps not for there is no mail goes from camp. We send some with the sutlers. We expect a mail in the evening. They say it come to Smith’s Headquarters yesterday. Give my respects to all the friends. I remain as ever your affectionate son, — Robert Baird
To his Father
Letter 15
[Before Yorktown, Va.]
Camp No. 9 in the Field
May 1, 1862
Dear Brother,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present, hoping these few may find you all enjoying the same great blessing. Everything is quiet at present except a little firing along the picket firing along the picket line. There was two of our men killed yesterday. They were out of the Wisconsin Regiment and one out of the Maine the day before, and one out of our regiment last Monday. He is one of the Walkers from Wallses Run. He lived not far from the G___ stump. He had a wife & two children. We are camped within a mile of the Rebel forts. Our men have thrown up forts within five hundred yards of their guns. We done it after night. We have rifle pits within two hundred yards of theirs. How long we will be here before there is an attack made is hard to tell.
We got paid off yesterday for two months and there is two months more due us now. It has been four months since we got paid. The pay master says if he has money enough, he will pay the other two months before he leaves the company. I sent $30 along. The preacher took the money to Fortress Monroe to Express it to Dr. Maclay of Millroy. Either you or William can get it. William stated that he was going West. Perhaps he is gone before this. You can get the money by calling or send an order for it. Perhaps you will be over there sometime.
I had a letter from Riddles and one from Robinson. They are all well out there. I have not got any letter from home for some time. I get more from the West than from home. Please answer soon for I would like to hear how Father is getting along. We have a middling good camp. It is a little swampy. We have corduroy beds something like the roads through Jefferson. Perhaps you know how they are like….– R. Baird
To John Baird
Letter 16
Camp near Williamsburg
May 6, 1862
Dear Father,
I seat myself this pleasant morning to inform you that I am well at present after two days hard marching. The Rebels evacuated their forts on Sunday morning and we started after them and marched all day on Sunday and lay in the woods in front of their fortifications all night. In the morning, our brigade made a flanking movement and came in on their right with Wheeler’s & Canady’s [Cowans?] Batteries. The left one of their forts and we took possession of it and the batteries opened fire and we lay in line of battle on the right and left of the batteries. They got a reinforcement from Williamsburg and there was six thousands of them came out in line and made a charge on our brigade. There were only three regiments of us—the 5th Wisconsin, 6th Maine, and three companies of out of the 33rd New York Regiment. We retreated about twenty rods and about faced and when they came within five hundred yards, we opened fire on them. The battle just lasted three quarters of an hour. They then retreated back into their forts. It was a terrible sight to see the killed and wounded on the field. I helped to carry some of them off the field, some with their legs shot off.
There was only one killed out of our regiment, three of Maine, 16 out of Wisconsin Regiment, and about one hundred wounded while there loss was about five hundred killed & wounded and a large amount of prisoners taken. Perhaps you have seen the official account by the papers before this reaches you. Our company had to stand picket all night in front of their forts and I along with the rest, and I feel pretty sleepy today after losing two night’s sleep. The Rebels have all left this place and we are going to follow after so I have not time to write much at present. I will write as soon as we get stopped to camp. Perhaps we will start this morning. My respect to all. From your affectionate son, – R. Baird
Letter 17
Camp no. 14 in the Field
May 17, 1862
To John Baird, dear brother,
I received your letter yesterday and reply without delay. We are all getting along pretty well but have very warm weather here at present. We are encamped on what is called the Lee’s Farm [White House]. It is where George Washington got his wife. It is the best farm I have seen in Virginia. There is about 150 acres in wheat in one field. It is coming out in blossom. We are drilling in it today about 4,000 troops. It is hard to tramp the grain down Lee, that owns the farm, is Colonel in…
…day after the battle [of Williamsburg]. There was heavy losses on both sides. Our regiment escaped well. There was only one killed and one wounded. One regiment lost heavy. There was one regiment went in with nine hundred and they only had three hundred left. Our Brigade only lost about one hundred men while the Rebel loss was seven hundred and fifty. We came in on their right flank and they made a charge on us but we held our position and made them retreat. I saw some of the wounded and prisoners after the battle. They said it was the first battery that they ever saw supported by sharp shooters. They don’t like our guns. I always thought it would put a terror in a person while in a battle, but after the first fire, they don’t think anything about it. But the hardest sight…
…a decided advantage of our ___ and understand between this and Richmond. We are now 23 miles of their railroad. Their fortifications are nine miles this side of Richmond. I expect we will make a forward move before long. There is about 50,000 men on this one place on the Lee Farm. There is very little corn planted here but what is planted is up four inches. We are close to the Pamunky River. The gunboats are up this far and we get our provisions brought up the river. I suppose there is great rejoicing up there about the Merrimac being blown up. Well, I have nothing more particular to write for you get the news faster than we do. I would like to have some of the county papers please.
I wrote you last week but I write more than I receive. Have you received the money I sent? It is in Millroy at Dr. Malley’s. Let me know soon. Direct to Washington as before. No more at present. Give my love to Hannah and the children. I remain your affectionate brother, — Robert
Letter 18
Camp 19 on the Chickahominy Creeks
May 25, 1862
John Baird, dear brother,
It is with pleasure I seat myself this pleasant morning to answer your very welcome letter which I received several days ago. It found me well and I hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same great blessing. We are now within 7 miles of Richmond encamped along the Chickahominy Creek. The Rebels have all the bridges burnt along the creek and it is very swampy on both sides which makes it difficult for our troops to cross. We can [see] their troops on the opposite side of the creek. It is stated that they have a very strong force between this and the City. We are building bridges along the creek and will make an advance.
We have orders to have three days rations in our haversacks and to be ready to march at a moment’s warning. We have to leave our knapsacks behind and take sixty rounds of ammunition with us. There is no wagons to cross the creek until ordered. There was an order read to each company that there was to be no retreating in the Union army or something to the same purpose. I expect if they stand, there will be some pretty hard fighting done between this and Richmond. There was heavy cannonading on our right and also heavy musketry firing. The reporters say that Stoneman has crossed the creek. I understand there was a heavy loss on both sides but our men made them retreat leaving everything behind them. If it is correct that he is across, we will go soon—perhaps today.
I received the stamps you sent me and am very much obliged to you for sending them. I wrote to [niece] Em a few days ago and gave her all the news. I received a letter from [cousin] D[avid] W. Baird last evening. He is in Louden, Cedar county, Iowa, and is a squire and post master. Both him and his wife is both well. I also had a letter from Robinson’s Mary and the friends are all well in Stephenson County. Give my love to Father and Hannah and the children and all enquiring friends. Write soon for I am always anxious to hear from Father. Direct as before. Yours respectfully, — R. Baird
Spared & Shared 23 