90th Pennsylvania Infantry | Spared & Shared 23

The following letter was written by Richard F. Edwards of Co. I, 90th Pennsylvania Infantry, to his parents. It was datelined from Sharpsburg shortly after the devastating Battle of Antietam. It is unique for the sketches that have been drawn presumably by the author to illustrate some of the descriptions of dead and dying Confederate soldiers.

He recounts the fortitude and courage of his regiment: “Our Flag is full of bullet holes. The smoke of battle has soiled its snow white and crimson folds, but letters of gold will ‘ere we return record the actions of Thorofare Gap, Bull Run, East Mountain and Sharpsburg, through which the gallant old 90th has passed triumphantly and won golden opinions from all by its spartan courage. I am proud of my Regt., the National Guard both as the 19th and as the 90th. I wish that I had been in the Sharpsburg affair, for there will never in this war be another like it.” We learn from the letter that Richard was not actually in the battle himself but came to the field shortly afterward. He doesn’t state why he was not with the regiment. My hunch is that he was on detail with the baggage train or some such other duty.

This letter is currently (April 2025) up for auction at Fleischer’s Auctions.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Battlefield near Sharpsburg
September 24, [1862]

Dear Parents,

Again I write to you. “le mors de September touche a sa fir” — the month of September touches its end as [ ] beautifully says in his “[ ] Errant.” All things herald the coming decay. The cornfields are withered stalks. The distant breath of winter reaches us; involuntarily we are shivering here. the leaves show a faint change. The orchards groan under their heavy burden of ruddy apples. The heat of summer has departed. We are invigorated by the cooling winds that tell us of the North. All things tell of appriaching winter.

We are poorly prepared for the coming season. The regiment is nearly bare of shoes and underclothing totally, destitute of blankets adn tents, and the poor fellows have little prospect of bettering their condition before the cold weather is upon them in its vigor. The men are covered with vermin and in a most pitiable condition. But our flag is full of bullet holes. The smoke of battle has soiled its snow white and crimson folds, but letters of gold will ere we return record the actions of Thoroughfare Gap, Bull’s Run, East Mountain, and Sharpsburg through which the gallant old 90th has passed triumphantly and won golden opinions from all by its Spartan courage.

I am proud of my regiment—the National Guard both as the 19th and as the 90th. I wish that I had been in the Sharpsburg affair for there will never in this war be another like it. Still I have seen all the horrors without positively being in the action. The dead and dying, Long lines of dead fallen where they stood marked the Rebel lines of battle—all positions—some kneeling—others on their hands and knes—some peacefully laying there on that bloody field as if on some rose strewn couch.

*Sketches of Rebel soldiers cut down at the Battle of Antietam*

We still remain at this stupid place. No sigs of the enemy. The daily thunder of cannon that for the past two weeks has been a familiar sound has ceased and all is quiet. We will move shortly it is expected to Harpers Ferry. I wish they would leave us there all winter but time will show.

There are two things I neglected to ask you to send in my last. One is very wicked I know but I can’t help it, must ask—
1—knife spoon and fork—my other one was stolen long since.
2—Penknife
3—! ! ! ! (just a small-l-l) box of cigars.

Please pay for all these things out of my money, if there is any left. And for mercy’s sake, do send me just a little change in a letter. But for goodness’ sake, don’t register it. I never can get it without a great deal of trouble when you do. It’s just as safe the other way (in small sums). I am still pretty busy—everything goes on smoothly and I am quite satisfied with my position. There is nothing more of interest to relate so I will close. My love to Aunt and Lizzie, and to the ladies. Regards to all enquiring. Write soon and direct as usual to your affectionate son, — R. F. Edwards

The following letter was written by 2nd Lt. Hillary Kinkade Beyer (1837-1907) of Co. A, 90th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Hillary wrote his letter from the regimental encampment near Sharpsburg some three weeks after the Battle of Antietam. His letter contains a synopsis of the casualties sustained by the company and his cryptic characterization of the battle—“a hard fight and bloody one—such a field I never wish to see another like it.”

For a great article describing the role played at Antietam by the 90th Pennsylvania, readers are referred to David Welker’s “The 90th Pennsylvania Infantry in the Cornfield: ‘Solitary and alone, we gave and took our medicine.'” For his bravery on the field at Antietam, Hillary was later (1896) decorated with the Medal of Honor. His citation read: “After his command had been forced to fall back, Second Lieutenant Beyer remained alone on the line of battle, caring for his wounded comrades and carrying one of them to a place of safety.” The wounded soldier carried to safety was James H. Gouldy—one of the men mentioned in this letter. Gouldy had lain severely wounded in an artillery swept field, and Lieutenant Beyer braved a hail of cannon and rifle fire from the Confederates to drag him to safety (Private Gouldey would survive the war and live for many years after).

Hillary was the son of Francis Taney Beyer (1817-1838) and Mary Kinkade (1819-Bef1850) of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Hillary first enlisted in May 1861 in Co. A, 19th Pennsylvania (3-month) and was at the Battle of Bull Run. He reenlisted in the 90th Pennsylvania and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1861. Hillary was wounded in May 1864 during the Battle of the Wilderness but recovered and mustered out of the service in late November 1864.

Hillary’s letter contains a marvelous handwritten muster roll of Co. A and the status of each member.

Transcription

Camp near Sharpsburg, Maryland
October 6th 1862

Dear Captain [John T. Durang],

Your favor of 23rd I received last evening and was pleased to hear from you. The cause of me not answering your letter, Lieut. [Edmund J.] Gorgas informed me that he had written to you and mentioned the whereabouts of your trunk &c. and I thought it useless to say anything further.

We have passed through both battles [S. Mountain & Antietam] with the loss of 4 men—[John] Ruhl, [Augustus M.] Theiss, [George W.] Sutton, and [James H.] Gouldy, & [Albert] Ozias bruised in arm but with the company. I will give you an account of every man that is in the company—present and absent. We have some deserters—men that I expected more from but on the eve of an action, cowards will show themselves such and fall out of line with all kinds of excuse. The last fight, Co. A went on the field with 15 men all told [and] 1 Lieutenant—that is, the Battle of Antietam. A hard fight and bloody one—such a field I never wish to see another like it.

Our regiment is hard up for clothing and have quite a number sick. This day we sent three to the hospital—Rood, Schwartz, & Rutner. None of the recruits have reported to the company except [Emile] Coblentz. If you come soon, bring nothing but what you can carry in a valise. Don’t forget a tin cup and plate. We have none but what are old and in use. Do not encumber yourself with too many clothing is my idea. The officers tell me that a valise is all they are allowed to carry. Gorgas sends his respects. Trunk he does not know where it is. Expect in Washington somewhere.

— Hillary Beyer

Corp. Paul is at home so I have been informed. Richard Sanders was taken prisoner on the way to hospital at Manassas with a number of others. Brinker & Major are accounted for as present. We had not received official notice of discharge. John Anderson deserted in August and reported as such on 31st.

The state of Company A, 30th September. Rendered to Adjutant of Regiment. [Handwritten Roster]