This letter was written by James Madison Campbell (1840-1891) of Selma, Liberty Township, Delaware county, Indiana. His parents were Samuel Graham Campbell (1797-1873) and Elisabeth Goings (1804-1882). He wrote the letters to his older sister, Jane Campbell (1835-1906). James enlisted as a musician in Co. K, 19th Indiana Infantry on 29 July 1861. He mustered out as a corporal on 28 July 1864 after three years service. The 19th Indiana was, of course, part of the famed Iron Brigade or “Black Hat” Brigade during the Civil War.

Serving with him in the same company was his older brother, William Harrison Campbell (1838-1912), who also wrote several letters home. They can be found at—1861-62: William Harrison Campbell to Jane Campbell.

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

Fort Baker, Virginia
September 22, 1861

Dear Sister,

I received yours of the fifteenth instant and was sorry to hear that you was so uneasy about Will and I. Will got here last Tuesday week and on Wednesday following he went out with us to the fight but unfortunately we were too late by about two minutes to get into the fight for it was over before we got there though there were several shots fired from the cannon after we got on the ground where they were fighting.

A word of explantation with regard to the fight. In the morning there was five companies of our regiment went to the town of Lewinsville in company with the 3rd Vermont on a kind of scouting expedition and after they had finished their work and started back to the camp and had not come but a short distance when the Rebels opened fire on them from the brush and thickets where they were concealed. Our men immediately returned the fire and fired several rounds but to little effect, when there was a brass 32-pounder brought on the field and opened fire on the Rebels and the first shot struck one of the caissons and knocked it off the wheels and killed nine men. They fired twice at the artillery, then turned it and fired in another direction at a cavalry company and made great destruction among them.

The number of Rebels killed was about thirty and a great many wounded. Our loss was four killed and five wounded (some say seven). There was some firing last night among the pickets and we hear this morning that there was a Captain in the California Regiment killed ¹ and four Rebels also. This is about all the fighting that has been here that I know of.

There is a great deal of sickness among the soldiers at present and been several deaths but there has been no deaths in Co. K but several sick and not dangerous. Capt. Williams is getting better. Ben Harter is about well again. Will Orr is better. Crack East is well. James Goings is better. Brother Will is well and I am as stout and hearty as a buck and can jump twice as far, I expect. Our boys are all getting better. You need not be uneasy about us for we are as safe here as if we were at home. No more at present, — J. M. Campbell

Tell Marthy Black if she wants to kiss me, I will give her an opportunity when I come back.

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¹ Capt. James W. Lingenfelter (1836-1861) of Co. B, 1st California Regiment was killed in the skirmish near Lewinsville, Fairfax county, Virginia, on 21 September 1861. At the time of his death, Cap. Lingenfelter was in command of a scouting party, when finding himself surrounded by a body of rebels, and scorning to retreat, he was shot in the head and immediately killed.