Harry Stewart
Photo Courtesy of the Thompson Family.
Dear Mother, MP<
Your letter was received yesterday and I hasten to answer. You know by my writing I am safe but the Second Maryland has performed a deed worthy of veterans. Our first march and battle is over. At 4:30 pm on the 14th we started not withstanding a very heavy thunder storm was raging at the time. Marched over 30 miles outside of our furthest pickets right into a camp of rebels calvary numbering 1,000 men. Yet we surrounded them on three sides and waited nearly two days for a stronger force to attack them on the fourth side but out troops got frightened and retreated leaving the second in an awful place for they could have torn us all to pieces. We were assailed twice by a few but we made them run for we knew the position we were in and were determined to whip them or die and that too without knowing our troops had gone from the other side. Captain Bigelow was shot through the hat and his coat yet escaped.
We had come through water up to our knees 2/3 of the way, sometimes up to our shoulders, the rain falling incessantly for three days while we were gone, swelling the streams to a great extent going the distance of nearly 40 miles from 4:30 of the 14th to 7:30 of the 15th. On the 16 at about 2 when we were almost exhausted with running from one position driving the rebels back from every place a squadron of our calvary came to our help.
Having been reported to the General that we were cut to pieces. By 3 pm we were off for home having to wade through the same road in which you could not now step without sinking to one's knees. Company A had come a mile in the advance and now was the rear guard to prevent the enemy from attacking us as we retreated. At 12 that night we reached the small river through which we had to pass. It was up to our necks but on the other side about 1 mile was a house where we intended to stop till morning. When we got there the Lieutenant Colonel placed me at an outer gate to give thealarm if anyone approached. At 2 our calvary came riding in saying they were advancing. I watched close then if I ever did. The regiment soon formed and we waited in anticipation of a night attack but no one appearing we crossed a bridge at this place and after passing destroyed it. Marched on in the rain several miles then halted and layed down in the mud and water. In less than a half hour the alarm was again sounded but was in no consequence. We all lay down but was scarce down when the long roll beat again. Another false alarm yet every man at the sound of the bugle was on his feet with gun ready. We reached home next day the 17th at about 3 pm tired, hungry, and completely worn out. I was three days and nights without a dry piece of clothing on me and fought as brave as my captain for I was always beside him. Yet, only three men are lost.
Harry
Camp Opposite Newbern, North Carolina
May 21, 1862
We have not been paid yet
