7th Maryland Infantry - Confederates Stealing Horses

Item LTR-9980

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 3 pages, written in period ink.


Rowlesburg, Cheat River, (West) Virginia
May 1st, 1863

Dear Uncle,

I will write you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along. We are all well after our long march but feel somewhat tired and sore. We had a long walk of it but, if we had got the Rebs, we would not minded being tired. But not getting them made us feel worse. We have got our Brigade with us. It came through the town this morning on its way to Grafton, a town twenty-five miles from here. John R. Kenly commands the first & eight and C. S. Webster the seventh and fourth. The fourth is at Oakland.

The Rebs have destroyed a great deal of property, both public and private. They have taken all the best horses in the country. They got one in Oakland they said was a thousand dollars and besides that, they have destroyed the most of the stores in the neighborhood. What they couldn’t carry, they burnt and broke and carried off all the grain they could. They had nothing to eat only what they stole. They stole six horses from one man and all his grain. They take from the Rebs as much as they do from the Union men. They stole two horses from a Reb in Oakland, very fine ones, and he got one from another Reb in the town to ride after his. When he got up with them he told them that he was a strong Southern man and he would like them to let him have his horse and they told him to get off his horse and he did so and they took it also, and he went back afoot.

Well, Uncle Calvin, we have come over the worst road ever you saw in your life. There was nothing but mountains, rivers, and creeks to cross all the way along the road. There is nothing in Harford or any other place you have been to compare with it. We started on Monday last and have been on our feet ever since until today and we are taking a good rest. No telling how soon we may leave here.

Just direct to Harpers Ferry any of you that writes. We may go back before long. No more, give my regards to Aunt Polly, Uncle Robert, Aunt Jane and all our folks, and Uncle JBK, Becca and Nelson included.

From your affectionate Nephew,
J.C. Robinson