Description:

'THEIR LIMBS WERE TORN FROM THEM AND THEIR ENTRAILS WERE HANGING OUT...'
Incredible content Union soldier's letter, 8pp. 8vo., 'Headquarters Hamilton's Division Jamison's Brigade', Apr. 18, 1862. First Sgt.Thomas C. Zahniser of the 57th Pa. Vols. writes a graphic letter letter to friends at the start of the Peninsula Campaign, describing intense combat and horrific death. In part: '...I wrote at Fortress Monroe, where we sailed to, from Alexandria. We were encamped 2 weeks near the ruins of Hampton...This town was burnt last summer by the rebels before they left that place...nothing marks the spot now but ruined walls and chimneys, not a house in it...I don't believe that there was a 1000 rails within 3 miles of where we were encamped. We used nothing else for firewood...We were soon awakened from our slumbers by the rain which was coming down in torrents...We use oil cloth blankets for our tents, these we have to carry with us, when 2 of them are tied together
they are the size of a small quilt, this we stretch over a pole 2 lh feet high...about 15,000 landed at the Fort with us...There were 18 boats that conveyed us. Soldiers were coming down the bay all the time we were at Hampton...We saw the 'Monitor' which drove back the 'Merrimac'. You can see nothing of her except the little pivot box on the top. It is reported she has captured the Merrimac. She was a god sent to the fort for had it not been for her the fort would have been in the possession of the Rebels as the other guns had no effect on the Merrimac...Ex-president Tyler Mansion is across Hampton Creek from Hampton. He died a Rebel his son is in the Rebel army...we passed by the battle ground of Big Bethel, this place was still in the possession of the Rebels till a few days before we marched...I saw where our men fired into each other. Our force was under Pierce and the Rebels under Magruder...There are but 2 buildings in this place, a dwelling house and Church. The former our men burnt as we passed it. We
encamped the first night where the Rebels had their Head Quarters, it is a splendid mansion, the owner was there and a few old worn-out slaves. They all said that the Rebels took it by force...It was all the officers could do to keep the boys from burning the buildings, as we all believed him to be a rank 'Secesh'...The boys helped themselves in spite of the officers to the sheep, hogs & cattle. We all had plenty of fresh meat that night..It was rather amusing to hear the darkeys talk. Some of the boys asked them if they thought the Rebels would whip us. 'Oh! No you have such heaps of people. They can never stand against you fellows.' Our bands seem to attract their attention. We asked them if they had such. 'Oh Lor Massa no dey olnl have little things to play on'...['They have all] Gone to de army. All gone away.' They left none but these worn out slaves...They blockaded our way for miles. We are now within 3 miles of Yorktown and within 1 1/2 miles of the Rebels Batteries...they commenced to shell us. So we encamped in the woods. Our Regt, has been in one skirmish. It was this day week ago, the 6grd P.V. under Col. Hays (which forms part of the Brigade) was out on picket duty and we had 2 batteries shelling their breast works...the rebel regts...made an attack on the pickets who were in the edge of some woods. There was nothing between them and the Rebels but an open field. Our Batteries were playing upon them all the time. But they could not reply with theirs for some of our sharp shooters were in some rifle pits and would pick off their gunners as soon as they made their appearance...The Brigade was called out in double quick...our Regiment was sent to the relief of the 69th the other two was sent out higher up...Col. Hays came in all haste and said that his men could not hold the batteries as some of his men were then drove in...Rebels were cheering and still advancing...Col. Hays told the boys to follow him he would lead them...Our Col. took us through some woodlands so that they could not see [us]....The Col. gave us the word and we started with a yell. The Rebels fired but one round and then retreated. We fired three rounds a piece...Our company had one man
wounded...Bullets fell as thick as hail...Some made narrow escapes. They had the band shot off their caps and found bullet holes in their clothes...Our Regt. has been on picket 3 times since we came here. We are out yesterday and we lost one man. The rebels threw a shell at a squad of men along the picket lines killing 2 and wounding 2...The two that were killed were the most shocking looking spectacles that an eye could behold. Their limbs were torn from them and their entrails were hanging out. They lived but a few minutes...There is more danger in picket duty than in battle, not a day passes but 2 or more are killed...There was heavy cannonading and musketry for over an hour. It is said that Smiths Division took one of their batteries which consisted of 6 pieces and they took 100 prisoners. Our loss was 15 killed and that of the rebels over go. The night we were on picket, we took a prisoner, hen was an orderly sergeant. He said that we might whip them here but we could not at Island No.10, at Corinth at Ft. Donaldson & Pittsburgh Landing. This shows how they keep their soldiers in ignorance of our victories. Upon this battle hinges the fate of them in Virginia and upon this battle hinges the reputation of McClellan and the Army of the Potomac...It will be a bloody fight but I don't think McClellan will prominence till victory is certain. The next battle our Regt. will not come off so safe...' Ten weeks after writing this letter, Zahniser was taken prisoner at the battle of Charles City Cross Roads on June 30th, 1862.
He would later die of disease as a P.O.W. Some dark spots and general toning, still overall very good.

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December 8, 2021 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

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