Union Soldier's Letter Union soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., U.S. General Hospital, Alexandria, Sep. 5, 1862 J. W. Mardin writes his parents: We got beat at and around Manassas. and mentions that all the boys engaged in the battle admit it. he blames the defeat on an officer named Mcdowell whom he accuses of traitorous intent, and claims that the Rebels always whip them when Mcdowell is involved. he tells his parents of the death of a friend, and describes the large number of wounded men in the ward. An interesting letter, most likely referring to Irvin Mcdowell's inept leadership.