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Camp near Waterloo
August 2nd 1862
Dear Mother
I received your letter mailed the 25 the 28 & the one maled 28 I got the 31. I think they begin to come more regular now. I have been so buisy that I havent had hardly time to write or any thing else. Our Sargents are all sick except the orderly & there is 3 of the Corprals sick, John Reed, Seth Wheeler & Ed Thompson, so that it makes the other 5 Corprals have all the Sargents duty to do & theirs to. I was Sargent of the guard night
before last & last night on picket. We are on picket now but expect to be relieved in a hour or two then we shall go back to camp & have no more duty to do to day untill Dress parad. I am well as usal. Tough & Black as the Ace of Spades. There is a good many of the Boys that are sickly that dont stand the Southern climate verry well. But I am as tough as I ever shall want to be. There is no such a thing as taking cold here. I have laid on the
bar ground all night with nothing over me & sleep as sound as a log. I wake up in the morning and jump like a Buck. I keep my over coat & I have got two peces of tent so I have all the Bed clothing I want to carry or sleep on. Pa you remember Leushus Lute Hickey? The Poor fellow is done with his soldering. He died last Monday at Warrington. He was taken sick when we was on picket (before this time) & was sick a week or two. I dont know what was the matter with him. As soon as ever he eat any thing he would
throw it up & they could keep nothing in his stomach. I heard last night that we should not have any more male. But I guess that ant so. But if that should be the case, I dont want you to worry nor fret your self for I am just as capibal of taking care of my Self as any body else, as far as taking care of ones self is concerned. I think We shall move a gan in a few days. I dont care a cent. I had as leave be Marching around the country as not. I am perfectly at home any where where the Reg. is. If they go to Richmond I
shall be one among them. (So I will) & if they stay here I am here too. I dont much expect we shall ever go to Richmond. I think we shall have a fite with old [Stonewall] Jackson before we see Richmond.
Camp near Waterloo
August 2 1862
Sister Mati
I have gust been out to wash my shirt. The solders mode of washing is to take a piece of hard soap and their shirt and go to the creek and stick their shirts into the watter and soak it untill it gets wet, and then rub on the soap. Then take the shirt between your two fists and rub it, and ring it, twist it, untill it is clean eneough and then take it out and ring it, then swing it acrost your arm and start for the Camp. And when you get there gust throw it acrost the top of your tent and let it dry, and it does verry well without ironing. And the mode of cooking our Grub is similar only more Syantifick that is done acording to the motions. I have got a little frying pan that I carry around with me Buckled onto my haversack and when I get Hungry I take a piece of Salt Hos or pig and put it into my spider and set it over the fire and cook it (you know). And then the next motion is to take some hard crackers & Bite & Bite untill I get a chunk and then Chaw & Chaw untill I get it smashed. Wall I keep on after that sort of fashion untill I get my supper eat. ... I Boil some Coffey in my kint Pup [tin cup?]& put in some shuger & drink it down.
I had a Bulley Dinner yesterday while we was on Picket. Orderly Bushnal [Sgt. James H. Bushnell] & I went off about 2 miles from our head quarters to an old Secesh Farmer and we called for some Dinner. The old Lady told us she reckoned we could have some. So she and her Darter [daughter] Betsy went to work and got us a tip top dinner. They had about a half a dozen little Darkes to wate on the table. One had a plate of Baked Lamb, & another a Plate of How [hoe] cake, and one with one thing & a with another and the Chief of all was a little Clem about 8 years of age Stood by the table with a great fan made of the long feathers of Pecocks and kep the Flies off of the table and faned us so that we wouldn’t faint while we was eating. I expected that both of us would Faint for little Betty sat and looked at us with out winking once in 5 minets all the time we was eating our dinner. After we had got ready to go we gave the old man 25 cents a piece then we left for Camp. The old Lady was verry ancious to have us call a gain. We told her we would be verry happy to call a gan. But as we should be called in in the morning it would not be convenient for us to call agan. So we bid them good day and went back to head quarters. We stade there untill this morning about 10 oclock when we was called into Camp.
[on same sheet] August Sunday 3 / 62
I guess I will try and finish this little short letter this morning While I have a chance. Wall I got up this morning feeling like a Stear in the Corn & cleaned up my old Shooting Iron & got ready for inspection. We have to have an inspection evry Sunday Morning. I Wanted to go & get my likness taken to day But I cant get a pass. There is but one artist around any where that I know of and he is over to Water Loo about 2 miles from here & I cant get there without a pass from Gen. [Abram] Duryee (maybe I can get one to Morrow). Fayett [Firman] is well. He told me this morning that he had a letter from his folks & they said that B. P. [Russell] was a coming back & was a going to resign, & he said he was a going to go home with him. The rhumor that was a bout us not having any mail was a Camp yarn. We shall have our mail regular. So Capt. White Side [Richard Whiteside] told me. Mr. [Lewis] Rust is on guard to day. Mr. [Cephas] Childs is well. But I guess he had rather be at home. But he says nothing a bout it. Mr. [William] Chapman is geting along with his Wound first rate. He Walked down from the
hospital this morning & back again. (It is Perhaps 20 rods) He thinks he will be well in a short time. John Reed is here. He has got the rhumatism so that he dont do any thing. Abner Marvin is loafering around. He went down to the creek yesterday & went in Swimming & left his pants on the ground & while we was all in the water some fellow from the 107 Pv [107th Pennsylvania Infantry] took 21 dollars out of his pockets. That is too bad for Abner. I am afraid his little Widow will not like that verry well. I want you to write an answer to write an answer to this and tell me evry thing you can think of. How you engoyed your visit over to Mr Cooks & how evry body does & what they say, & what they think &c &c. Tell Montrose [Adrian’s brother] he hadent better enlist. If he is drafted he will have to go. But it is no fun to be a Solder. But I never have been Sorry that I enlisted. I think if I live through it it will be as good for me as 3 years schooling. Tell Pa little Rubin Harrington asks about him. Evry time I get a letter from home he says he wishes the old Gent [Alcander Fay, Adrian’s father] had come along with us. Tell Pa & mom to write as often as they can & you too.
from A Fay
Then I havent said any thing about Chas & Asa & Fannie & Hen [Adrian’s siblings]. Wall tel them to take care of my gun dog & old fiddle & feed the Chickens & Pigs. Tell Sam if I had hold of him I would shake the ... out of him
August 7th / 62
Dear Mother
I received a letter from you last night maled the 5th (yours & Marys to geather). We are on the march for the field of Battle I expect. We marched yesterday from a bout 2 miles the other side of Cullpeper & We passed through Cullpeper & about 5 miles towards Gordonsville. They say there is a lot of Rebels at Gordonsvill. But there is a grist of us here of Artillary Cavelry & Intfantry. I am Well & anxious to be fighting the darned Rebels. Ma I cant write much this time. But I thought you would want to know where I was, (so good by)
I am glad Dan has enlisted.
Our General [Abram Duryee] told us last night this fight probly would decide the fate.
I will have to send this in a envellop directed to Mary because I have not an envellop directed to you.
August 10 [1862]
Dear Father & Mother
I wrot a few lines to you yesterday & told you that we we was Marching for the Battle Field (so we was) They had a battle here yesterday Comenced at 4 o clock. Gen Duryee Brigade marched in a bout 8 in the evning & the others that had been fighting retired then we went in) We could hear picket firing all the time & presently they began Shilling us. We paid no atention to that. We marched on untill the Rebel pickets fired on us. But we soon drove them back. Then we went on to suport our Batery
(Capt Thompson) [Captain James Thompson, Independent Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery] But before we got there they Comenced firing on us with grape & canister. But we droped on to our Faces & let them Pound then our Batery comenced & soon drove them out. We dismounted one cannon & killed 5 horses & a lot of men & not a single man of us was killed. 4 or 5 was wounded. We are laying here now expecting a fite soon But I dont much think we shall have one to day.
I must close
So good by
from your Brave Solder
Boy Adrian
August 12 / 62
Sister Mati
I received your letter last night. Was glad to hear from you. We are still here at Cullpepper or about 3 miles South of the town. We have been here in line of battle now for 2 days. The enemy are in three miles of us. They had a verry hard Battle here last Saturday. We lost a great many men & so did the enemy. Yesterday they sent a flag of truce for the purpos of geathering up their ded & Wounded. Some of them has lain there from Saturday untill Monday. We have had no more Skirmishing since Saturday night. But we are all in line of battle ready for an atack. But I dont think they will atact us. We are so strongly reinforsed.
Duryees Brigade lays in front. If we fight we shall take it first. I was awfuly disapointed about Col Fuller.* I expected he would run when he heard the Shells bursting all around. But he stood like old herows, he & Gen Duryee. Both stood right in front of our Regt Chearing us all through the fight & Lieut Col Carl [Howard Carroll] could not be found untill the fight was over. The report is now that there is no enemy in sight. They have all Scadadled in the night. Mary write as often as you can. I must close for the want of paper. I must get some to day. Good by. Mr. [Cephas] Childs is well & Mr. [Lewis] Rust. John Reed is at Cullpepper I guess. I havent seen him in 2 days.
* Colonel James M. Fuller resigned his commission and left the regiment on or about August 15, 1862.
Battle Field near Cullpepper Courthouse
August 13th 1862
Dear Father
I take this opertunity of writing to you to give you a Slight history the Battle near Cullpepper last Saturday Morning. We could hear the cannon roaring & troops passing us all the fore noon. About 5 o clock in the afternoon We Marched for the Battle Ground which was about 3 miles a head. We got on to the ground a bout 8 o’ clock. They had stoped fighting & our folks was caring off our ded & Wounded. We Stacked our arms & had sat down to read our letters (the male had gust got there) When the first thing We heard was booming of cannon & Shells bursting all around us. We sprung to our feet & grabed our arms & started to wards where
the Shells came from. We went on a bout 200 rods when the Rebel pickets fired on us. We was then drawn up into line & as soon as We was fairly in line they had scadadled. Then we right Fased & Marched through a corn field & came out into a lot where our Batery was. As soon as we had got fairly into the lot a volley of Musketry & grape & canister completely filled the air so that we could hear nothing But the Whining of Balls. But we was in a little hollow & we lay down so that the most of them went over us. There was non of our Reg killed But there was 8 wounded. Lieut Benam [Willis Benham] had a Ball grase the back side of his head gust eneough to leave a mark. By this time Capt Thompson [PA Light Artillery] had got his Batery to Work and he soon silanced thier noys. We lay there untill morning and then we formed a line in rear
of the Batery and staid there two days. As soon as it was light eneough Capt Thompson comenced throwing shells over where they lay. They came out & tried to plant a batery. But the old Cap told them with his little Rifle canon that they couldnt do that and they went Back in to the Woods and we didnt see any more of them at all. Yesterday morning evry Darnd one of them had Scadadeld. I am Well and like soldering better than ever (But it does) make a man feel a little strong to stand where the Balls are flying all around him (Darnd if it dont) I expect to see some hard fighting yet before I get out of the Armey But if I eskape as luckey as I did this time I shuld come out all right But if I dont I cant dy in a better cause
Col Fuller stood the fire as cool as could be. He will make a tip top Col yet. I am geting tired of writing so I will quit
so good by
from Adrian
I got Marys letter of the 6th night before last
Battle Field near Cullpepper
August 14th / 62
Dear Brother
I received your letter this morning and Was glad to hear from you. I began to think you had not got the letter I wrote you. But it apears you have & was too lazy to answer it for I know you have more time to write than I do (if you only thot so). I am Well & engoying my self as well as a Solder can. But a Solders engoyments are
a good deal like a dogs. It isnt much joy in Marching all day With not half rations and then fight all night. We have had our little Skirmish with the Enemy. You have heard before this time of the Battle near Cullpepper? Fough on Saturday Aug the 9th. We was in hearing of the cannon all day. At 4 oclock in the after noon we was orderd to march for the Field to reinforse our Boys for they were being badly cut up. We arived there about 8 o clock and our men had fallen back & every thing was silent. We had stacked our arms & was resting ourselvs
when the first thing we heard was Shells Bursting all around us. The Enemy had planted a Batery a bout ¾ of a mild from us & was pouring the Shells in to us. We sprung to our feet & siezed our Guns & marched directly to wards the Batery. As soon as they found we was coming they stoped firing & throad out a lot of Intfantry in front. As soon as we came near eneough they let us have it, Snap it to Whang. But they only Wounded 6 or 8 of our men. We fired on them & drove them back then we Marched up in rear of our Batery & they began shelling us a gan. Then our little Batery comenced playing on them
& in 15 minets we stoped their noys. But the shells flew all around us But didnt hurt any of us. We lay there untill morning then the Capt of the Battery (Capt Thompson) went over there & found one of their cannons nocked to peaces. 14 ded horses & 2 Lieut & quite a number of privates that we had killed. One of the Lieut had his head shot off. The old Capt. said he must be a darn fool to put his head in the way to try to stop one of them Shells. Well I havent had a verry hard time of it to what some have. But if I was at home I guess I should stay there for all joined to what we call War. We are here near the Battle Field. I dont know how long we shall stay here. I hope not long. We are expecting to leave here evry day.
Our little fight was in the night after the heavy Battle in the after noon. Sunday morning they Buried some of their ded & left leaving a lot of ded on the field un Burried. Our men are chasing them. (Bulley for us)
Write soon & tell me all about the Gals.
Yours with Brotherly Afections.
Adrian Fay
Rapadan River
August 16th [1862]
Dear Sister Mati
I received your letter of the 10 & 11 to day. Was verry glad to hear from you. I havent much news to tell you this time. But I thought I would write a little to let you know where I am keeping my self. We are on the Banks of the Rapadan River. They say old Jackson is over the other side 6 or 8 miles from us. We shall have to give him a cleaning out soon I think.
They say he is strongly fortified. But let the 105 meet him & he will Scadadle. We passed over the Battle ground yesterday on our way here (of all the sits) [sights]. The old rascal hadent Buried all of his ded yet. Oh he is a lucky old Skunk. I saw some that they had pretended to Bury but their feet & hands were sticking out. Col. Fuller has resined & gon home. Lieut Col. Carl [Howard Carroll] is our Col. now. B. P. [Russell] came back the other day. I dont know wheather he will stay long or not. I hant had no chance
to talk with him yet. Wall I shall have to leave so good by
from Add
Monday morning Aug 25th [1862]
Pa did not get a chance to write yesterday & he has got so much to do today he thinks he cant get time to write now but will write soon. It is such a job for him to write he will put it off as long as he can. I worked for Mrs Charley Pearce last week. I am awful tired. I had to work awful hard. Ma has told you all the news So I havent much to write. We are expecting Mr Mrs Bonesteel here to day. The Sunday School Celebration is this week Thursday. I dont know whether I shall go or not. Sate [Sarah Flint] has just sent up for me to go a berrying with them today so I shall have to close. One word for Pa, but is what I have already wrote that he cant get time to write today but will soon. They
are a going to draft next week. Write often.
from Mary [Adrian’s sister]
[Adrian replies on same sheet.]
I think we shall encamp soon & then I can have a chance to tell you all the paticulars of the War. John let B. P. [Russell] have his money & he will send it to Mr Carter as soon as he gets his pay. Mare keep up good courage and dont worry a bout me. God will help you.
Add
Adrian Fay Civil War Letters – Transcribed by Phil Palen
Pages in PINK are transcriptions of Xerox copies of letters sent to Phil Palen by the late Hollis Harvey Reed of Philadelphia, great-granddaughter of Adrian Fay through his daughter, Hollis Fay Fellows.
Pages in GREEN are transcriptions of originals owned by Phil Palen donated to St. Bonaventure University.
Pages in BLACK are transcriptions of originals owned by Patrick Gallagher donated to St. Bonaventure University.
Phil Palen added periods and initial capitals in these transcriptions, but did not change spellings.