KP2025.001.059

Aldie Va June 19th 1863
I guess you’ll think is extended but there is no chance yet to get a mail from here or to here but I’ve concluded to send my letter and money the first chance I get. Since the day my horse fell on me I have been in the rear of the regt. The Capt. said my horse was near played out that he was not fit for a charge so he lets me go in the rear with the mule train & lead one of his horses. He has 3, so I am not in the front here at Aldie. I hear that our regt is in front today. They were 5 miles from here this morn and have advanced several miles today on through Middleburgh [Middleburg]. The chief bugler of our regt was badly wounded yesterday but I’ve not heard as any others were. this is a rough hilly country almost as bad as Catt Co. The village here is not so large as Collins Centre but there is some more costly buildings. What do Copperheads say now the rebs are moving north? Its 3 days since I’s seen a newspaper & I don’t know what’s going on only just here. John Matthews went up to the regt this morning with rations & forage for our Co. & when he returns maybe I’ll have some more news to write. As I write at 2 P.M. there is 2 brass bands playing here in the shade close to the town. I don’t know how the secesh ladies of the village like Yankee music but whether they like it or not they are obliged to hear it. There is no men in this part of the country except cripples & old men.
Sunday 2 P.M. the 21st. I am at Aldie now tough & hearty up this morn at 8 oclock Co. L had not lost a man but some of the companies had been badly cut up. I have just heard that about 20 of our regt have been taken prisoners to day and got away from the rebs. I went up to the regt last night but came back this morning. I don’t expect to go with them again till I get a new horse. Middleburgh [Middleburg] is quite a nice town but not more than ½ as large as Gowanda. Day before yesterday the 5th Army Corps Inft came up here and to day have gone on in front as skirmishers & sharpshooters. Erastus Harris was with them. We were together most of the day yesterday. The cannon is playing lively to day and its reported that we are driving the rebs. I don’t like staying back when our regt is in battle. I know I am safer here than in front but I don’t feel contented unless I am with the Co. and just as soon as I can get a horse I’ll be all right. There was no fighting yesterday but day before some in our Co were used as skirmishers on foot & sharp shooters & shot away over 60 rounds of Carbine cartridges at one time. 6 mounted rebs rode out of the woods & 4 of our Co. raised up (they were in a wheatfield) & emptied 4 saddles & the Pioneer Corps says they bury 2 rebs to one of our men. Joseph got a chance yesterday to send off a letter with $40.00 in it but he had had it written & sealed up several days. He was all right this morning & if he gets a chance at the grey backs he will make a mark.
Tuesday the 23d 4 oclock P.M. I am still at Aldie & our forces are between here & Ashbies [Ashby’s] Gap but fell back yesterday & to day there is not much but skirmishing going on. Not a man of our Co. has been hurt yet & they have been in front most every day since we got here. Our regt has lost some but I can’t learn yet how many. John King of Collins Centre was wounded by a ball ( a flesh wound) & taken prisoner, but we retook him. The rebs left him in a hospital. The ball hit him somewhere in the side and lodged in his vest jacket. We get no mail yet nor had a chance to send any. I guess you will have a good appetite for a letter by the time you get this. I have been having some Va lamb to eat for a few meals back & I don’t see but it tastes like York State Lamb. John Matthews is here with me. He is tough & fat & I presume Sally would think he is some black if she could see him. You may tell her if you see her that I keep a pious eye on him & that he is a good boy if he is a soldier only that he will help eat Lamb if not kill them & help me hook currants & pie plant.
Wednesday the 24th 5 oclock P.M. Leesburgh [Leesburg] Va. To day our regt has marched to here & reported to Gen. Slocumb [Slocum] Commander of the 12th Corps Infantry. How long we are to stay or what is to be our business here I don’t know. We are only 2 miles from Edwards ferry across the Potomac. Our regt is detached from the rest of the cavalry & when you direct to me again put on the co, the regt & Washington DC & leave off Greggs Cav. Division. I saw Erastus this morning he was all right. I think I will get ½ doz letters if the mail ever gets to us again. I remain as ever your affectionate brother Soldier.
Kimball Pearsons